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……
I’ve been watching the progression of an interesting derby in the National Hockey League as it connects to the history of the Ontario Hockey League franchise in Owen Sound.
Andrew Brunette who played 3 seasons for the Platers finished his career with 268 career NHL goals.
Attack alumni, Bobby Ryan of the Detroit Red Wings and Wayne Simmonds from the Leafs have scored their way to within striking distance of Brunette as the current season pushes on.
Along with the distinction of being the all time leading Owen Sound alumni in terms of NHL goals scored, I find it remarkable to see the back stories involved.
Brunette was a gifted scorer, led the OHL one year with 162 points…..BUT was seen to be too slow, maybe too heavy, for the NHL and thus was a 7th round draft selection.
Bobby Ryan was a gifted player, an almost ” can’t miss ” prospect, but from his draft day in Owen Sound onward there have been both public and private struggles he’s had to overcome.
Simmonds arrived in Owen Sound as an 18 year old in 2006, and the word ‘ affluent ‘ was never used to describe him. Some 15 years later, money likely isn’t an issue for Wayne Simmonds these days and it’s heartening to see he puts a large amount of his earnings towards charitable organizations and social causes.
Points aside, I saw where another alumni, Mark Giordano recently played career game # 900 in the NHL. Giordano was never drafted.
And while not as prolific or prominent as Brunette, Ryan Simmonds or Giordano there’s something to be said for Port Elgin native Kevin Czuczman who went 7 years between NHL games.
Czuczman’s return to NHL action didn’t go well for either him or his Pittsburgh teammates, but I seriously doubt he’ll fold the tent, certainly not after working this hard and this long for the opportunity.
The moral of the NHL story, and life in general, is nothing ever comes easy
Have a great weekend.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace