The usual testimonials are being given for Bob Johnson, who died last week of brain cancer. But Calgary`s Gary Suter offered perhaps the broadest perspective.
That`s because Suter grew up in Madison, Wis., and remembers worshiping Johnson as a fan of the University of Wisconsin hockey team before he came to respect and admire him as his coach.
”He`s been a part of my life since I was 4 or 5,” said Suter, who played for the Badgers. ”In Madison, we didn`t know many NHL stars. Bobby Orr. Bobby Hull. That was about it. Our heroes were the Wisconsin players. And Bob Johnson was the coach. I used to line up to get his autograph. In Madison, he was God. I loved the guy.”
Of all the anecdotes that will pour out now about the effervescent Johnson, Suter has one of the best in capturing the man`s spirit. It happened when Suter played for him in Calgary.
”I remember once he came into the room and asks, `How ya feelin`, Suter? On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel? So I say, `A 10, Coach.`
”Then he goes over, punches Joel Otto in the shoulder and says, `And how about you, Otto?` Joel answers, `I`m an 11, Coach!` So he turns around, glares at me and yells: `So Suter, what the hell`s the matter with you?` ”
Mind games: For Johnson to have been afflicted by brain cancer is especially ironic in light of the intelligence he brought to the game. Edmonton General Manager Glen Sather considers his former coaching challenges against Johnson in the storied Battles of Alberta as a unique and memorable time.
”What a mind game it was! What a challenge! You knew when you played Calgary it wasn`t going to be an ordinary game. I think some of the interesting ploys left when he left that hockey club. He was always looking for ways to twist things and create diversions.”
Not that violent: Hockey always is criticized as a sport with excessive violence. But not even the Los Angeles Kings would condone the request to have a scene from ”Lethal Weapon 3” shot during last week`s game at the Forum against Toronto.
The NHL rejected the director`s suggestion a chase be filmed during the game in which Mel Gibson pursues a bad guy across the ice while the teams are in action.
Nothing stops Hollywood, however. The scene was recorded on camera after a Kings practice instead.
Gretzky wins again: Whatever he touches turns to gold-pheasant or football.
Wayne Gretzky, part owner of the Toronto Argonauts thanks to Bruce McNall, was on hand to watch his team win the Canadian Football League title last Sunday. McNall also owns the L.A. Kings.
”I think Mr. McNall will probably be taking the (Argonaut) players and their wives on a trip somewhere,” Gretzky said. ”But now that I own 20 percent of the team, I hope he doesn`t spend too much.”
Golden Pheasant, a horse Gretzky and McNall own, made it a daily double last Sunday for the pair. The 5-year-old won the $2.77 million Japan Cup in Tokyo.
Where`s the magic? Gretzky is wondering now how to help linemate Jari Kurri, his old Edmonton winger, improve his goal-scoring after a slow start in his first year in Los Angeles. ”I probably hurt him more than anything for the first 15 games,” Gretzky said. ”I didn`t play that well. I know one thing:
When the playoffs come around, he`ll be there.”
Kurri added: ”I definitely think we need more time together to get our game going. We really haven`t played that much together.”
Still waiting: Bernie Nicholls is saying he will report to Edmonton once his wife, Heather, gives birth to twins any day now. He`s been sitting out since the Rangers traded him to the Oilers Oct. 4.
”I`m supposed to be excited about going to a team that suspends me without pay,” he said, ”because it`s absolutely essential I have to be with my wife during a very difficult medical situation? The only reason I`m going is because I have to. I can`t afford not to.”
Nicholls is expected to argue Edmonton should pay him for time missed once he does show up. He wants paid leave time, an issue that`s been considered recently in the U.S. Congress.
A fine line: Brian O`Neill has one of the NHL`s toughest jobs, deciding when an infraction during a game deserves a harsher penalty. But the NHL executive vice president left himself open to critics last week when he ruled the Flames` Jamie Macoun shouldn`t be suspended for a two-handed stick swipe at Buffalo`s Pat LaFontaine that broke the center`s jaw in two places.
What constitutes intent to injure? O`Neill obviously isn`t sure himself.
”We are in total disagreement with the ruling,” Sabres GM Gerry Meehan said, adding that Buffalo has asked NHL President John Ziegler to investigate O`Neill`s decision-making. Don`t expect any reversals in the original ruling. Turning the page: Pierre Page was well-respected as Minnesota`s coach, and his players in Quebec now are praising him profusely after he has led them to a couple of victories since replacing Dave Chambers as coach. Page is also Quebec GM.
”He has brought a different attitude to the club,” Owen Nolan said.
”Practices have a lot more intensity, and the club has more confidence.”
The right moves: Washington can do no wrong this season. Not only are the Capitals playing well, but their trade Oct. 2 for Todd Krygier is turning out to be a positive as well. The Hawks were another team that looked into getting Krygier from Hartford. All the Capitals gave for him was a conditional draft pick for 1993.
”Time is going to tell if I was right or they were right,” Krygier said of Hartford after his two goals helped beat the Whalers 3-2 last weekend.
”(Leaving Hartford) released me, released a lot of bitter emotions and feelings. But the way it worked out, I`m in a top-class organization.”
Caps coach Terry Murray said, ”Krygier has played well since his first day in our lineup. He has great quickness and makes things happen.”
On the carpet: Mike Keenan used to call Denis Savard into his office for heart-to-heart chats, too. But Montreal coach Pat Burns apparently knows how to deal with Savard better than the Hawks` coach.
After a recent session with Burns, who harped on Savard about his play, he went out and scored a goal and assist in a 5-3 victory over Quebec.
”There was nothing negative,” Savard said. ”He told me I wasn`t playing good hockey, and he was right. Just to sit down and talk with him was great. The thing I like about Pat is that he communicates with his players. It got things off my chest and made me feel good.”
Around the league: Leafs rookie Rob Pearson and Alexander Godynyuk found out hazing isn`t dead in the NHL. Teammates shaved their hair as a welcome-to-the- league gesture. ”I really feel I`m part of the team now,” Pearson said.
”The barber added a few streaks to my hair. It doesn`t look too bad.”
. . . Buffalo captain Mike Ramsey isn`t feeling his 30 years-31 come December. ”It`s all how people label you,” he said. ”I don`t feel old. I feel effective.” . . . The Leafs are looking into the idea of starting Saturday night games next season at 7 o`clock Toronto time rather than 8.
