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Wednesday, February 23, 2000
One of worst attacks ever: Dionne
"Let's put it this way. I don't think Marty McSorley is sleeping too well today," said Hockey Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne, who played 18 seasons in the NHL.
"Television had Hockey Day in Canada on Saturday . . . and then there's always something that comes and grabs the attention. The reality is you can't have a perfect day, but this is another sad day for hockey."
Dionne was in London for an NHL oldtimers game against local police at Thompson Arena.
"It absolutely amazes me he hit him there. It's one of the worst I've ever seen. He (Brashear) never had a chance to protect himself. The stick is a weapon and now it has been used viscously,'' said Dionne, who played almost 1,400 games in the NHL.
Walt McKechnie, a former London National (now the Knights), played 16 years in the NHL.
"I haven't seen any worse than this. The NHL is liable to throw the book at him," McKechnie said.
"There's a guy (McSorley) who has been quite a warrior and it's a shame for him to go out in this manner. But no matter what excuse you make, there is no excuse. We're all shocked he did it with his stick."
Jim Dorey, who also played junior in London, was in the NHL for four seasons.
"He's in a real Cracker Jack position right now. Whatever he was thinking, it was just inexcusable. It's just gross," he said.
"He's always been rough and tough and rugged . . . and being known as a stick guy is not what you want in your repertoire. This will taint his career.
"After the Ted Green-Wayne Maki incident, they were known for the rest of their careers as loose cannons. That's not the type of guy anybody wants to play against.
"God knows what happened for him to attack a guy like that. There's no reason for it at all. It could be a career-ending deal; a career-ending example. This will sure test the NHL."
Former NHL referee Red Storey, who coaches the NHL oldtimers, was refereeing the night Bernie Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens two-handed Ron Murphy of the New York Rangers across the temple with a baseball-like swing.
"Murphy laid there on the ice out cold and they actually gave him his last rights, they thought he was dying," Storey recalled.
"We don't need another black eye in hockey like this. We'll eventually live this down, but for 20 years it will be remembered.
"I feel very sorry this happened. I know Marty very well and he's a wonderful guy. I'm firmly convinced something snapped."
London police chief Al Gramolini participated in the opening ceremonies for last night's game.
"As I understand it, Vancouver city police are now investigating . . . I suggest to you we would do exactly the same thing," Gramolini said. "There is a limit to this willing acceptance to what goes on in a game.
"I wouldn't hesitate to investigate (if this occurred in a game in London). You can't afford not to, for the protection of those other players who are willing participants in that hockey game with the understanding there are certain limits to behaviour that is acceptable.
"I don't think the police can stay out of this. There's no acceptance to this sort of thing."
Brad Fickling, convener of London high school hockey, was at the Clarke Road-John Paul II playoff game at Medway Arena yesterday.
"The NHL should think long and hard about this. It sends a message across the NHL, through junior hockey and to minor hockey. They have to have some type of fine that really makes a meaningful message," he said. "If a high school player did that, he'd never play high school hockey again."
Marlene Delellis was watching her son Aldo play for John Paul II.
"That's violence. There's no need for it. It was not self-defence. Take the gloves off and have a good fight -- then probably there's no need for that either," she said.
"I definitely think there should be (criminal) charges. He should never play hockey again."
Tim Flynn, coach of John Paul II, said McSorley has set a bad example for minor and junior players.
"It should be dealt with criminally. The person should pay the consequences. It should be one of the most lengthy suspensions of all time," Flynn said.
"There should be no nonsense that he gets suspended for the rest of the schedule and then gets to play in the playoffs. McSorley should be gone."
Clarke Road Trojans coach Eric Riley said "It's completely unacceptable. It all comes down to respect. Do you respect yourself and do you respect your opponent. It's something we tell our kids."
Joe Bedard, a referee, said the police should be involved.
"Why not criminal charges? In a hockey rink, or on the street, you hit a guy with a weapon like that . . . ," he said.
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