Skating with Bobby Orr

Sharing a sheet of ice with an all-time great

I once threw a puck around at the Pacific Coliseum with Bobby Orr.  How about that?

Watching the NHL All Star game skills contest brought back memories of a GM sponsored event featuring Bobby Orr.  At the time I was a sportswriter at a small community paper in Richmond, and a fax (!) came through inviting any media member to come out for a skate with the legendary defenseman.  Turned out, it was a skills competition.

At the time, I was playing men’s league hockey at a decent level with a few former junior players alongside the usual men’s league plugs (me).  The media that showed up to participate were a little shaky on their skates, and mostly just moved around like tripods.

I stepped on the ice before the skills contest started and there he was, Bobby Orr.  Darcy Rota was out there too, so it was just the three of us.  Orr sent me a pass, I fired one over to Rota, and we just played catch with the puck while circling around inside the blue line.  It was surreal.

What I remember was how stiff legged Orr was.  He didn’t seem to have any movement at all in his knees, but he gamely got around the rink. And at the same time, he was so warm and gracious. Then the other media got on the ice and the contest started.  It was basic passing & shooting, and I won it.  I still remember John Ashbridge, the Canucks in-game announcer, declaring me the winner, my name echoing around the half full arena.  Also, Tony Gallagher was a dick after his drill was messed up.

When I was awarded the trophy I accepted it and shook the hand of the GM guy who gave it to me, and at that moment felt a bump on my shoulder.  I turned, and inches from my face was the man himself, the Bobby Orr.  He looked down at my stick.  ‘Is that curve legal?’ he smirked.  I went into full bashful mode, saying something witty like ‘d’uhhh, you’re Bobby Orr’. He gave me a tap with his stick, then moved on with the event, skating with kids and parents.

Years later I produced a Toyota spot with Darcy Rota, who is another lovely guy.  He brought a puck to give to his onscreen partner, my buddy Martin Strong.  I forgot to mention our previous connection, but it just came back to me all these years later.

Anyway, they say never meet your heroes.  But anyone who said that has never met Bobby Orr.