Jim Shaver, Sorry to hear the Gumper has passed

Sad News, eh

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.

>Hi Don

Thanks for thinking of Gump and myself in the same moment. He was indeed one of my goalie hero's as a kid. He was not very athletic looking but a real spirit in the position that I truely love to play.

People often tell me I play like Ken Dryden, I always know I play more like the Gumper.....

He was 77, smoked like a steamer between periods and lived life his way, a throw back to the past and I am so glad he is in the Hall of Fame.

Can you see the resemblance?

Gump was many things, he was a hero to a lot of hockey fans and I know they are remembering him well despite his passing.

Take care,

Jim

Re: Sad News, eh

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.

>Sad news indeed...

But on another note Jim, you'd look more like Gump if you had two letters on your shirt, a C and an H...

:-)

DC

Re: Sad News, eh

Paul D. May

>Better than being likened to Forrest Gump I guess :-)

Re: Sad News, eh

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>That's you in the top picture right?

Kidding :)

Sorry about your hero Jim. It's sad when they leave us. I've been to the Hockey Hall of Fame. What an incredible place that is. I even got to wrap my arms around that beautiful big trophy...what do they call it? Oh, yea...Lord Stanley's Cup :)

You really get the sense that hockey is nearly a religion up there when you walk through the halls of the Hall of Fame. Enjoyed it immensely.

Jen

No just a Religion.....

Mark McC

>....a season. Summer and Hockey! Hate to see the old guys go, I'm at the age were the guys playing when I was a youngster, including the Gumper are getting on. Still liked him, despite being a HAB!

Re: Sad News, eh

Mark Nowicki

>Hi Jim:

I am not a big hockey fan, but I do remember seeing Gump play . It must have been some time at the end of his career since I moved to Canada in 1972.

But, on one occasion I was fortunate to experience part of the old era that you seem to be so fond of.

I forget the year, but it must have be over 25 years ago, I was helping out on a window job in Montreal West. A modest house, a modest job, and the customer was a modest man, who, even though he looked to be in his mid sixties, looked very strong with shoulders broad enough to fill a doorway.

After the job was done he asked if we would like a beer. My instinct was to say no, since I don't like to drink on the job, but the other guy said sure so down to the basement we went.

It was a typical basement, except the bar and the tables and chairs looked like they came from a commercial establishment. On the fireplace mantle were 5 miniature replicas of Stanley Cups, and some black and white photos of a man lifted on the shoulders of hockey players. The gentleman went behind the bar, opened two Molson Exports, apologized for a limited selection, and poured them into glasses that had a CH logo on them.

It was only then that I realized that Mr. Toe Blake had justed poured me a beer in his basement, surrounded by souvenirs of his amazing life and furnishings from his tavern.

I wish I was smart enough to appreciate the moment and had asked to keep the glass.

RIP, Gump and Toe.

Regards

Mark Nowicki

Re: Sad News, eh

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.

>Hi Mark,

What an incredible experience, thank you for sharing that.

I was in my first year of University when My dad and I shared an afternoon lunch in his tavern (draught Molson's, pig's knuckles and sour kraut), we even got to meet him as well...I really enjoyed hearing your story.

Take care,

Jim