The Rise, Fall, Redemption and Tragic Death of Jacques Richard
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- čas přidán 9. 06. 2021
- Jacques Richard was considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of Quebec junior hockey. In 1972, he was the #2 overall pick in the NHL draft (Atlanta Flames) and appeared on the fast track to big league stardom.
But his incredible talent masked a decedent and dangerous lifestyle that would cause his career to unravel almost before it began.
After a near decade of uninspired play and long stretches in the minor leagues, Richard re-emerged from a haze of alcohol and drug abuse to stage one of the most unlikely and extraordinary comebacks in NHL history with the Quebec Nordiques.
This is the story of Jacques Richard -- his rise ... fall … redemption …. And his ultimate descent into the fiery pits of a personal hell.
www.prohockeyalumni.org
Narrated by Mark Willand
#quebecnordiques #atlantaflames #hockeyhistory
Copyright Disclaimer
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for Fair Use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and more. No copyright infringement intended. - Sport
I miss the Quebec Nordiques and I am a Leafs fan. I loved Quebec. Plz give them a franchise back
bring 'em back!
It's just not feasible I afraid to say
Not with American businessmen at the helm. Canada is barely tolerated. Quebec? Impossible that right wing capitalists from Murica would let them have a team again. Not when they can put a team in Houston or Charlotte.
Naaah… much better to have zombie franchise playing in a rural arena outside a town that doesn’t give a crap. Who needs another team with state-of-the-art facilities and rabid fans in a genuine hockey town…
Seriously, it’ll have to wait until Bettman goes away. I can’t wait. (I’m a Habs fan, and I guess we need a close by rival to have a good team again).
@@BigPatViggenArizona has no business still having a team, I can’t understand why they wouldn’t rather relocate to Quebec or really anywhere where the fan base would be much better.
I just found this channel. Not even a big hockey guy casual fan at most, these stories are so well done can't stop watching
I appreciate your kind words … I’m happy that you find value in these stories 🔥
@@ProHockeyAlumni fg
Some of us cannot escape our demons. R.I.P. I hope your daughter has/is having a good life & remembers Jacques well.
Im definitely more of a casual hockey fan. But I love you videos. Just found your channel a few days ago and its become one of my favorite channels and because I dont know alot about Hockey, all of these stories are new to me. Your videos are succint and super entertaining. Thanks for the great content man.
Thanks, Brendan ... You made my day and I greatly appreciate your feedback!
If you look at the top 10 scorers in the NHL by season, you notice this Jacques Richard with 103 pts in 1980-81 in the middle of nowhere (he never came close in any of his other seasons) so I always wondered "what was the deal with this guy?" as this was before my time. Glad I finally got an answer!
Good comment ... I’m glad that info was helpful ... thx!
Guy Lafleur said it best about Jacques, he had all the talent but his achilles heel was that he was content with just being okay.
And yet he probably lived a lot more enjoyable life than those that never live loose.
@@AshtrayAnnie Um, what? I mean, did you watch the video?
@@trevorlambert4226 Yes, and I’ve also known about him long before the video. You realize everyone tries to make guys like him look like they didn’t have enjoyable lives because they never fully lived out a life that could have been filled with ‘celebrity’ and praise. Not everyone wants that shit man. Some guys are happy just working blue collar jobs and heading to the pub every night to see their mates. But guys like the video maker will make it seem/look like he lived an unfulfilled life because of it. I know, some people like yourself can’t understand that, obviously.
@@AshtrayAnnie you sound like a person with a meaningless unfulfilled life. Content with never being better than the bottom of the barrel
@@AshtrayAnnie a guy who flew to Colombia to pick up $1.1 million of coke to try to bring it back into Canada…yeah that’s living life to the fullest with no regrets.
A real sad hockey tragedy. I recall Richard from his NHL playing days. Recent research in brain injuries among athletes makes me wonder if Richard didn't suffer some kind of brain injury as a young player. HIs erratic behaviour and lack of self-control is typical of other athletes who have suffered the same kinds of life problems. One of the most famous cases is that of Aaron Hernandez. After his death his brain was studied and Hernandez was diagnosed with CTE ( Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). Hernandez had taken punishing hits to the head during his young career. CTE results in poor judgment, lack of impulse control, or aggression, anger, paranoia, emotional volatility, and rage behaviors, which may have explained some of Hernandez's criminal acts and other behavior. Jacques Richard too? The evidence from his behaviour indicates a possible link.
High quality comment with excellent thought process .. thanks!
I'm a lifelong Flames fan and I think there are some players that get separated from the culture that is vital to their success. Richard had a decent year in 1973 when Tom Lysiak came in, but Richard still only had a 10% scoring percentage (17 goals). I was very happy when he at last had success with the Nordiques. His Quebec junior team mate Guy Chouinard played many years for the Flames and was a prolific scorer; had a great pro career. Thanks for putting this story together!
While Chouinard definitely had a much better career, he was somewhat of an enigma. He peaked at age 22 and only maintained a semblance of that level to age 25, had a rapid decline and was retired from the NHL at age 27. He'd be a great subject for this channel if they could dig up any behind the scenes information to explain his unusual career trajectory. I don't remember any mention of injuries at the time, and there's no mention I can find in current media.
I watched him in Atlanta. All I remember about him was watching him fly down the left wing, rip a shot that missed badly and coast to the bench. He and I share a birthday and the burden of disappointment. Thanks for posting this.
great thoughts -- thx for watching.
Had to watch this because I knew I would get a little emotional. The video was about ME, with the exception of 1) not drafted by the NHL and 2) still alive. And that was ONLY because God had intervened and had other plans for me! Thanks
great job, bro... glad you're with us!
I don’t know you, but that makes me really happy to hear!
@@troglodyteprime I'm with you man
Couldn’t explain my life better either, glad to know there’s more of us recovered former hockey players
Excellent. Remember him well. Always thought with a name like that he's gotta be good. RIP JR.
you're right ... great hockey name!
Yeah that name is as hockey as it gets
Love the stories you guys put together... excellent
Thanks ... love the guys from this era and their stories.
Excellent video and well done! It played like a movie with the highs and lows. How crazy that he finally realized his potential with Quebec that one season then it all went downhill. But you said it right- he never conquered his demons which makes the ending so sad.
Thanks very much for your thoughts . Sad story indeed. Glad you liked it!
Well...without going in to detail, I needed this today.
Great interesting content!
Glad to hear it! I hope you had a great day!
Sad tragic tale. Had to be a huge culture shock to go to Atlanta from Quebec, and speaking little English, which the south will not tolerate. I remember him somewhat with Sabres and Nordiques. Decent player who never seemed to live up to potential. Was not aware until now about his lifestyle, that ultimately became his downfall. Thanks for posting this well done video.
thanks for watching and I enjoyed your thoughtful comment
He refused to learn. That's his problem.
Sad and interesting story. Well put together mini doc. Thanks
Thanks DJ -- glad you enjoyed it.
These episodes are just awesome, I learned so much. Coming from a diehard Nords fan, I think it means something.
Very good video. I wasn't aware of his life story!
Thanks, Jeff!
I really love these stories, so well done !! I love hockey and hearing the true stories about the players who make it happen !! They are human who make mistakes and have bad luck in life like all of us !! Thank you Pro Hockey Alumni for putting them together.
Thanks, Ken ... sincerely appreciate your feedback ... I enjoy delving deep into the "human" side of these players, who otherwise often get reduced to a few sentences in a wikipedia entry.
Great work! Keep'em coming!
Thank you … close to completion on next doc. I appreciate your support!
That was interesting. Thanks.
Thanks very much!
Tragic life story, remarkable talent.
Well told.
Subscribed.
thanks for watching -- so glad to have you here.
Very thorough thanks for sharing 👊
Thanks for watching! Very much appreciated.
The CZcams channel I didn't know I needed. Top tier content. 🔥🔥
Thank you ... very glad you are here
I have just recently found your channel, and I am really enjoying the content! I am learning so much about players that I knew little or nothing about (I didn't start following hockey until the late 80s, so I haven't even heard of some of these players). Showing the personal aspects of these players as you do reminds us that though they are very talented, they are humans too. They are subject to mistakes and bad judgement just as much as anyone else. Thank you for showing the human side of these amazing athletes, great work!
On a side note, as someone who has been in the game worn hockey jersey hobby off and on for about 20 years, those early Nordiques jerseys aged terribly lol. As you can see in the photos you share, the iron on graphics hardened, cracked and flaked off with age. Such a shame, especially for the hall of fame players!
Well done, my friend. I remember his name, but did not know his story. Thanks for a professional and respectful tribute. I greatly admire honesty in people, and am glad that you included that in your profile. We all are human with our own Achilles Heel, so to speak. Sometimes, we don't learn or possess the "tools" to deal with it....I can relate. Thank you.
Thanks for listening ... great thoughts!
Awesome video - love the channel and the content/construction of it.
Thanks X … greatly appreciate your feedback!
The first ever Flame :). Great video and Go Flames!!
I love your videos bro!!!
@@landonstainbrook1183 thanks Landon!
I do remember this guy briefly when he played with the Sabres. Tragedy that someone with so much talent would literally piss his life away.
right, the Sabres years were miserable ... too bad for sure
Substance abuse is not something a person intentionally pursues.
Getting hooked on these...more pls.
Thanks, Chris ... working on a new one -- should be good to go soon ... Thanks for your support!
@@ProHockeyAlumni "70's hockey was my era. The best imo.....thank you🤟🏻
In Richard's final regular season game as a Sabre he scored a hat trick against the Rockies. Final night of the 1978-79 season. Came to camp in the fall of 1979 and was sent to Rochester.
Never to appear in a game with the Sabres again. He may be the only player in the history of the NHL to score 3 goals in his final regular season game with a team.
very interesting ... thank you!
He was in Scotty Bowman's doghouse he did the same to buddy cloutier.
great storytelling!! just watched flett video thanx!!!
Thanks for watching ... it’s hockey’s greatest generation!
I had no idea about this! Very awesome content. Definitely sticking around.
Awesome, thank you! Glad to have you aboard!
C'est Manifique!!! This mini documentary is fantastic. Great pacing. Images used well. Wow.. congrats.. this is impressive. The sports networks maybe flashier.. but what you've done here is on par..
Thanks Big Jacket - that means a lot and is very much appreciated!
Great doc.
Thanks for watching! appreciated!
I always used to add Jacques on one of my NHL Teams when i played video games back in the day.
Thank you again for great vidéo. Jacques Richard should be locked in his early âge. But his talent for hockey kepted him out of his responsibility. When he was junior, he stole cars. But nobody stopped him. What a sad store.
good hearing from you BBK!
Thanks. Good job.
thanks, Drew!
I remember him from Junior...was a great player...but it was a hard adjustment to go to Atlanta obviously...and play against men...sorry to hear of his struggles...rip JR!
a lot of players in that era could have used a year or two at University ... to young to battle grown men and gain sudden wealth.
I thought I knew the NHL but I had never heard of this guy. Too bad about him. 52 goals and 106 points is a hell of a year though.
You've never even heard of him? And you thought you knew a lot about the NHL???
@@MrKruger88 Is 88 your IQ or your belt size? toooooooooool
Were you a fan in the 70's? I had season tickets for the Sabres in 70's and we were excited when we got JR, but he seemed lost and not involved on the ice.
@@BillMorganChannel and to think Sabres had both Brian Spencer and Richard as teammates for 2 seasons. Both tragic figures.
Jacques was pretty quiet for most of his career ... then he had one big year and disappeared
His vices got the best of him. When he was 30, he looked 40. He aged quickly, classic example of self destruction.
Like Derek Sanderson.
@@fredh999harris8 sad
My first time watching. Incredibly informative and engaging. I didn't know much beyond his 52 goal season which came out of nowhere and then disappeared into nothing. I suppose it would be wonderful to see what led him to his end. I was thinking it might have been better to have gone to the Nordiques originally, but then he would have been surrounded by the people who helped bring him down. I guess in Atlanta he didn't have the experience that Mario Lemieux had in Pittsburgh in terms of a supportive "home". However, Lemieux also seems anything but wild.
Thanks ... appreciate the thoughtful comment!
@steven cooke: Think CTE, BRAIN INJURY from hits and concussions.
Although this was not a story that had a happy ending I have to admit that it was a very well done documentary. It makes you wonder if things would’ve been better for Richard having chosen the Nordiques over the Flames in 1972?
thanks ... love the happy endings but just wasn't going to happen with this story.
Richard couldn't speak English so why not go to the Nordiques, his hometown 🙄. Lafleur likely regretted encouraging him to go to Atlanta. What a story though, very well put together 👏👍
Probably a better start there. I don’t know if that would have changed his demon side though. A lot to take in starting at 19 years old. Maybe he needed a couple more years before NHL.
@@ynotttt Yes, and unlike Lafleur, he may not have had the same solid entourage Guy had in Montreal, as Atlanta was a new franchise. Had he gone to Quebec he would have been better surrounded in every which way
I've been there and got clean! It was brutal! My heart goes out to his family and friends! Hopefully he's in heaven and out of pain! RIP
Good job Bruce. You know the cost. Praying for you stay clean pal.
@@mumbles215 thx bro 🙏 11 yrs clean! Praise God
You can do this Bruce. You got this.
Drafted by the Sabres in 76...my first camp was in Kitchener...met him...seemed out of sorts at times...
I’m a stats guy so I had to look you up on HockeyDb. You have an exceptionally cool name, brother. 👍
Wow, the Sabres held camp in Kitchener in the 70s? Never knew that
@@Igoruhandchu rookie camp
No one can ever take away his 50+ goal season
I remember him with the Sabres. Very sad, but well done, video.
Thanks for watching!
Great video!! Thank a lot. Born in 76, I remember his death on the news, but never heard of him before, and after. So sad. I guess he was very stubburn to not follow great leaders like, Gil Perreault, Stastny, Michel Bergeron or Maurice Fillion. Maaan!! He had the opportunity to play with the great Peter Stastny at his prime. And be part of the great Montreal/Quebec rivaltry in the 80. He could have party as much as he want few years after. :-(
Yes, you are correct ... and you have excellent knowledge ... Thanks for sharing.
God bless hockey I love it so much ...
I must admit that this series is bringing back many memories. My brother played with and against so many of these men.
Thanks so much … I hope Dave is doing well
@@ProHockeyAlumni you know him? And I don’t know, I assume so
R.I.P. Jacques.
Very well done. Never knew of him.
Thank you for watching!
This is excellent content! Seventeen minutes twelve seconds well spent!
In hockey, as in many other fields, discipline & hard work are as important as talent. Unfortunately, Jacques Richard lacked both & had addiction issues to boot. Sad story indeed...
Thanks YS-G ... very much appreciate your kind words!
My dad was a guard at the half way home .
Excellent video sad ending to him but hopefully one day we can resurrect my old favorite team the quebec nordiques
it was sad for sure ... I appreciate the comment! Bring 'em back!
@@ProHockeyAlumni my gut feeling is Florida, Anaheim, Arizona and Carolina will be in too much debt and have to sell...thats the potential opportunity for the Nordiques to come back
Love your channel. Hope you do a video on Bryan Fogarty. What a tragedy his life was.
Thanks ... yes, Bryan would be a compelling subject.
Jacques Richard totally deserved better in life! ☹️
I coached many kids like that...they ones you influence make it all worth while....
right on!
As an Australian with little knowledge of hockey, I find your documentaries fascinating, especially when I learn of the origins of the players. One thing that intrigues me about hockey - do players learn to skate first then take up the stick, or is it the other way around? Probably a silly question, but as I say I have little knowledge of the game. Cheers
simultaneous
It can be one way or the other, or simultaneous. Learning to skate first is probably the most common, but certainly a lot of kids are put onto the ice with a stick in their hands almost as often. In those cases though, they're still learning to skate first while the stick is there as a balance aid more than anything. I have known a couple of guys who played street/road hockey first, then learned to skate later on. It's uncommon for that route to lead to high level hockey, however.
@@trevorlambert4226 Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.
Christian, hello there.. so, where I grew up, in the NE... My town was a " hockey factory" putting more kids in the NHL per Capita, then any town/city in America..and Canada.. not to mention the 100+ that played in the AHL( with long careers) the ECHL and then in the past 20 year European pro leagues.
So, my dad didn't let me have a stick till I could skate. But, by the time I was 6 I had the stick. And, when the spring and summer came. I would be out with my roller blades; playing on dry land, shooting pucks.
So it's different with everyone. But most knowledgeable "hockey towns" we skate first then we get the stick, then we get the pick we score, then we get the money, the p+*%* then the power! Lol sorry I just watched Scarface. God Bless
Water is leaking from my eye holes gain. Thank you for making this.
and thanks for watching!
Next time you want to remove your eyeballs don't gouge them out with a spoon!
As Boom Boom said he could have been a real superstar. Showed what he could do that 1 year when focused on just hockey. 52 goals & 51 assists!! Sad story
I loved that 52-goal season …. What a comeback! 🏒
Fascinating. I'm 59 and grew up a BIG hockey fan cheering for the Leafs,but have a hard time remembering this guy that much. I now recall(because you're showing it) that playoff game against the Flyers. but Richard doesn't register much with me. I can still see Hockey News photos of him in the early 70s. My memory of him is of someone who flamed out(sorry) long,long ago. Very sad.
Hey Mike -- excellent thoughts ... glad you watched! THX
Have you done a video on Spinner Spencer?
not yet ... but you never know.
Just found this channel, awesome content I love videos about the WHA. I would love a Gerry Cheevers video I have his name on my Cleveland Crusaders Jersey
Great suggestion! I'll be seeing Cheesey next week.
I was a Cheevers fan in the early 1970s with the Bruins. My team back then. The rest of my family were not impressed. Cheers from Montreal. ( we’re still looking for a team )
I can't find anything on the bar shooting. Can you give me a link if you got one?
Thanks.
sorry, don't have a link ... its very obscure ... could only find info via newspapers ... I found one report (shown in video) from Alberni Valley Times -- June 2, 1976.
@@ProHockeyAlumni
Okay. Thanks anyways.
I too found an small article but it gives no details at all just refers to the crime.
Love this channel btw.
Wow reminds me of the defender that played for the Nordiques in the 90s, Bryan Fogarty who had al the talent in the world and was considered to be the next Bobby Orr but personal issues got in his way
yes, that is an accurate comparison ... unfortunately
Maybe I'm wrong but I'm guessing if he stayed in Quebec with the Nordiques he would of had a better career. Quebec itself is like a foreign country, there is little to no English and French speaking people only make up about 20% in Canada . To head to the south for Quebecer had to be tough. I guessing his young age and lack of maturity played into being away from home, you can understand if feeling isolated one will not perform as expected.. I've met talented players who were not mentally prepared to leave and thus have fallen to the wayside ...
I vaguely remember him playing in Buffalo but the rest of the video brought new light to my childhood memories of hockey.
I remember him as one of the only Nordiques without a helmet
I know someone who played with JR. I am told JR had fantastic skills, but he was like a sophisticated machine wired to self destruct. From what I hear, seems JR may today be labelled bipolar: certainly, he had serious issues. My contact tells me all who knew JR lament what might have been. JR is truly a tragic person.
Interesting insight thx
Too bad he never received the help he needed.
All sport teams are very tough to be a part of.
But the NHL has got to be the most physically grueling.
I'd agree ... 80-100 games of full contact physicality
Yes it is
Sabres traded for him, and he had the chance to play with the French Connection (Perreault, Martin, Robert) and other French-Canadian players. However, he spent his time in the doghouse. He once flashed a brilliant end-to-end goal that showed how good he could be.
you're right ... never got untracked in Buffalo.
Thx. Btw, RIP to Rene Robert.
I don't know whether this is the guy I've been hearing about from my dad.
But if this is the same man, my dad believed he was even better than Lafleur. But would often be taken out from jail to play his junior games.
Can't have 4 forwards on one line. 😅
Buffalo had a very talented team when he arrive. Cup contenders. There was no pressure n him to excel, just play a role. A friend of mine worked in the Sabre front office, and they were fed up with his drinking in a matter of weeks. Scotty Bowman had little time for this fool. At least he did not kill anyone, but he sure did like to drink and drive. That got him out of Buffalo.
What a sad story.....
Yes agreed
This should be a movie
you're right!
Interesting. Guy perplexes me. So much talent and goes to the NHL and gets 2 goals, 9 goals, etc
"perplexing" is a good term to use when discussing Jacques. THX!
Don't remember Richard well, was interesting seeing old pics of Tom Lysiak and the Flames who was my favorite player as a kid.
I think will do more Atlanta Flames projects for sure.
@@ProHockeyAlumni The old Omni was a great arena, that flaming A logo was the best. Lysiak lived in the Atlanta area in summers after he was traded to Chicago then moved there after he retired. RIP
Tragic and very sobering.
Not a total bust , he did score 50 with Quebec.
and not many players can say that!
@@ProHockeyAlumni Although he DID catch a break by going to Quebec but being that franco and going to ATL. has got to be a huge culture shock . At the same time though ,all u had to do was have a franco name to play for the Nordiques between 80- 82 . Still thats a great comeback story . You have a great channel keep it up . With all the crazy hairball stories from pro hockey in the 70's lol , you'll be doin vids for yrs
@@daveyboy_ Thanks Davey Boy -- I appreciate it!
He got greedy, wanted big bucks after his 50-goal season, got back to his drinking and got out of shape and that was it. Game over!
That was on the Stastny line. Then he was taken off that line and he was out of the game 2 seasons later...and died the day after he turned 50. He never could get his life straight, and also spent 7 years in prison.
If only he just originally went with Quebec
When you hangout with the wrong people your bond for disaster.
Our Club took him sailing when he played with the Sabres mid-70s
Please tell me some Sabre stories! Norm Gratton once came to our house when we had a party...a very quiet nice man.
@@BillMorganChannel I have plenty. I was a rink rat and used to hang out at the Sabres' practices at Tonawanda Ice Time while in HS. I was walking home one cold rainy winter day and Bob Sauve pulled up and gave me a ride home. Also took Ric Seiling and his kids sailing in the 80'
@@daveblock4061 Wow! Did you know my Sabres drafted Ric (no k which really bugged me) Seiling instead of Mike Bossy...and Scotty Bowman said he preferred Seiling to Bossy?
Comment?
@@BillMorganChannel Obviously. and believe me, Ric lives it.
@@daveblock4061 You mean he hears about Bossy all the time?
I saw a documentary on Bossy and before the draft he said "I will not fight" and in the goon era that caused teams to pass on him.
I loved Ric Seiling he always gave 100%.
Great documentary. I would like to say, without spiritual healing, there is no healing. Everybody reading this, please know this...you are important, you are loved, you have purpose with the God who made you.
DNA confirms there is no one like you. Be thankful to God for what you have, read the Bible daily, and live as if Jesus is your boss (Lord). I love you.
@John Howard Giggles. Humility is indeed a bitter pill. But John, are you thankful for your vision? Your hearing? Your digestion system? Having food?
No matter how rough gets, and it can rough, I have seen a lot death and suffering, we can still be thankful for what we have...
Thankfulness is the way to deal with pain.
amen brother Billy Jack
@@ProHockeyAlumni Thank you so much for your great channel! I used to know the number of every player on every team in the 70's! In Buffalo we could pick up two games in Canada a week, I was lucky to watch my Sabre home games and their roadies...happy days!
He used to come to our Hobie Cat club when he was in Buffalo.
🙏
A good video. It’s only missing one thing which is probably important. Early in his NHL career he had a very serious on-ice facial injury. Serious injuries to the face, more that injuries to other areas of the body, often affect people mentally. This could have messed with his mind.
I think that's the story with alot of players who suffer from bad behaviour and impulse control issues. Concussions affect alot of people that way.
Thanks .. yes, he got clobbered by Jim Rutherford in Detroit early in the 74-75 campaign ... Fractured nose and broke orbital bone ... last thing he needed.
@@ProHockeyAlumni The goalie and future NHL GM, Jim Rutherford? Wow, did not know about that! Of course Richard's former Nords' teammate Dale Hunter got into his share of confrontations (especially as a member of the Capitals) and was sort of known as an instigator throughout the 1980s. Guys like Hunter, Ken "The Rat" Linesman of the Flyers, etc....Very tragic ending to this story for a guy who appeared to have all of the talent in the world but seemed to find trouble more consistently than the back of the net. Surely, a cautionary tale for all of the young, aspiring athletes out there....great job with this mini-doc. Very compelling and an interesting watch! Attended many Ranger games at MSG throughout the 1980s with my late father and I remember so many of the characters in the league at this time!
@@ProHockeyAlumni that is bad! I know Keven Stevens.. I meet him at an invite only USA Hockey program camp, when I was 13.. I looked up to Kevin like he was Superman! This was 1992 and he was on a line with Mario, and Jagr ..scoring like 60 goals a year. Then that terrible hit and he fell face planted and broke ever bone in his face.. he was never the same sad...
He just needed to be at home.
Also this is a good example of not assuming your 12 year old will make it because he’s the best player in your area.
Right ... hard to quantify the maturity factor
Had that one great year. But he still scored 160 career goals in the NHL. Not to bad, but with his talent and ability should have scored like 200 to 300 goals.
agreed
Same sad story
what a sad lifes end
Great guy in person too, his aunt used to live right in front of my home, sad that he could never ajust to the NHL life !!
Thanks -- good comment.
Poor guy... sounds like he struggled with anxiety or something
probably ... you never know for sure the mental state of anyone, but it seems like there were deep issues from childhood
Sad when people can't fight their demons. Unfortunately some things never change. Even with all the resources available today. Players in all sports make life altering decisions. * I've been a huge Islanders fan my whole life. I was also born and live on Long Island. I bring this up because of the mention of Dale Hunter. What he did to a completely oblivious Pierre Turgeon in the '93 playoffs was disgusting. I understand players get frustrated and heat of the moment. I don't know Dale personally. I'm not going to call him out as a piece of crap. It was a nasty hit and Pierre was never the same after that attack. *
Quite the cautionary tale.........
Its sad. He was an exciting player. I think he played with the Flower in junior..and they were friends. Guy had a wild side too but survived but its just too bad. He might have adjusted to life if he hadnt made the big time so young.
I think you are correct ... THX for your comment.
Off subject, but how those Buffalo Sabre teams of that era never won a Stanley cup is beyond me.
Montreal was too good. Plus the Bruins were always good. But you're right the Sabres were awesome back then.
@@quincee3376 I guess we can't forget about the Flyers as well.
Montreal was tougher and better!
@@ryanrips55 we established that, troll. Was just a general statement
@@peterwhite507 exactly.
You have to wonder how his career, and probably his life, might have gone had he gone with the Nordiques the first time. Obviously playing in Atlanta didn't allow him to find his groove as he was so out of place culturally. Maybe playing in his element would have allowed him to reach his full potential. Very sad.
Unfortunately we’ll never know but given his addictive personality it would have ended up the same
Agreed ... he was also a product of a care free era where harmful lifestyle behavior was often overlooked ... I doubt he would have been any more disciplined elsewhere
The fact that his life began to spiral out of control when he went to the Nordiques when he was older and hopefully wiser, tells me it wouldn't have made a difference. There are bars and criminals everywhere.
He should of started out with Quebec in the WHA, although, it sounds like the drugs would of caught up with him eventually regardless. I was only 11 so I'm not surprised that I never saw the man play. Same sort of thing happened to Eric Lindros who was picked by Quebec once they hit the NHL and he refused to play for them and chose Philly instead only to get insured early in his career. To much in a hurry to make the big money at such a young age.
He developed habits as a teenager that he could never shake ... I think his demise, sadly, was inevitable
@@ProHockeyAlumni Yes, I've heard cocaine was one of the worst and drinking was common place for most in that day and age in Canadian society.
They kind of go hand in hand but most young hockey players learn to skate with stick and skates at the same time.
1:36 the captain on that team was no slouch neither
At least he had that one great year. Wow
Freaky wasn’t it! It was awesome - and then it was gone. Thx
@@ProHockeyAlumni I remember him on Buffalo as a kid, but I didn’t know at the time he was such a junior scoring star.
So sad. What a waste of talent. One great season is all he had to show for his hockey career. A man's demons can destroy him.
Yes indeed