On Monday ,I attended the inaugural Plain And Simple charity golf tournament, at the very scenic and enjoyable Markland Wood Golf Club in Toronto, hosted by Michael “Pinball” Clemons, of Toronto Argonauts fame, and Steve Thomas, the former Toronto Maple Leaf. The event was arranged by Bryan Green, along with his partners, David McClean, Michael Clemons, Steve Thomas, and his hard working staff, including Susan Wall, Dom Murphy, and many other dedicated individuals who created and maintain this website. There was an impressive list of former Leafs players, including Wendel Clark,and Gary Roberts, to go along with Steve Thomas. That is a fair bit of skill, scoring and toughness at one event. The golf was certainly enjoyable, even while played in a steady rain, which actually made it more fun. The most important benefit of all of this, was the money raised for the charities, The Thomas and Tallis Foundation, along with the Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation. Raising money, having fun, enjoying fine food, listening to good music, ( Bryan Green and his band……they are very good ! ), renewing acquaintances, and meeting new friends: It certainly doesn’t get much better than that !!!
The most enjoyable aspect of the day, aside from the golf, was talking hockey with these gentlemen. Gary Roberts,since his retirement from the NHL, has gone on to become very successful in training young hockey players in strength and conditioning. A member of the Calgary Flames Stanley Cup team from 1989, Roberts received a lot of accolades last year for the work he did with Tampa Bay Lightning star, Steven Stamkos. He mentioned that he is working with several other National Hockey League athletes as well. The Toronto area native has become well known for his devotion to fitness, which allowed him to recover from injuries that would have sidelined most others, especially some serious neck and shoulder problems. I’m looking forward to writing an even more detailed story in the coming weeks, with further details about his training venture. We also talked for some time. about how from my perspective, the Ottawa Senators should have traded for the power forward, as he would have a made solid addition to their roster, and provided the grit that they were missing. It was clear that Ottawa could not handle the physical style of the Maple Leafs at the beginning of the decade , especially during the playoffs. The Senators were ousted in the 2004 playoffs, by the sometimes shaky goalkeeping of Patrick Lalime. As noted in Wikipedia: “ Lalime struggled during the series, allowing the opening goal in every game, and despite the Senators heavily outshooting the Leafs, the series was tied after six games. In game seven, Lalime allowed two soft goals to Joe Nieuwendyk, and after the first period he was pulled out of the game with the Sens losing 3-0. They would eventually lose 4-1, and lost to the Leafs for the fourth time in the playoffs. It marked the end of Lalime’s playing time in Ottawa.” Unfortunately, Ottawa’s management’s refusal, to deal a first round pick for Gary Roberts, may have cost them a chance to get to the Stanley Cup finals more than the one time they did, which of course was the 2007 championship, won by the Anaheim Ducks. Roberts not only delivered skill along with leadership,but also the sort of toughness, where he always finished his checks, and whose presence was intimidating to opposing players. If need be,the former Pittsburgh Penguin was not beyond dropping his gloves in a fight, but he always knew he was of more value to his team on the ice, than sitting in the penalty box. Roberts was a very smart, as well as a very tough competitor.
Wendel Clark is now in the restaurant business, with “Wendel Clark’s Classic Grill and Sports Lounge” in Oakville and Vaughan, Ontario. He shed some light on trends in his current endeavour. The former Maple Leafs captain explained that with the drought of playoff action for Toronto teams, the restaurant business also suffers, in terms of less business. The Kelvington, Saskatchewan native surprised me in pointing out that even Maple Leafs games on television are not the draw that they used to be for bars and restaurants. Clark explained that with fans having become familiar with the team losing, watching the Leafs play, is no longer a special occasion that merits going out with friends,and spending time and money at an establishment. What was also surprising to hear from the still very popular power forward, was that even marquee events like the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the World Cup of Soccer, were not draws at his restaurant/bar. From his perspective and experience, when the Maple Leafs lose, so do other businesses that cater to fans of the team.
Steve Thomas is now working with the Tampa Bay Lightning, in terms of player development, keeping an eye on their prospects and working with players, who are with their Norfolk (Virginia) farm team. His son Christian, was drafted by the New York Rangers, and according to Thomas, the reports on his son’s training camp with the club were very positive, and he is now back with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. As we discussed the National Hockey League,the former Chicago Blackhawk, also reflected on the importance of speed, in today’s National Hockey League, in sharing observations on many NHL teams. Thomas has been a close friend of Lightning general manger Steve Yzerman for many years.
There is a common thread with all the individuals mentioned in this story. They are all, aside from being successful in their careers, good people. These are the sort of individuals who you enjoy speaking with,as they are also down to earth,approachable, and very bright. It’s of no surprise that they are all gathered together at the same place,for a common cause. It really is very plain and simple to understand, as we are reminded in the very popular expression: “Birds of a feather stick together.”