Hearing about John Ferguson Sr. passing away over the weekend reminded me of how long it's been since I was a serious hockey follower.

I grew up watching my Dad listen to NHL hockey on the kitchen radio, and watching it whenever possible on CBC-TV. I fell in line with the TV viewing, and this is where my memory gets a little fuzzy. I seem to recall watching Mr. Ferguson play ( but I could be mistaken), along with so many other stellar stars of that generation - Yvan Cournoyer, The Pocket Rocket - OK, mostly Canadiens, but stellar nonetheless. Toronto still had lovely jerseys, what with those blue leaves...

I watched hockey fairly regularly myself during that span of my life. Not crazy-fanatic levels, but I at least followed the game, and knew the big ticket names. Loved the bad guys of the game, enjoyed the occasional bench-clearing brawl, and certainly appreciated what seemed to be the age of finesse from the star players.

And then there was John Ferguson - the enforcer. I can remember seeing at least one bloody fight, but there must have been many more than that. By the time my guy Dryden was tending the net in Montreal, Ferguson had turned to management, most notably my lamented Winnipeg Jets.

I may have blurred timelines with all that jabber, but I was always respectful of Ferguson. I may be crotchety and out-of-touch, but they just don't seem to make 'em like those guys anymore...

Chow for now!!