NHL legends are clumsy around the house
Earlier this week, when Joe Sakic severely injured his hand in a snowblower accident, it may have come as a shock to many.
But to true historians of the game, it was just another in the long list of Hockey Hall of Famers who have injured themselves in some way thanks to some common and avoidable household injuries.
It all started with Dit Clapper, who played for the Boston Bruins for over 20 years. But while his play on the ice is legendary, it pales in comparison to his forgetfulness. On Nov. 22, 1932, Clapper scored four goals against the Deroit Red Wings, and returned home to find that he had left the stove on.
Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion was, of course, the famed inventor of the slap shot and the first truly high-scoring defenseman. He may have been the king of the loading up his point shot, but he was not the king of home safety, as he had a penchant for overloading the power strips all around his Montreal home.
But he wasn’t the only Canadiens legend to practice unsafe behavior in the home. Soon after the 1959-60 season, Maurice “Rocket” Richard began renovating his home in Ahuntsic, but failed to have anyone secure the ladder as he tore down siding. The results were disastrous and led to his retirement.
However, it isn’t just players that are succeptible to the dangers of severe injury thanks to home carelessness. In his coaching days, Ted Lindsay was helping his old friend Guy LaFleur move into a new home when he failed to lift with his knees and threw his back out.
Hopefully now with this Sakic injury, future NHL megastars will be more careful around their homes. You can never be too sa…
SID, NO!
December 11th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
This is fantastic. Where is Brent Sopel and the infamous cracker though?
This article makes me miss Big Body Presence.
December 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
In no way is he a legend (except to the 94 Rangers), but Stephane Matteau had a nasty cue tip injury that knocked him out for about a month when he was with the Sharks
December 11th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
HA. Love the photoshop of Sid. That’s why most cooking stores sell wooden tongs for when you put in the heel of the loaf of bread and its juuuuuuust too small for it to stick out over the top.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:33 am
great story … but maybe fact check … Boom Boom Geoffrion was not a defenseman, he was a winger. How would Ted Lindsay and Guy Lafleur be old friends?? They were from separate parts of the country, separate eras, Lindsay never was associated with Canadiens and Lafleur never with the Dead Things … nice story but obviously someone else. Lindsay coached briefly in Lafleur’s time but with the opposition.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Don’t forget that Wade Belak once got bit by a spider and missed some time.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:39 am
So they really DO wear their unis around the house!
Great post!
December 12th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Who will be the first NHLer to miss a game due to a shoulder strain from Rock Band?
December 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
They aren’t legends but what about Ron Tugnutt slicing his hand open while cutting bagels, or Martin Straka almost crushing himself to death with some gym equipment? Awesome stuff.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Fucking.Awesome.
No mention of the time that Larry Murphy fell in the baththub?
December 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Ron Tugnutt, best name EVER