Sad news John Ferguson Sr. passes on

[slappy69]

Former GM of the winnipeg Jets, class guy will be missed



from sportsnet

TORONTO (CP) -- Hockey hard man John Ferguson died Saturday after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was 68.

Ferguson was a rough-and-tumble forward who went on to become a successful executive.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, with whom he lived in Windsor, Ont. Their son, John Ferguson Jr., is general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2005. He thought he had it beat at one point but a second battle with the disease took his life.

"My father battled cancer with the same spirit in which he played the game of hockey," said Ferguson Jr., in a release. "He showed courage, strength, class and tremendous character. He had deep appreciation for the support he'd received from so many people beginning with his initial diagnosis.

"My father's spirit will continue to live on in all of us whose lives he touched."

Ferguson played eight NHL seasons between 1963 and 1971, all with the Montreal Canadiens. He helped the Habs win the Stanley Cup five times.

 

[DredJAw]

Very sad.

My condolences to the Ferguson family, the Maple Leafs, Habs, Jets, etc. oragnizations for losing such a good man.

 

[711ofovertime]

RIP Fergie

I will always remember his contribution alongside Harry Sinden on the Team Canada 1972 Bench. Not sure if he did any x and o with that team but he fought alongside those players all the way.

 

[Kharlamov17]

The same Ferguson who told Bobby Clarke to slash Valery Kharlamovs ankel in the Summit Series...?

 

[711ofovertime]

The same Ferguson who told Bobby Clarke to slash Valery Kharlamovs ankel in the Summit Series...?

If I remember correctly , Fergie said 'Kharlamov is killing us out there' Bobby Clarke did the rest. Don't get me wrong, what Clarke did was wrong but the players were treated absolutely brutally in Russia by summit series organizers, USSR and Canadian politicians, referees, hotel and food service people, Swedish and Canadian press, our own fans in Vancouver. They did not know that sentiment in Canada had swayed to their side until afterwards.

Players and coaches like Fergie felt betrayed and alone and they did things that they might not have done in the NHL. JP Parisenever had a 5 minute penalty in his NHL career before the Summit Series. Fergie was a tough guy and he wanted someone to lay the body on Kharlamov.

 

[BergyShines03]

First I have heard of this & very sad.He was a very classy person & will be missed by the hockey world.