Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “, proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community.
One of the very few bright spots to having Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada at Owen Sound postponed is that it opens the door for perhaps the greatest comeback in hockey history
Among the many activities planned for the 4 day festival was the Alumni Hockey Game at the JD McArthur Arena which would pit Darcy Tucker’s drafted team against Lanny MacDonald’s.
The rosters of the 2 teams was to be comprised of Scotiabank hockey reps, Sportsnet celebrities plus a large contingent of prominent Owen Sound players, either born & bred here, or members of the Greys, the Platers and the Attack through the years.
Among the first people to be contacted to participate in the game was Owen Sound Attack General Manager Dale DeGray who played more than 150 games in the National Hockey League, highlighted by being one of the very few members of the Toronto Maple Leafs with positive plus-minus rating under coach John Brophy in 1987-88.
However, when approached by the organizers, DeGray quickly, and emphatically, declined saying his playing days ended at the turn of the century and he hasn’t played since.
The organizers were heartbroken, and to use a frequent DeGray phrase, ” quite frankly ” they were stunned.
They thought, ‘ here’s a guy who spends his days and nights recruiting talented young players, convincing their parents, and their agents, that Owen Sound is a tremendous place to be; a great place to play hockey and a great community in which to live ‘. It’s a non-stop positive sell on the city and the organization by GM DeGray.
And yet, when requested to be a part of one of the most significant city events to this point in this century in Owen Sound, DeGray flatly declined.
But now with the unfortunate postponement of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada to next year, it gives the organizers ample time to persist in their pursuit, and it also gives Dale DeGray plenty of prep time to make one of the all time great comebacks in hockey history.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace.