Fergie (not the good-looking one)

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

500 games, 145-158-303, 1214 PIM
5 Stanley Cups in 8 seasons

Pro-rated over an 82 game season that averages out to 24-32-56, 199 PIM.

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Big John Ferguson of the Montreal Canadiens was reviled as no other non-holocaust-related human had ever been. He was an Anglo who played for Montreal. To make matters worse he could beat the bejabers out of anyone in the league and did so with regularity. This was a combination that made every Toronto VS Montreal game a must in every Canadian household. Someone had to knock the arrogance out of that quisling Ferguson. Nobody ever did.

- www.tomifobia.com/austin/hockey_lament.shtml

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Born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1938. "Fergie" was a colourful and feared left-winger who played 8 seasons in the NHL with the Canadiens (1963-71). Won 5 Stanley Cups (1965, 66, 68, 69, 71) and consequently played in 2 NHL All-Star Games (1965, 67). Was runner-up to Jacques Laperriere for the Calder Trophy in 1964. Had his most productive season in 1968-69 scoring 29 goals and 52 points.

In his very first NHL game at the 12 second mark, Fergie and "Terrible" Ted Green of the Bruins fought. Green was soon at the receiving end of Fergie's pounding fists. From this time-on, John was given the title of "unofficial" heavyweight champion of the NHL. He also scored 2 goals and 1 assist in the game.

John was once offered a chance to box with Canadian heavyweight boxing champion George Chuvalo, but the Canadiens refused Fergie permission to fight. He was known as possibly the toughest player of the modern era and considered to be hockey's first "goon", leading the NHL in penalty minutes in 1966-67 (177). But he was also a very solid hockey player. Although he played only 8 seasons, he averaged 18 goals per season.

After his retirement, he revealed the true reason for his early departure from the game - that he was afraid he'd eventually kill somebody. John also ran a successful clothing business and owned a promising stable of race horses.

- www.beehivehockey.com/profiles_04.htm

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John Ferguson, who played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963-71 recalls having to pay for his first championship ring.

"I won five Stanley Cup rings, all with the Canadiens," Ferguson says, "but the first one we had to order ourselves.

"We got a local jeweler to make them. We had to pay for them ourselves. And I remember having to pay $60 for the ring, which doesn't seem a lot by today's standards. But you have to remember that we weren't making that much money back in those days."

- www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCM/is_7_31/ai_99114529

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"After playing Boston it was a little tough to get up for these guys," said Montreal's John Ferguson, who scored the winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory. "But you've got to remember that we don't fool around when there's a lot of jack at stake. Almost everybody has some kind of bonus that depends on how we do in the playoffs. People talk about the magic of Montreal and things like that. Well, we're all in this thing to make money, and when we've got a chance to do it we're not going to blow it."

- www.ourteamsite.org/articles/ronberg.htm

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Ferguson, 63, served as director of player personnel for the Ottawa Senators from 1992-95 where he was responsible for the team's scouting functions.

After retiring as a player in 1971, Ferguson helped coach Team Canada to a remarkable victory against the former Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series. Following almost three years away from the game, he returned as the general manager and coach of the New York Rangers in 1976 where he served until 1977. Ferguson jumped to the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association for the 1978-79 campaign and promptly led the club (which included current Sharks Assistant Coach Rich Preston) to the WHA's final Avco Cup title as general manager. He guided the Jets during their charter NHL season in 1979-80 through the beginning of the 1988-89 campaign. In 1982 and 1985, the Vancouver, British Columbia native was named executive of the year by The Hockey News. In addition, Ferguson was named executive of the year by The Sporting News in 1982, 1985 and 1987. Ferguson is a member of the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame and the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame.

- www.sj-sharks.com/sharks2002/team/hockey_staff/ferguson.htm

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Fergy was my hero. He was also my lacrosse coach at the East End Boys Club.
One thing not generally known about this hard working player is that he was Canada's most skilled lacrosse player. He was like Lafleur in terms of raw skill, behind the back passes like Magic Johnson, catching at full speed like Gretzky and knocking people over like Jack Lambert.
It shows what 5'11 and 185 lbs. can do when properly conditioned and motivated.
Old hooked nose was the good looking one!