Dennis Murphy to Get "Roasted"

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Next Friday night I will attend a "roast" of Dennis Murphy in Southern California. Dennis was a co-founder of Roller Hockey International, in addition to the World Hockey Association, the American Basketball Association, World Team Tennis, and more. I am really looking forward to it; I understand that more than 175 people are expected to attend, and about 14 people will get up on stage to make fun of this wonderful man.

I will write a report on the event after it's over. It should be a blast!

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Actually, the roast is at 1 p.m. tomorrow. I had the dates mixed up. Old age, I guess.

Dennis Murphy tells me that Gordie Howe may attend, as well as the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and many of the people he worked with on the leagues that he helped to create.

Again, I'll post a write-up after the event.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[rt12]

Richard, you should ask him how the new WHA is working out. He is an honorary member of their board of trustees.

[RichardGraham]

Hi rt12,

Good idea. I will. There will probably be some representatives of the new WHA there, and I'll do some digging.

Dennis Murphy told a funny story when I talked to him tonight. He said that when Gordie Howe was in Russia for a Canada/Russia ice hockey game, he was put up in a hotel with old, rickety furniture. Figuring that, because of the times, his room was probably bugged, Gordie spoke to the chandelier and said, "I'm a star player for Team Canada. These chairs are not up to my standards."

Then he went to play in a game.

When he came back, all his furniture had been replaced.

He again went to the chandelier and said, "Thank you. You really know how to treat a superstar!" /wtimages/icons/smile.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[rt12]

It's amazing how long Gordie Howe played and led the WHA in scoring as a 45 year old. He played 80 NHL games with the Whalers in 79/80 being over 50 years old! Not bad.

[RichardGraham]

Hi rt12,

Gordie Howe couldn't make the event because his wife is ill, but you're right, he was an incredible player -- and for a long, long time. I think they said he had more than 40 points in his last season, when he was 51. Wow. /wtimages/icons/shocked.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central