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willus3
Moderator
Canada
1948 Posts |
 Posted - 06/08/2007 : 09:39:59
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This is a fascinating story. Father and son meet the same fate.
Taken from Wikipedia.
Brian Spencer was drafted in the 5th Round, 55th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1969 NHL Entry Draft. When he was called up to play with the Leafs, in what would be his first NHL game, he called his father Roy Spencer in British Columbia to tell him to watch the game that night on Hockey Night in Canada. Spencer was to be interviewed between periods of the game. However, a Vancouver Canucks game was aired instead of the Maple Leafs. Infuriated, Roy Spencer drove 135 kilometres to the closest CBC station in Prince George, BC. When he arrived he ordered them at gunpoint to broadcast the Maple Leafs game instead. The station complied but as Roy Spencer left the station he was confronted by the RCMP. After a brief stand-off Roy Spencer was shot and killed.
After a few seasons with Toronto and the New York, Spencer was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. Spencer had his best offensive production in a Sabres uniform when he scored 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 1974-75. Spencer played well in Buffalo and was extremely popular with the fans at Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium. His hustle, aggressive play, and hitting ability was something the fans admired. Spencer developed into a solid two-way player. He would however be dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in September 1977.
His offensive production fell as he took on the role of a checking forward with the Penguins. Spencer's last NHL season came in 1978-79 when he played 7 games for Pittsburgh. He then finished his playing career in the AHL (Binghamton, Springfield and Hershey) and retired after the 1979-80 season.
After hockey, Spencer ran into some rough times. He submersed himself into a life of drugs and violence. In 1987 he was charged with kidnapping and murder and faced the death penalty. His family and friends, including ex-teammates gathered around him and tried to help Spencer through those rough times. The jury deliberated and ruled with a not guilty verdict in 1988 and Spencer vowed to change his life. Following 11 NHL seasons, 2 marriages and five children, he moved to Florida. Three months later he was robbed at gunpoint buying crack cocaine in Riviera Beach, FL, and Spencer was shot and killed.
"You are not your desktop wallpaper"
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I´m also Cånädiön
Rookie
Sweden
217 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2007 : 11:16:12
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Sad story....wonder if it was his fathers action who caused his violent behavior but you can only speculate.
(Time differance Pickuphockey-Sweden approx +9 hours 1min 5sek......so I can always blame it on Jetlag.) |
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PainTrain
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1393 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2007 : 11:22:07
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| That's some story, I really liked it. Do we have any more of those? |
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willus3
Moderator
Canada
1948 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2007 : 09:27:40
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quote:
Originally posted by PainTrain
That's some story, I really liked it. Do we have any more of those?
The Bill Barilko story is eerie and macabre. Whether there is a connection or not between the Leafs not winning the cup from the time he went missing until he was found is up to you to decide or believe.
Regardless, it's an interesting story.
"You are not your desktop wallpaper" |
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PainTrain
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1393 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2007 : 15:17:17
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quote:
Originally posted by willus3
quote:
Originally posted by PainTrain
That's some story, I really liked it. Do we have any more of those?
The Bill Barilko story is eerie and macabre. Whether there is a connection or not between the Leafs not winning the cup from the time he went missing until he was found is up to you to decide or believe.
Regardless, it's an interesting story.
"You are not your desktop wallpaper"
Can you put a link up here, I would like to read it. |
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willus3
Moderator
Canada
1948 Posts |
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stastnysforever
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
301 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2007 : 06:47:49
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was he really good enough to have is jersey retired?
what do Calgary and a tea bag have in common- they're both only good for one cup |
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2007 : 08:43:02
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He had his jersey # retired because he died. Just like no one wears Snyders # on Atlanta and on the canucks you arnt supposed to wear 11 (even thoguh stupid Messier wouldnt play without it) due to Wayne Maki's death.
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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Brian Spencer - An interesting piece of history 
