NHL: Bob Probert Died
Bob Proberts life came to an end at a young age of 45 due to a heart-attack on July 5th Monday afternoon, and as fate had it he was in the surrounding of his family. Bob went fishing in Lake St. Clair with his wife, children and in-laws, where the misfortune happened. He collapsed on the boat after having a severe chest pain.
Dan Parkinson who is Bob’s father in-law, immediately performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation after he saw his son in-law collapse, the emergency crew arrived shortly and took him to Windsor Regional Hospital where efforts of reviving the late player were ineffective .
Bob Probert was someone who’s aura on ice instilled horror and reminded players to be alert before he even stepped on it. There is no one who could argue he was one rough sheriff in the history of NHL. He till this date was known to be one of the most terrifying players on ice as he belonged from an era where if another messed with another teams star, he’d turn the game into bloodshed.
He was no doubt an indestructible force, his might made the opponents weak in the knees. Bob was a player who would stand up for his team mates no matter what the circumstances were and make sure the bad guys paid for their indiscretion. Back in the 80’s when the game was brutal, if players like Bob Probert didn’t exist. Players who would help their teammates out when they were wronged then one team would devour the other. Bob had earned a lot of respect from everyone in NHL for his docile behaviour, who wouldn’t respect a guy who would throw cards like that?
Certainly the guy had issues he fought his fiend with, cocaine and alcohol and was thrown into jail for taking drugs across the border, but what makes everyone love this tremendous player? His big-kind heart he was nice to everyone on and off the ice. He made sure he was part of the world as an ordinary person rather a celebrity, always took time to ask someone how they were, hence everyone rooted for him to do well throughout his career.
Bob Proberts career started in 1983 when he was drafted by Red Wings as the 46th pick overall. His first official season with the team was in 1985. By 1988 the young player had scored almost 30 goals with 33 assists.
Although soon Bob’s career was compromised due to his lack of discretion, he become an alcoholic and started taking cocaine. In 1989 while crossing the border he was arrested due to the possession of cocaine and was later sent to the federal prison for six months. He limited his overall games as years passed by because of his multiple arrests for driving under the influence. He only played four games in the 1989-88 season and after his release 4 consecutive seasons from 1990-94 till he was arrested again after a motorcycle crash. When the police checked his blood he was tripling the legal limit with traces of alcohol and cocaine.
After this the Detroit Red Wings Vice-president Jim Devellano decided they would not offer him a contract again, the same very year Bob become an unrestricted free agent and Chicago Black Hawks senior vice-president decided to sign Bob Pulford, but by the end of the year NHL suspended him for an entire season due to the violation of league’s substance abuse policy.
Probert most productive season probably was his first with Blackhawks, he scored 30 points with 19 goals and 21 assists. His career did decline as he grew older and was quite prominent, but he still remained as one of the oldest and cherished players in NHL. In 2001 he won the Bill Masterton Trophy which is awarded to the player who illustrates the quality of having a good sportsmanship and sheer dedication to hockey.
His career ended on 935th NHL game with an incredible 163 goals, 221 assist and 3,300 penalty minutes.
Ending with what important people NHL thought of him as a player and person.
Detroit Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch said in a statement.
“Bob was a part of our very first NHL Draft class that also included Steve Yzerman, Joe Kocur, Petr Klima and Stu Grimson, Bob was always there for his teammates and was one of the toughest men to ever play in the NHL”.
"He also was one of the kindest, most colourful, and beloved players Detroit has ever known".
Bob Probert may you rest in peace!
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