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RIP Probie
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:18 pm
by fredthefalcon
Former Wing Bob Probert passed away at 45 today from a massive heart attack. Another Wing, Willie Huber, died last week at 52. Seems like only yesterday that they were skating and in Probie's case fighting.
Re: RIP Probie
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:26 pm
by tiznow
My first hockey game, I was 8. The Pens were playing Detroit in Pittsburgh. I could not believe how tall Huber looked. As a kid he seemed like a gaint on skates.
Re: RIP Probie
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:28 pm
by Flipper
Probert wasted so much talent...he could have been a real force like a Brendan Shanahan, Forsberg, Lindros or Clark Gilles but instead he settled for booze, drugs and the job of "enforcer"...RIP....
Re: RIP Probie
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:10 pm
by tiznow
Flipper, you are right on about Probert.
Gillies was tough. I remember when he pummeled Ed Hospodar, when Hospodar was with the Rangers.
off the subject, wasn't Hospodar from BG?
Re: RIP Probie
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:00 pm
by Falcon Fanatic
tiznow wrote:off the subject, wasn't Hospodar from BG?
Never heard of him, so I looked him up! You are correct.
Born in BG:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Hospodar
Back on the subject. Here's Mitch Albom's article on Probert:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... ullarticle
Re: RIP Probie
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:56 pm
by Flipper
tiznow wrote:Flipper, you are right on about Probert.
Gillies was tough. I remember when he pummeled Ed Hospodar, when Hospodar was with the Rangers.
off the subject, wasn't Hospodar from BG?
I've seen that fight on youtube...IIRC, he busted Hospodar's face up pretty badly...broke his jaw or his cheek. Gillies was very tough but he also had a string of 30+ goal seasons. He and Bob Nystrom definitely made sure guys like Trottier and Bossy had space to operate
Re: RIP Probie
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:50 pm
by jpfalcon09
Probie's story is sad and serves as an example of what drugs with fame can bring you. He did much too young and left behind a family who is now fatherless. He tried to clean up his act the last ten years or so, and I heard he was progressing well, but I can't help to think the cocaine, alcohol and other narcotics Bob took were a major contributor to his death. As a Wings fan, he will be missed and he'll undoubtedly be one of the most popular Wings of all time.