Page 25 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 58

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #58 September 2017 25

The Games are over,

presents... The Memories Live on...

An Interesting Piece of Memorabilia from 1969

from the file stood out. It is a fine from
By Thom Racine
GM John Muckler — $25 for missing

ften you have heard me say, or write, practice, and a warning that it will be $50
Othat sports become our release from next time. As well, Muckler continues

our day-to-day burdens. In this day and that his on ice performance (last
age, fans are privy to most everything weekend) in games against Toronto and
the press can find. Professionals really Boston was not up to par for a man his

are held responsible for their actions size and for the salary he was making. As
good and bad. a result of bad play he would be further

A few years ago I stumbled upon a fined $100. Pretty convincing the way
very neat piece of memorabilia from Muckler laid it out in the letter. That

1969. It is the type of thing that can he should play more aggressively and
be considered a part of the working be tougher. That he should be clearing

world that puts us all on equal footing the front of the net and taking players
regardless the salaries. out along the boards and corners with

It also puts an exclamation mark on the
reality that sports is business with real

life pressures that we seldom consider
due to the money our sporting heroes
make. It is the type of thing that when

we understand these pressures, it tends
to make us understand that work is work,

even when it’s a game. much more effort. It just seemed to me
that this letter was not unlike any kick
Many years ago, I captured these two
in the pants anyone of us could get from
letters sent to former NHL defensemen
our boss. Elmer Vasko had played ten
Elmer “Moose” Vasko. I love these little
seasons with the Blackhawks, his career
windows to the past, those pieces of
likely extended by the expansion of
inside information that the computer age
1967, thus Muckler may have noticed a
has delivered. They were the contents
decline in play. Vasko managed to make
of Vasko’s file whilst a member of the
it through the season 68-69, but played
Minnesota North Stars. Inside the Vasko
in Salt Lake City to finish his career.
file were his contract for 1969 and a few
NHL fines for game misconducts. The See for yourself, a couple of neat pieces

going rate in 1969 was $75. One paper of NHL history and memorabilia.

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