“Fergy”

There will always be players in hockey who will be remembered by their spirit and determination long after they hang up their skates. Ask anyone who can vividly remember the days of the Original Six and they will tell you that the Canadiens’ John Ferguson was a holy terror. He exemplified the word “overachiever”. Over the weekend, Fergy passed after a long battle with prostate cancer at age 68. He was more than a prototypical goon, he was great in the corners and a fearless crasher in front of the opposition’s goal. He scored 29 goals in ‘68-69, which was virtually unheard of for a so-called enforcer. He was absolutely hated/respected at Boston Garden, an indispensable member of five Stanley Cup winners with Montréal, including his final season in ‘70-71.

His fights were the stuff of legend. After his playing days, he went on to a distinguished managerial career, first as Harry Sinden’s assistant for Team Canada in 1972, then on to various NHL coaching and GM stops. His son has been the GM in Toronto for many years. He’d never be considered a Hall-of-Famer by any stretch, but will always be remembered as a player who squeezed out ever last drop of talent he had on the ice and was always a force with which to be reckoned in the Playoffs.