One on One with Scotty Bowman
Nov 27, 2004 3:06:55 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Nov 27, 2004 3:06:55 GMT -5
(April 18, 2003) -- The Globe and Mail stated, "Bowman (is) a pivotal player in the way the culture and tactics of the game have evolved." A superb strategist and equally adept motivator, Scotty Bowman will forever be regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Hockey League.
Born William Scott Bowman on September 18, 1933 in Verdun, Quebec, he was known as Scotty for as long as he can remember. Although readily acknowledged as one of the NHL's most superb coaches, Scotty's original design was not to coach, but to play professional hockey. Regarded as a fine checking leftwinger, Scotty was part of the Montreal Canadiens' system beginning in 1947. By 1950-51, Bowman was playing occasionally with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and by the next season, he joined the team on a regular basis. But on March 6, 1952, during a playoff game against the Trois-Rivieres Reds, Bowman was struck on the head by the stick of Jean-Guy Talbot. "I was injured playing junior hockey in Montreal and I continued to play but I wasn't at the same level," recalls Bowman. Debunking the myth that Scotty suffered a career-ending skull fracture that necessitated the insertion of a plate in his skull, Bowman suffered a five inch gash to his scalp and took fourteen stitches to close the cut. He missed a single game, returning to the Junior Canadiens lineup to continue their run through the playoffs. States Scotty, "I was never the same player afterward. I just didn't have the confidence. I had a lot of headaches and blurred vision." Bowman moved over to the Montreal Royals for the next two seasons, taking him to the conclusion of his junior career.
- www.legendsofhockey.net/html/spot_oneononeb199101.htm
Born William Scott Bowman on September 18, 1933 in Verdun, Quebec, he was known as Scotty for as long as he can remember. Although readily acknowledged as one of the NHL's most superb coaches, Scotty's original design was not to coach, but to play professional hockey. Regarded as a fine checking leftwinger, Scotty was part of the Montreal Canadiens' system beginning in 1947. By 1950-51, Bowman was playing occasionally with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and by the next season, he joined the team on a regular basis. But on March 6, 1952, during a playoff game against the Trois-Rivieres Reds, Bowman was struck on the head by the stick of Jean-Guy Talbot. "I was injured playing junior hockey in Montreal and I continued to play but I wasn't at the same level," recalls Bowman. Debunking the myth that Scotty suffered a career-ending skull fracture that necessitated the insertion of a plate in his skull, Bowman suffered a five inch gash to his scalp and took fourteen stitches to close the cut. He missed a single game, returning to the Junior Canadiens lineup to continue their run through the playoffs. States Scotty, "I was never the same player afterward. I just didn't have the confidence. I had a lot of headaches and blurred vision." Bowman moved over to the Montreal Royals for the next two seasons, taking him to the conclusion of his junior career.
- www.legendsofhockey.net/html/spot_oneononeb199101.htm