Probie
I am extremely saddened by the death of Bob Probert.
Here it is a few hours after the announcement of his passing, and I find myself reminiscing about past experiences.
He was a friend. Well – as good a friend as you can be with a guy who lives 3 ½ hours away and who I would see 2-3 times a year.
We met when I brought him into Frozen Pond for an autograph session in 2006. He was a good guy – I liked him. He asked me for an autographed photo of Alex Ovechkin’s “goal” against Phoenix and left without taking it. I told him I would hold onto it for him.
He would talk openly about anything – drugs, alcohol, his problems with the law. His wife, his kids, his newfound sobriety.
He told me he had just built a bar in his basement. I asked him if it was an Evian bar, a juice bar, a soft drink bar? “Well – mostly sober”, was his response.
He once signed autographs for me in a parking lot. On a garbage can. In the rain, partially covered by the overhang of a pavilion.
He was terrible at returning phone calls. I mean – really, really bad. His wife Dani often acted as the conduit of information between us. Once Bryan Trottier even acted as the medium.
He was the first person eliminated in last season’s Battle of the Blades. He was terrible. He had about as much rhythm as I do.
He toured recently with the Legends of Hockey, and had to drive right past us to get to an event in Barrie. I called and told him he was due for a visit. I really just wanted to get rid of that freakin’ Ovechkin photo already. It had been on my desk for almost four years.
He came in and confirmed the helmet we owned from the movie “The Love Guru” was in fact his. He even posed for a nice picture with it.
He scored the last NHL goal at Maple Leaf Gardens, and autographed pucks commemorating that event were excellent sellers. We did not have any pucks in stock at the time, so he promised he would be back soon to sign some for us.
That’s not going to happen now.
We’re going to miss you Probie. This was one fight he was never given a chance to win. Now the pearly gates have a new enforcer. I wouldn’t try to sneak in, unless you want to get pummeled.
As per our corporate policy, we do not take advantage of tragedy. All in-stock Bob Probert autographed memorabilia will be sold at regular price. All orders that have been placed over the past twenty-four hours will be filled, as per availability.
Tags: Bob Probert