Hi everyone! Well, Christmas is almost upon us, and that means it is the time for giving and receiving… uh, family, of course. The kids will be home for the holidays, and that means lots and lots of fighting between siblings! Oh, how I remember those old Nintendo battles my brother and I would have, constantly arguing over who would be Mario this time around. Usually, it would end up with us being separated so we could each play as Mario. As we got older we found other ways to get on each other’s nerves. “I want to watch this on TV!” “Stop playing guitar! I can’t hear myself think!” “It’s not fair! I need the car tonight!”, etc. Those teenage years must have been hell for my parents. Can’t wait ’til I get there with my kids!
Anyway, I decided to go in a different direction with this week’s Christmas themed post, partly because I found a new article I really liked, and I wanted to find a way to wedge it into the theme of Christmas. In the articles section this week, a great piece from the January 8, 1973 Montreal Gazette. I wish I had seen this article when I was doing research for my book as it has a little bit of everything. Fist fighting? Check. Head butts? Check. Controversy? Check. Battles with ownership? Check. Guys out sick with the flu? Check. If that doesn’t have Christmas written all over it, I don’t know what does.
OK, I hear what you’re thinking: “C’mon, Steve, can’t you post something even remotely positive? After all, it is Christmas, the season of perpetual hope, no?” Yes, you would be correct, so in the true spirit of the holiday season, I present to you this week’s induction to the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame. If you like glittery things, I got a card for you that could easily pass for a Christmas ornament. I’m serious, if you hang this piece of cardboard in your tree and you put a coloured bulb next to it, this card will project light like a disco ball. I give you the classic 1995-96 Edge Ice Marty McSorley insert card, which you can read all about in the Overexposed section of the Hockey Hall of Shame.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be rolling out a few more interesting things, notably an updated game-by-game summary of all San Francisco Seals games as well as the nominees for the 2020 Seals Hall of Fame, so be sure to check back frequently. Until next time, stay gold!