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Don’t Forget “Toe” Blake
by Paul on 09/06/07 at 08:57 AM ET
Comments (3)
from the Montreal Gazette,
Now that Gainey and Robinson have joined the list, the question is: Who will be honoured next season as the Canadiens approach their 100th-anniversary celebrations.
Guy Lapointe, the third member of the Canadiens’ Big Three on defence beside Robinson and Serge Savard, is a possibility and there will be a heated debate over whether Patrick Roy is worthy of the honour. Roy retired as the all-time NHL leader in wins and won two Stanley Cups with Montreal, but his stormy departure in 1995 is part of his permanent record.
The one person who has been overlooked and I’m hoping it’s because the club is saving him for its centenary, is the late Hector (Toe) Blake. To the current generation of Canadiens fans, Blake is a distant memory, the coach who guided the Canadiens to eight of their record 24 Stanley Cup wins.
But many people forget that Blake was a Hall of Fame player.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Montreal Canadiens, NHL Talk, Old School | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Gentlemen,
Thank you for the kind tribute to my uncle Toe Blake. My father Leonard, was one of his older brothers. We also have very fond memories of Toe’s kindness and patience especially with young people. He had a great love of Hockey and his wonderful Montreal Canadiens.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Blake
Posted by Stephanie Blake from Toronto on 09/14/07 at 05:04 PM ET
Thanks for stopping by Stephanie. I was a big fan or the Canadiens and remember your uncle well when he was behind the bench of the Canadiens.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 09/14/07 at 06:05 PM ET
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Toe Blake was a true class act. I remember meeting him when I was 12 years old in Hartford, CT. He walked with us from the hotel to the rink signing every picture we had of him and talking hockey the whole way. He seemed interested in our collection and said he was honored to be a part of it. He took his time signing the pictures so as to find just the right place to sign to make the picture look great. I will always remember him for making us feel as important as we viewed him.
Posted by Gregsky from Ma. on 09/06/07 at 09:04 AM ET