In the world of sports, few athletes that are retired for 30+ years still carry a special aura (pardon the pun) with them. Bobby Orr is one of them.

 

The 61-year-old Orr spent three days in Prince George last week as the lead spokesperson for the Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey Program. I had never met #4 prior to his visit to P.G. During our talks, I realized that he is accommodating, relaxed and not much different from the person next door.  

 

Last week, my column focused on Bobby as a player. Today, I am presenting responses to 10 questions I posed to him during his appearance on 94X and the Wolf radio stations:

 

 

Why hasn’t another Bobby Orr come along?  “You see minor hockey and you get a young boy that can really skate and handle the puck and you shoot it in and they are going to trap and they are going to teach systems. That’s not the way I learned to play. I learned you got 10 or 12 kids on each side and just dropped the puck and away we go. I was fortunate that I was owned by the Bruins at age 14. It was an unusual style. It wasn't a style that coaches liked or let their players play. I was allowed to do that and I was happy about that. We don't let our kids do that now.”

 

What bothers you the most about hockey? “Probably the only thing that bothers me in the game today is to see players---I mean we all have levels that we play at, and I would just like to see that whatever your level is, to play more consistently. In my mind that is a big issue in the game today, that the players are not consistent enough.

 

What’s your view on today’s NHL? “The big change is the rules, in particular obstruction. I think a large reason for a lot of the injuries is we are not allowed to help our partners. We can't hold guys up, you lift an opponent’s stick, and you are going to get an obstruction call or a hooking call. There are issues with me on some of the calls. We are a tough game, a physical game. I do agree with those that think we have to do something about the head hits. Overall, I think the game is fine but for a while I was concerned with all the penalties.”

 

What is your career highlight? “Growing up in Canada and seeing the Stanley Cup and dreaming about being on a Stanley Cup team, obviously those two teams I was on (70 & 72) with the Bruins are two highlights, but in 1976, the only time I ever played for my country, in the Canada Cup, that in my mind, that team, that event was the highlight.

 

Is there anything more you could have accomplished in your 12 NHL seasons? “I just wish I could have played longer—the last 3 years I played just 36 games.”

 

How is your health? “I’ve had both of my knees replaced so I feel great.”

 

Have you had any desire to coach? “No thank you. I think coaching is one of the toughest jobs you can imagine.”

 

Who is the best of the best? “In my mind the best player ever is Gordie Howe. Longevity, how do you want to play, any style. He could do everything.”

 

How are you treated by the public in your day-to-day life? “People are very nice. They will look ---they will want to say hello--they will talk to you but I don't have a problem in the public.”

 

How much was your first NHL contract worth? “It was 15 (thousand) and 5 if I played 40 games. But my Oshawa contract was the best one. Back then we signed what you call a C form. And when you signed that, you were owned by the team. I got $1000 in 62, they stucco’d my mother’s home and my dad got a car no newer than 56---And you know what? It was a Chevy.”

 

During a break in his P.G. stay, Bobby Orr watched some of the outstanding curling at the Road to the Roar, and the TSN cameras spotted him at CN Centre. There certainly is no price tag for that type of exposure for the city. National elite curling (which, by the way, the nearly 300 volunteers should take a bow for an event that ran very successfully) on one hand, and a true hockey legend on the other. Think about it for a moment. That combination may take another lifetime to hit Prince George again.

 

 

A helicopter was required to rescue a man from an ice flow in northern Manitoba. The man was said to be in good condition and says he still plans to coach the Blue Bombers next year.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

 

 

And you thought a lot of people were on the half pipe before.Jay Leno of NBC, after residents in (ski-resort) Breckenridge, Colorado voted to legalize marijuana.

UNLV will honor its 1990 NCAA Championship basketball team this week. It's perfect timing as several team members are just about ready to graduate.
Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

The News York City Council is considering repealing a multi-million dollar tax break granted to Madison Square Garden decades ago. And Knicks owner Jim Dolan isn't happy. Yeah, word is he's so furious he's threatening to keep the team in the city if the benefit isn't retained. Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

Bad news at last week's Sesame Street 40th birthday celebration. Oscar the Grouch showed up in his trash can and accidentally got recycled.  

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

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