As a kid out on the backyard rink, I used to wear a hockey jersey with the number 12 on it. While most kids my age idolized Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau or Bobby Hull...my favourite player was Habs' winger Yvan Cournoyer. Over 30 years later, and my homage to "the Roadrunner" continues in the Otonabee Oldtimers league - - my jersey number for Pinecrest Golf Club is (you guessed it)....#12.
So...you can imagine my delight at seeing Yvan being interviewed by Dick Irvin this past weekend on CBC...part of their series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens. 10 Stanley Cups...a team captain...one of the best skaters of that era...and a real class act (a career average of only 17 penalty minutes a season!).
He's a great storyteller too. I love the tale he told about one particular stormy night in Montreal, and just making it to a game at the Forum minutes before the puck dropped. He also explained the origin of the nickname. For those who missed the interview, here's the link:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/ondemand/?playlistId=420a65442fa7b343551416840309cbb4deef0e97&videoId=971466839
No...I don't think my #12 oldtimers' jersey will ever hang from the rafters of the Otonabee-South Monaghan Community Centre...but wearing it still reminds me of being a kid - - staying up late to watch hockey games...travelling to arenas all over the Ottawa Valley...playing on the backyard rink (scoring those imaginary cup-winning goals) - - and reminding me of why I love the game of hockey so much.
Thanks for the memories Yvan.