This one really hits home. I heard a popping noise in my head at the age of 21. I woke up two weeks later after major brain surgery. My family had been told I had a 1 or 2 % chance of surviving. I won't go into a long boring story. I got married and had two daughters. I also had two more strokes before I was 30. I'm a fighter and I've overcome so much. My two daughters are what keep me going. I'm 53 and use a cane. A small price to pay as long as I get to wake up each day. Peace
My mom and I were watching tv one night , her lounging on the couch and me sitting in the easy chair. Suddenly she called out "Steve come here I'm dying!"...Naturally I jumped out of my chair and rushed to her side...she passed away in my arms. A severe stroke. (Admittedly she was an alcoholic which probably contributed to it). I was raised by her along with my two sisters so , we were very close and I was devastated. So the thought of it happening to me some day. Your story is a courageous one and fortunately you had emotional support and fought through it. I am glad for you and wish you and yours the very best.
I'm sorry about your mother. It's tough when you don't have control over certain medical problems. When my younger daughter was turning 21, she's 24 now, she was so scared of having a stroke
That's why I never rip a player who doesn't seem to "make it". Behind the disappointment, of a seemingly failed career, is a human being. I'll never call a player "garbage" or a "loser" just because things aren't working out well for him. Wickenheiser has demonstrated that just because he didn't make it to superstar ranks, that didn't make him a bad person. He was still a success at life and in the end, that's all that matters.
I was an 8 year old boy from St. Louis when he joined the Blues and is beloved here by Blues fans. His BLUE LINE NURSERY/WICK'S CUSTARD shop was about 2 and a half miles from my house and I would stop in and talk hockey with him on occasion. Very humble and darn right nice and friendly man with a seemingly laid back demeanor. We sure miss him here in St. Louis. But his 14 FUND (foundation) lives on thanks to the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club. 💙
I was working in Montreal in the early 80's and was friends with a few of the Habs. I met Doug one Saturday night after a game at a local bar. We had a great chat. Very nice & easy going guy.
I've been a Blues fan my whole life, I was born the same year they came into the league. The Monday Night Miracle is one of my fondest memories. RIP Wick
This is the first I've ever heard of Doug. I was a huge Orr & Sanderson fan. I am so sorry that this young man wasn't given a fair shake at things. I believe he would be in the NHL's hall of fame today if only some of his manager's & team owners had tried to work with him more. Rest in peace Doug. I too suffer from cancer in my left lung.
Thank you for actually talking about the person in this story. He had a tough life, not sure a bust or miracle. Unfortunately the team used him and his number. They never liked him once. Traded him at a young age because your team and players didn't like him. How dare they use him while he's dying. That's how you know how good of a person he was. I would had told them to blank off. Your team, players and organization never liked him. Sorry about your cancer. Hope your getting the support you need
Montreal Canadiens sure screwed this player! from the coach and GM didnt want him, to not developing him......just because they wanted Denis Savard! i never knew about this until ahwile back...DISGUSTING!!! i am a Habs fan
What a (mostly) tragic story. I was a Habs fan growing up and remember the controversy with picking Wickenheiser over Savard (we didn't know how great # 6 pick Paul Coffey would become). I hadn't fully realized how he wasn't given a chance by the difficult Ruel, and how events continued to conspire against him. Yet, given the bad hands he consistently was dealt he remained a classy and decent person. I love this series, even though all of the tales are imbued with sadness.
It should also be noted that despite protests from hangons such a Henrie Richard, MacNeil won the cup by going to the Voyagers & bringing up guys like Pierre Mondo , Rejean Houle & Tardiff. A truth often overlooked by Hab fans.
Thank you for this bittersweet presentation. I can't imagine the pressure this young man must have felt playing for a team expected to win the Cup every year, playing for a coach who didn't believe in him and seeing home town hero Denis Savard lighting it up in Chicago.
Thanks, Mort ... bittersweet is an ample description ... Savard was so much better -- but it was not Wick's fault ... Heck, even Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy were drafted later that 1st round ... If re-drafted a few years later, Wick would have been a late 1st round pick.
Those fans were losers. I remember them expecting every play, let alone every game would be booed if the team was losing for a minute. 40 years later, Quebec fans are still whining. Don Cherry was right.
I'm a Bruins fan, lived in Boston entire life..I collected hockey cards in my youth and still have Wickenheiser's rookie card..He played well on some very good Blues teams..U put together a great video and thankyou..RIp Doug, prayers for family..#14
Yet another heartfelt story told so beautifully. I do remember DW but not as a standout player; little did I know that he was so much more than that...he was a standout human being. Thanks once again!
Thank you for this. Never heard of this courageous man and consider myself a hockey fan, now I feel almost ashamed for not knowing. What a story.. so tragic and yet very inspiring and beautiful in many ways, it brought me to tears. Rest in peace, as a father of 2 daughters now my thoughts go not only to this fighter of a man but also to his family, wishing them the best ♥️
This is a very heartfelt story. May Doug rest in peace. What an amazing courageous man he was who overcame many obstacles in life. A hero to many. Thanks for sharing.
Had the pleasure of meeting and playing baseball with Doug on Regina’s Maroons junior team in 1983 .. without a doubt one of the nicest people I’ve ever met! Think of him often ..RIP!!
I remember watching Doug playing with the Regina Pats against the Calgary Wranglers in the (since torn down) Stampede Corral. One can just imagine the pressure of being the first overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Pollock made the trade with the Colorado Rockies thinking that someone named Wayne Gretzky would go first in the 1980 draft. Although Doug’s NHL career wasn’t what was expected of him he persevered and didn’t quit. While this story does unfortunately have a sad ending it’s great to to see that Doug Wickenheiser memory and legacy will live on especially in St. Louis. Thanks once again for an excellent and very well done documentary.
Great insights here and thanks ... I reminded Ray Bourque recently that if he were born a few days later, he would have been drafted in 1980 and probably would have gone to MTL. Due to the draft changes in 1979, the 1980 draft class was a bit weak and you are right -- Messier, Gretzky, Bourque etc would have been eligible in 1980 at the time Sammy swung that deal. THX again!
Wow! Thank you for such an amazing story. The last photo of his wife and daughters says it all. The joy of living, inspite of the challenges. We can all relate. Bless you.
Sad story. I remember back in the day as a young fan Doug Wickenheiser being a top draft pick of the Habs and the hype of him being a top centerman for them. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely beautiful and informative tribute to a great young and brave young man. Thanks for sharing. I think collectively we put too much pressure on the first round picks, and forget they need time to develop and will not all be hall of famers. What a hockey family, with Hayley widely regarded as the greatest female player of all time.
@@ProHockeyAlumni You have to realize that in Montreal all they had was the Habs and the Expos at that time and Hockey was king in Montreal so everything that the Habs did was magnified.
Another great story from this wonderful channel. Went to high school with Doug he was a class act and the best athlete I ever saw at whatever sport he played. Doug is an inspiration to us all.
Thanks again Mark for telling a touching story. You have a special talent. Keep them coming, the hockey world has many stories to be told, looking forward to the next one.
These videos are getting better and better. The bar was already high. I’m a life long Habs fan and this topic comes up often - Wickenheiser vs Savard. Hard to argue against Savard’s numbers. But what these videos show is sports and life is much more than statistics. It’s impossible to measure someone’s character or the size of their heart. Fate was kind and cruel to this man, like so many others. I feel so bad for his children. Hopefully this video will give fans some pause before just his career is spotlighted. On a side note, some of the footage here was amazing. Brought back a lot of memories. That ‘86 series was epic because so many of those players played for both franchises at the time and also a few years later. Ironically Gilmour was a key Flame when Calgary won it all in ‘89. Wick and Flame…
Hey Bob ... great comment and thanks again ... Savvy was a stud from the word 'go" and Wick could never compare -- on the ice ... But, like so many, Wick had depth to his character and I'm grateful fans like you appreciate their life stories. Thank you!
As a long time Habs fan I was disappointed when he was drafted over Savard. Now I realize that he was heavens first round draft choice. A truly courageous man.
Powerful story that rises above the game of hockey. Success isn't always determined by championships and trophies. Sometimes, it's shown when facing immeasurable obstacles. With Doug's resilience and perseverance, he lived life with a rich heart. Really enjoying your stories and interviews on your channel. Keep up the inspiring work!
Thank you for a amazing story about a amazing man I am a student of nhl and it’s past present teams and players being from the Uk it was difficult in the days before internet
There is something special about how the PHA presents the stories of players. The Wick is another great story. Sometimes the best impact players aren't those that make the top of the stat sheet nightly, it's the ones that make our emotions, our hearts, and our spirits soar beyond the ice. R.I.P. Wick. You have set an eternal candle that lights the ice rink above. 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks again for shining a light on the guys who played the game and left us far too early. I vaguely remember Wick's one game for the Rangers (I actually thought he played more than that on Broadway). I also remember his tragic passing at just 37. I didn't know that he was a distant cousin of Hayley, but I should have known better, Wickenheiser not being the most common surname. A very sad story with a (kind of) happy ending, seeing his widow and three daughters, who should be justifiably proud of their NHL Alumni dad. RIP Wick. Brought a tear to the eye, that one. Cheers and keep them videos coming!
Thanks for reminding of Doug. Life can be very unfair. Without the burden of being a No. 1 overall pick, he would have just been a good hockey player. And then this terrible cancer. I still feel sorry for his family to this day, because I knew his brother Kurt, who played in Germany from 1990 to 1999, from his time with the teams in Unna (3rd division) and Dortmund (2nd division).
I was way too young to ever see him play, but my father talked to me a lot about him. Although, as a French-Canadian fan of Montreal, it was never really in good terms. I think a lot of Quebecers never fully forgave the Canadiens for failing to recognize the talent in their own backyard. It was very refreshing to see this video and understand better how the kid already had the cards stacked against him before the season even started, and scratching him on opening night against Savard was nothing short of humiliating. It honestly feels like Ruel was more focused on proving the Canadiens did wrong with drafting him than help him develop. To me, it's pretty obvious he would have been able to become a star player anywhere else. Maybe not a legend like Savard, but still
A high-quality comment here with a ton of great insight ... really appreciate you taking the time to compose it ... and thanks for watching ... imagine how popular Savard would have been playing his prime years in MTL or Quebec ... but he helped revitalize a historic franchise in Chicago!
I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I'm 38 now but had an Aortic Dissection and literally had less than 1 percent chance at living and had to be air lifted to Houston. I had a fasciotomy on my right leg and a carotid subclavian bypass surgery back in march. I didn't mention that to compete but I empathize with you. Love your family with everything you have cause everyday is a gift. I hope you continue to fight on!
The guy played like 12 seasons in the NHL. Can you really call that a bust? Yeah he wasn't the superstar they expected but still a good nhl player for over a decade.
When Doug was with the Pats a couple of us headed down to the old Saskatoon Arena (the Barn as it was affectionately called) to see this young phenom play against the Blades. We were a little late and as we made our way to our seats we heard the PA announcer say, “Regina goal scored by number 12 Wickenheiser”. Yup he was good. As a Habs fan I was thrilled when they drafted him and sorry his career never panned out for him. He was always a classy guy.
Always liked him as a player. I was deeply disgusted by how Habs management treated him. He overcame so much personal tragedy and connected with many who struggle and suffer, and his legacy of courage and giving back to others lives on. I love how the Blues organization embraced him, post career and the St. Louis fan base. He has a special place in my heart.
Why is it that some of the best people are taken from us, while scumbags manage to stick around. Doug was truly a great person, hockey player and family man. Miss your presence Doug!!!!
Just like your Blues team used his death for publicity. He didn't ggo off on them. He could have been a scorned person but stayed true to his beliefs. Which was being a good person. He had many reasons not too but he took the high road
WOW I literally grew up 2 houses down (in West County, St. Louis) from Doug! He was so nice, I even baby-sat his daughters sometimes when I got older ( high school and college). Thank you for this!😊
@@ProHockeyAlumni thank you!😉 we lost touch with Diane after they moved; then my family moved to Florida not long after. The girls turned out beautiful.
So many strange ironies. As someone who has tasted hockey greatness, it’s like a passing river, we stick our feet in and it keeps moving and changing around our own wick of the candle. I’m from Minnesota but just wanted to hear this story, so sad it makes me cry to know his twenties were a downfall and his thirties only made it to 37, with cancer. Hockey is for Everyone! Thanks Doug!! RIP (1961-99)
As Doug is a family member l remember those days as he was a year older then myself and my twin brother watched him play junior hockey against are local Jr team the Kelowna Red Wings he was so good . To this day l am not a Canadian fan
I watched Doug play in Regina and as a Habs fan I was excited when he was drafted over Savard. A star in the works mismanaged for sure. But eventually The Habs got their Savard at the expense of Chris Chelios, Years of mediocracy followed... R.I.P Doug... hats off to your family you left behind.
As a fellow Saskatchewanian (and one also of German descent) this one seems to hit harder for some reason. I never cheered for any of the teams he ever played for, but I’ve always admired his grit and determination, even though I wasn’t very old during his playing career. His career may not have met expectations of many, but his strength and selflessness as a human is on a higher level than most of us could brag about. I’m not the most religious person around but may he Rest In Peace in the kingdom of heaven.
Yes, Doug Wickenheiser was a very nice man & he would have deserved a much better fate, there's no question about it! However, to this day, I still believe the Habs should have drafted Denis Savard instead. Savard was a natural fit in the Montreal market. In fact, the Habs did get Savard from Chicago in a trade ten years later, but it costed them a lot (Chris Chelios). As for Wickenheiser, I am sure his talent would have blossomed well elsewhere in the NHL. Keep up the good work, Sir! I love your videos!
Growing up, I only knew of Wickenheiser for scoring the most important goal in Blues history before 2019. It was not until years later I knew of his high draft status and relative disappointment. He is not a bust for people in St. Louis.
I remember that night. I was cheering for Calgary. At that point Calgary already had Mullen and were about to pluck Gilmour, Wamsley, Ramage (who also went #1 in the draft for the Rockies) and Rick Natress (Johnson, Rik Wilson - there was a lot of overlap between the two franchises). Cliff Fletcher was assistant GM in St. Louis before he became a head GM and turned The Atlanta Flames into a contender in Calgary. The Blues got Brett Hull and eventually Chopper in return - not too shabby. A pair of statues. Wickenheiser was a very good player. He and Gilmour and Paslawski basically prevented Calgary from winning the Cup in 1986 (after Calgary upset the dynasty Oilers). Calgary needed rest - and they had to win game six in order to get some days off, but St Louis prevented that. Great meat and potatoes hockey and just an insane come-back win - The Arena went absolutely insane. It was no coincidence that Fletcher went after Gilmour and Wamsley after that series - that basically sealed the deal for Calgary in 1989 - didn't have to worry about playing Wamsley because they traded for him - very smart move. St Louis was a very good team in the mid 1980's - very underrated. Joe Mullen is one of my heroes. I was thrilled that The Blues finally won the cup. Very fun to watch and just an amazing all around team. Cheers to Wickenheiser - just a beauty.
Great video again . So much love going back to the " good old day's". curious if know of any old school hockey books you would recommend been meaning to read Rebel league on the the WHL day's just have not had chance to do so.
Thanks, Brian ... The Rebel League is the classic WHA tome ... loved Paul Stewart's bio ... Gratoony the Looney" .... currently reading Brad Park's "Straight Shooter" ...
thanks' for that will have to check them out. heard good things about the paul stewart book. heard the Russian 5 was a good one as well. I know there are of interest on the the Russian/Canadian summit series as well. The one ken Dryden wrote on Scotty bowman looks good as well. Anway thanks again for the recommendations and the videos you post. @@ProHockeyAlumni
It shows what management and a terrible coach can do to player. Confidence, even at the highest levels is critical and being compared to Savard was truly unfair . I feel Montreal was known for its harsh treatment of players at times and sometimes the shoe just doesn’t fit…happens all the time where a player gets a new lease on life - change of scenery and takes off. I didn’t know the personal stuff and battles, great - great video for a player who was a great person by all accounts - first and foremost. God bless Doug and family….
R.I.P. Doug, you will be missed. It's too bad Montreal drafted him #1 and put pressure on him since they wanted Savard instead. And the coach at the start of his NHL day's ruined his confidence by sitting him. It's a tough city to play in, and Doug found out the hard way as his confidence and play suffered. Thank God the Blues picked him up and gave him a 2nd chance. That big O.T. winner vs. Calgary in the playoffs was what he needed. Despite injuries, and misfortunes he lived a life many can only dream of. It's nice the Blues honor him to this day. He fought cancer, but his life was cut too short when it spread. At least, he saw his three daughters being born, and that alone was more important than his hockey career.
Although Wickenhiser wasn't successful in professional hockey, it looks like he succeeded in his personal and family life, which is far more important in the grand scheme of things.
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This one really hits home. I heard a popping noise in my head at the age of 21. I woke up two weeks later after major brain surgery. My family had been told I had a 1 or 2 % chance of surviving. I won't go into a long boring story. I got married and had two daughters. I also had two more strokes before I was 30. I'm a fighter and I've overcome so much. My two daughters are what keep me going. I'm 53 and use a cane. A small price to pay as long as I get to wake up each day. Peace
awesome story ... I'm glad you are still with us ... had a similar experience at an older age ... really glad hear yours story of resilience.
I'm overjoyed I found your channel. I'll be watching at least a video a day.
God Bless You
My mom and I were watching tv one night , her lounging on the couch and me sitting in the easy chair. Suddenly she called out "Steve come here I'm dying!"...Naturally I jumped out of my chair and rushed to her side...she passed away in my arms. A severe stroke. (Admittedly she was an alcoholic which probably contributed to it). I was raised by her along with my two sisters so , we were very close and I was devastated. So the thought of it happening to me some day. Your story is a courageous one and fortunately you had emotional support and fought through it. I am glad for you and wish you and yours the very best.
I'm sorry about your mother. It's tough when you don't have control over certain medical problems. When my younger daughter was turning 21, she's 24 now, she was so scared of having a stroke
He might have struggled as a hockey player but he exceeded far and beyond as a human being. That's a win in my books...
That's why I never rip a player who doesn't seem to "make it". Behind the disappointment, of a seemingly failed career, is a human being. I'll never call a player "garbage" or a "loser" just because things aren't working out well for him. Wickenheiser has demonstrated that just because he didn't make it to superstar ranks, that didn't make him a bad person. He was still a success at life and in the end, that's all that matters.
I was an 8 year old boy from St. Louis when he joined the Blues and is beloved here by Blues fans. His BLUE LINE NURSERY/WICK'S CUSTARD shop was about 2 and a half miles from my house and I would stop in and talk hockey with him on occasion. Very humble and darn right nice and friendly man with a seemingly laid back demeanor. We sure miss him here in St. Louis. But his 14 FUND (foundation) lives on thanks to the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club. 💙
I was working in Montreal in the early 80's and was friends with a few of the Habs. I met Doug one Saturday night after a game at a local bar. We had a great chat. Very nice & easy going guy.
I've been a Blues fan my whole life, I was born the same year they came into the league. The Monday Night Miracle is one of my fondest memories. RIP Wick
LGB!!!
I was 4 when they started. Man, that Monday night miracle? Life changing. Still, to this day,
You have done it again, another amazing feature on a courageous NHL player. What a standout piece! RIP Doug .......
Thanks very much ... I'm glad you enjoy the history of the game and the in-depth look at some overlooked players ... I appreciate your support!
I've sat and stared at that banner many times while attending Blues home games, thanks for sharing his story!
thanks for watching ... Go Blues!
This is the first I've ever heard of Doug. I was a huge Orr & Sanderson fan. I am so sorry that this young man wasn't given a fair shake at things. I believe he would be in the NHL's hall of fame today if only some of his manager's & team owners had tried to work with him more. Rest in peace Doug. I too suffer from cancer in my left lung.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Thank you for actually talking about the person in this story. He had a tough life, not sure a bust or miracle. Unfortunately the team used him and his number. They never liked him once. Traded him at a young age because your team and players didn't like him. How dare they use him while he's dying. That's how you know how good of a person he was. I would had told them to blank off. Your team, players and organization never liked him. Sorry about your cancer. Hope your getting the support you need
Montreal Canadiens sure screwed this player! from the coach and GM didnt want him, to not developing him......just because they wanted Denis Savard! i never knew about this until ahwile back...DISGUSTING!!! i am a Habs fan
I'm a King's fan but I remember that Doug Wickenheiser was a true class act! RIP #14 from one hockey player to another
What a (mostly) tragic story. I was a Habs fan growing up and remember the controversy with picking Wickenheiser over Savard (we didn't know how great # 6 pick Paul Coffey would become). I hadn't fully realized how he wasn't given a chance by the difficult Ruel, and how events continued to conspire against him. Yet, given the bad hands he consistently was dealt he remained a classy and decent person.
I love this series, even though all of the tales are imbued with sadness.
Thanks -- excellent thoughts here ... I'm glad you're enjoyed these stories ... gonna try to lighten the mood a bit next time :)
It should also be noted that despite protests from hangons such a Henrie Richard, MacNeil won the cup by going to the Voyagers & bringing up guys like Pierre Mondo , Rejean Houle & Tardiff. A truth often overlooked by Hab fans.
I knew Doug. Interviewed him once, helluva guy. And forever a legend in STL for the Monday Night Miracle 2OT winner.
He was Loved in STL!
One of my life’s top 3 best memories! I was there, wasn’t sure the Old Barn was going hold up that night!! Gone way too soon #14 ❤️
Thank you for this bittersweet presentation. I can't imagine the pressure this young man must have felt playing for a team expected to win the Cup every year, playing for a coach who didn't believe in him and seeing home town hero Denis Savard lighting it up in Chicago.
Thanks, Mort ... bittersweet is an ample description ... Savard was so much better -- but it was not Wick's fault ... Heck, even Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy were drafted later that 1st round ... If re-drafted a few years later, Wick would have been a late 1st round pick.
Those fans were losers. I remember them expecting every play, let alone every game would be booed if the team was losing for a minute. 40 years later, Quebec fans are still whining. Don Cherry was right.
Yeah, no one else ever had pressure!
I'm a Bruins fan, lived in Boston entire life..I collected hockey cards in my youth and still have Wickenheiser's rookie card..He played well on some very good Blues teams..U put together a great video and thankyou..RIp Doug, prayers for family..#14
Thank you … I appreciate your thoughts on Wick!
@@ProHockeyAlumni I wish I could find his old hockey cards from Montreal, I would send u his cards..
Yet another heartfelt story told so beautifully. I do remember DW but not as a standout player; little did I know that he was so much more than that...he was a standout human being. Thanks once again!
Thanks OG ... Guys like Doug are always a pleasure to research and produce ... very human with many layers to their lives. THX!
Thank you for this. Never heard of this courageous man and consider myself a hockey fan, now I feel almost ashamed for not knowing. What a story.. so tragic and yet very inspiring and beautiful in many ways, it brought me to tears. Rest in peace, as a father of 2 daughters now my thoughts go not only to this fighter of a man but also to his family, wishing them the best ♥️
Awesome heartfelt thoughts ... thanks for taking the time to share them.!
This is a very heartfelt story. May Doug rest in peace. What an amazing courageous man he was who overcame many obstacles in life. A hero to many.
Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome -- thankful for fans like you!
Had the pleasure of meeting and playing baseball with Doug on Regina’s Maroons junior team in 1983 .. without a doubt one of the nicest people I’ve ever met! Think of him often ..RIP!!
I remember watching Doug playing with the Regina Pats against the Calgary Wranglers in the (since torn down) Stampede Corral. One can just imagine the pressure of being the first overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Pollock made the trade with the Colorado Rockies thinking that someone named Wayne Gretzky would go first in the 1980 draft. Although Doug’s NHL career wasn’t what was expected of him he persevered and didn’t quit. While this story does unfortunately have a sad ending it’s great to to see that Doug Wickenheiser memory and legacy will live on especially in St. Louis. Thanks once again for an excellent and very well done documentary.
Great insights here and thanks ... I reminded Ray Bourque recently that if he were born a few days later, he would have been drafted in 1980 and probably would have gone to MTL. Due to the draft changes in 1979, the 1980 draft class was a bit weak and you are right -- Messier, Gretzky, Bourque etc would have been eligible in 1980 at the time Sammy swung that deal. THX again!
I remember Doug. I live near Regina. A true champion. He was an amazing player and an amazing young man. Thanks for sharing this.
He was a great human being. He left behind a beautiful family. RIP Doug.
Wow! Thank you for such an amazing story. The last photo of his wife and daughters says it all. The joy of living, inspite of the challenges. We can all relate. Bless you.
Sad story. I remember back in the day as a young fan Doug Wickenheiser being a top draft pick of the Habs and the hype of him being a top centerman for them. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching NYR ... greatly appreciate your comment!
inspirational story brought tears to my eyes.
Thankfully I watched the entire doc.
Absolutely beautiful and informative tribute to a great young and brave young man. Thanks for sharing. I think collectively we put too much pressure on the first round picks, and forget they need time to develop and will not all be hall of famers. What a hockey family, with Hayley widely regarded as the greatest female player of all time.
Thank you very much! Well stated and very much appreciated.
Wow! I remember him , but didn’t know what happened to him. So young!! 😞Thank you for sharing!
Ya you don't know.. at least you admit it..
First step in recovery
The media in Montreal is plain savage when it comes to it's hockey. Super content!
Thanks ... agreed that MTL media could always be tough ... we wouldn't want 'em any other way!
The Habs did win a Cup with Denis Savard in 1993 I believe.
@@ProHockeyAlumni You have to realize that in Montreal all they had was the Habs and the Expos at that time and Hockey was king in Montreal so everything that the Habs did was magnified.
@@williegordon7899 Yes but then he was mainly benched.
What a respectful video you made.
Thank you... 100% respect for those who played and handled themselves with class.
Best hockey channel on youtube right now. Keep em coming!
Appreciate that ... got some good ones in the works. Thanks for your support!
What an amazing person! Thank you for this story. He faced life with bravery and an positivity that we all should!
Thank you again for a sad but good story. I always like learning about the players that came before I became a hockey fan.
Glad you enjoyed it ... always good to have young folks who appreciate the game's history.
Thank you for the gracious message on an often forgotten legend. Wick’s flame will never go out as long the Blues exist.
Thanks for watching AV ... can never forget the legends like Wick, who have great life stories!
You make it to the NHL ,,,,you are a legend
Amazing yet tragic story. Thank you for the hockey night in Canada nostalgia trip
Great video. Had no clue about Doug until after this video. Bravo sir!
Many thanks! I greatly appreciate your kind words. I learn a lot when researching these, as well.
What a sad story. Although a hockey fan, I didn't know about Doug. God rest his soul in HOCKEY HEAVEN...❤❤
Thanks for watching and for the thoughtful comment.
Another great story from this wonderful channel. Went to high school with Doug he was a class act and the best athlete I ever saw at whatever sport he played. Doug is an inspiration to us all.
Thanks again Mark for telling a touching story. You have a special talent. Keep them coming, the hockey world has many stories to be told, looking forward to the next one.
Spot on.
Thanks so much for your kind words ... fans like you make the time investment worthwhile ... we'll keep grinding!
@@ProHockeyAlumni How many hours does it take to make a video like this. I would guess 120. Am I close?
Sadness demonstrates what life is ... and remaining an optimist and good man defeats all sadness.
These videos are getting better and better. The bar was already high. I’m a life long Habs fan and this topic comes up often
- Wickenheiser vs Savard. Hard to argue against Savard’s numbers. But what these videos show is sports and life is much more than statistics. It’s impossible to measure someone’s character or the size of their heart. Fate was kind and cruel to this man, like so many others. I feel so bad for his children. Hopefully this video will give fans some pause before just his career is spotlighted. On a side note, some of the footage here was amazing. Brought back a lot of memories. That ‘86 series was epic because so many of those players played for both franchises at the time and also a few years later. Ironically Gilmour was a key Flame when Calgary won it all in ‘89. Wick and Flame…
Hey Bob ... great comment and thanks again ... Savvy was a stud from the word 'go" and Wick could never compare -- on the ice ... But, like so many, Wick had depth to his character and I'm grateful fans like you appreciate their life stories. Thank you!
Great stuff as always. This channel continues to be a goldmine.
Thanks so much ... we'll keep producing them for fans like you!
Great story telling. A big loss for hockey and his family, a true hero in face of so many obstacles. Thanks!
Thank you very much for your comment ... Wick had a hard-luck existence ... Thanks for watching!
As a long time Habs fan I was disappointed when he was drafted over Savard. Now I realize that he was heavens first round draft choice. A truly courageous man.
That was nice, Espo. THX!
Powerful story that rises above the game of hockey. Success isn't always determined by championships and trophies. Sometimes, it's shown when facing immeasurable obstacles. With Doug's resilience and perseverance, he lived life with a rich heart. Really enjoying your stories and interviews on your channel. Keep up the inspiring work!
This is a very meaningful comment and is greatly appreciated ... Wick was so much more than he is often portrayed and I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
What a sad story. I’m also glad that you used snippets from a French Canadiens broadcast-that’s always cool to hear.
Glad you enjoyed it! I agree and the French language telecasts. feels like hockey.
Thank you for a amazing story about a amazing man I am a student of nhl and it’s past present teams and players being from the Uk it was difficult in the days before internet
That's awesome! We do get a lot of views from the UK and I am sincerely happy to have you with us. Thank you!
@@ProHockeyAlumnithank you again I have subscribed and look forward to more content from you best wishes from Uk
There is something special about how the PHA presents the stories of players. The Wick is another great story. Sometimes the best impact players aren't those that make the top of the stat sheet nightly, it's the ones that make our emotions, our hearts, and our spirits soar beyond the ice. R.I.P. Wick. You have set an eternal candle that lights the ice rink above. 🙏🙏🙏
great and valuable comment ... very much appreciated. You gotta love guys like Wick .. Peter Zezel ... Barry Ashbee, etc.
Fantastic video and tribute to one hellova man.
Thank you kindly ... appreciate the feedback!
Thanks again for shining a light on the guys who played the game and left us far too early. I vaguely remember Wick's one game for the Rangers (I actually thought he played more than that on Broadway). I also remember his tragic passing at just 37. I didn't know that he was a distant cousin of Hayley, but I should have known better, Wickenheiser not being the most common surname. A very sad story with a (kind of) happy ending, seeing his widow and three daughters, who should be justifiably proud of their NHL Alumni dad. RIP Wick. Brought a tear to the eye, that one. Cheers and keep them videos coming!
Thanks, Paul ... Thanks for your kind words and remembrances about Wick.
remember his name from my youth, but knew none of his heart heavy story, so thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching ... appreciate the feedback, too!
Thanks for reminding of Doug. Life can be very unfair. Without the burden of being a No. 1 overall pick, he would have just been a good hockey player. And then this terrible cancer. I still feel sorry for his family to this day, because I knew his brother Kurt, who played in Germany from 1990 to 1999, from his time with the teams in Unna (3rd division) and Dortmund (2nd division).
Awesome comment … thanks!
Wick was a class act in the face of relentless adversity..God Bless his family!!!!
Sad, sad story. RIP Doug.
I was way too young to ever see him play, but my father talked to me a lot about him. Although, as a French-Canadian fan of Montreal, it was never really in good terms. I think a lot of Quebecers never fully forgave the Canadiens for failing to recognize the talent in their own backyard.
It was very refreshing to see this video and understand better how the kid already had the cards stacked against him before the season even started, and scratching him on opening night against Savard was nothing short of humiliating. It honestly feels like Ruel was more focused on proving the Canadiens did wrong with drafting him than help him develop. To me, it's pretty obvious he would have been able to become a star player anywhere else. Maybe not a legend like Savard, but still
A high-quality comment here with a ton of great insight ... really appreciate you taking the time to compose it ... and thanks for watching ... imagine how popular Savard would have been playing his prime years in MTL or Quebec ... but he helped revitalize a historic franchise in Chicago!
But 16 other teams would have made the same 'mistake.'j
I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I'm 38 now but had an Aortic Dissection and literally had less than 1 percent chance at living and had to be air lifted to Houston. I had a fasciotomy on my right leg and a carotid subclavian bypass surgery back in march. I didn't mention that to compete but I empathize with you. Love your family with everything you have cause everyday is a gift. I hope you continue to fight on!
The guy played like 12 seasons in the NHL. Can you really call that a bust? Yeah he wasn't the superstar they expected but still a good nhl player for over a decade.
When Doug was with the Pats a couple of us headed down to the old Saskatoon Arena (the Barn as it was affectionately called) to see this young phenom play against the Blades. We were a little late and as we made our way to our seats we heard the PA announcer say, “Regina goal scored by number 12 Wickenheiser”. Yup he was good. As a Habs fan I was thrilled when they drafted him and sorry his career never panned out for him. He was always a classy guy.
greatly appreciated comment ... excellent memories of simpler times.
Keep em
Coming !!! ❤
Prayers and a salute for Doug and all those who need help to fight cancer. Thank you PHA.
Thanks to you!
Just love this channel. High quality content
Thank you ... we work hard for great fans like you!
What a great tribute.
Thanks Durby ... Wick was a quality human.
Great Player ! Great guy ,.. he always played well against LA Kings ; We remember ,.
Fantastic tribute to Doug.. greqt work again.
Thank you BJ ... appreciate the support!
Always liked him as a player. I was deeply disgusted by how Habs management treated him. He overcame so much personal tragedy and connected with many who struggle and suffer, and his legacy of courage and giving back to others lives on. I love how the Blues organization embraced him, post career and the St. Louis fan base. He has a special place in my heart.
Awesome comment … from the heart ❤️
You can’t talk hockey in a StL bar without a Doug Wickenhieser mention. He is one of our best, on and off the ice.
All I ever knew him for is for being a notorious Draft bust haha. So this was amazing!! Great job my friend!!
Thanks, my man ... appreciated as always ... great job on the mid-game bail-outs ... I had forgotten about Michel Dion's exit.
@@ProHockeyAlumni thanks Man! I wish I could find video evidence of it haha, but I appreciate it!!
Enjoyed the video. As with Peter Zezel, this guy was better than many of the people he played for.
Why is it that some of the best people are taken from us, while scumbags manage to stick around. Doug was truly a great person, hockey player and family man. Miss your presence Doug!!!!
I don't know, but I echo your sentiment.
Just like your Blues team used his death for publicity. He didn't ggo off on them. He could have been a scorned person but stayed true to his beliefs. Which was being a good person. He had many reasons not too but he took the high road
What a fantastic tribute!
Thanks for watching! I appreciate the feedback, as well!
What an outstanding person: a true hero.
Rest In Peace.
Until June 2019 my greatest Blues Fandom moment was Dougie's game 6 winner, the Monday Night Miracle.
WOW I literally grew up 2 houses down (in West County, St. Louis) from Doug! He was so nice, I even baby-sat his daughters sometimes when I got older ( high school and college). Thank you for this!😊
Thanks ABC ... Your screen name belies your sincerity and sensitivity ... but it is hilarious.
@@ProHockeyAlumni thank you!😉 we lost touch with Diane after they moved; then my family moved to Florida not long after. The girls turned out beautiful.
Used to watch Doug with the Pats!
Gone but never forgotten!
So many strange ironies. As someone who has tasted hockey greatness, it’s like a passing river, we stick our feet in and it keeps moving and changing around our own wick of the candle.
I’m from Minnesota but just wanted to hear this story, so sad it makes me cry to know his twenties were a downfall and his thirties only made it to 37, with cancer.
Hockey is for Everyone!
Thanks Doug!!
RIP
(1961-99)
just a superior comment and great tribute to Wick .. Thank you!
Beautiful. Love your work! Keep going
Thank you! Will do! Greatly appreciate your positive feedback!
He was a legend as a kid in Regina minor hockey.
Great Junior with the Pats
As Doug is a family member l remember those days as he was a year older then myself and my twin brother watched him play junior hockey against are local Jr team the Kelowna Red Wings he was so good . To this day l am not a Canadian fan
I’m happy to say I got to watch him n the 80s growing up in St. Louis.
Outstanding video.
Again..
Thank you so much 😀
Doug will always be a legend in St. Louis.
that's good to hear ... thx!
As a teenager I watch this guy play for Canada in a tournament against Russia. I'll never forget this guy's speed.
I watched Doug play in Regina and as a Habs fan I was excited when he was drafted over Savard. A star in the works mismanaged for sure. But eventually The Habs got their Savard at the expense of Chris Chelios, Years of mediocracy followed... R.I.P Doug... hats off to your family you left behind.
Thank you...
Such a sad story. God bless his family.
As a fellow Saskatchewanian (and one also of German descent) this one seems to hit harder for some reason. I never cheered for any of the teams he ever played for, but I’ve always admired his grit and determination, even though I wasn’t very old during his playing career.
His career may not have met expectations of many, but his strength and selflessness as a human is on a higher level than most of us could brag about.
I’m not the most religious person around but may he Rest In Peace in the kingdom of heaven.
This is a great comment and tribute to Wick. Excellent and thanks!
This was the best playoffs I have ever seen in the Old Barn. He definitely miss him.
The 5 O.T. game vs. the Penguins was a doozy in 1981. Game FIVE!
Very classy video.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks BBB1 ... I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching!
Yes, Doug Wickenheiser was a very nice man & he would have deserved a much better fate, there's no question about it!
However, to this day, I still believe the Habs should have drafted Denis Savard instead. Savard was a natural fit in the Montreal market. In fact, the Habs did get Savard from Chicago in a trade ten years later, but it costed them a lot (Chris Chelios). As for Wickenheiser, I am sure his talent would have blossomed well elsewhere in the NHL.
Keep up the good work, Sir! I love your videos!
Thanks so much ... yes, Savvy in his prime would have been a God in Montreal. Perhaps Doug would have been able to develop with a lesser team.
Wow. I remember when he was withe Habs, and so on but lost sight of him after.
Growing up, I only knew of Wickenheiser for scoring the most important goal in Blues history before 2019. It was not until years later I knew of his high draft status and relative disappointment. He is not a bust for people in St. Louis.
I remember that night. I was cheering for Calgary. At that point Calgary already had Mullen and were about to pluck Gilmour, Wamsley, Ramage (who also went #1 in the draft for the Rockies) and Rick Natress (Johnson, Rik Wilson - there was a lot of overlap between the two franchises). Cliff Fletcher was assistant GM in St. Louis before he became a head GM and turned The Atlanta Flames into a contender in Calgary. The Blues got Brett Hull and eventually Chopper in return - not too shabby. A pair of statues. Wickenheiser was a very good player. He and Gilmour and Paslawski basically prevented Calgary from winning the Cup in 1986 (after Calgary upset the dynasty Oilers). Calgary needed rest - and they had to win game six in order to get some days off, but St Louis prevented that. Great meat and potatoes hockey and just an insane come-back win - The Arena went absolutely insane. It was no coincidence that Fletcher went after Gilmour and Wamsley after that series - that basically sealed the deal for Calgary in 1989 - didn't have to worry about playing Wamsley because they traded for him - very smart move. St Louis was a very good team in the mid 1980's - very underrated. Joe Mullen is one of my heroes. I was thrilled that The Blues finally won the cup. Very fun to watch and just an amazing all around team. Cheers to Wickenheiser - just a beauty.
As A long time Habs fan, I always regretted picking Wick as # 1 overall. I had no idea of what he went through. He was a great man.
He was a great player! Miss him lots!
Awesome video..great info
Thank you ... Wick was a great character to research and his story was a privilege to produce ... THX!
Amazing story more please??thx
👍 thanks … we’ll keep making ‘em if you keep watching!
Great video again . So much love going back to the " good old day's". curious if know of any old school hockey books you would recommend been meaning to read Rebel league on the the WHL day's just have not had chance to do so.
Thanks, Brian ... The Rebel League is the classic WHA tome ... loved Paul Stewart's bio ... Gratoony the Looney" .... currently reading Brad Park's "Straight Shooter" ...
thanks' for that will have to check them out. heard good things about the paul stewart book. heard the Russian 5 was a good one as well. I know there are of interest on the the Russian/Canadian summit series as well. The one ken Dryden wrote on Scotty bowman looks good as well. Anway thanks again for the recommendations and the videos you post. @@ProHockeyAlumni
I am a Habs fan, but I get the impression that Wickenheiser was the victim of Habs' poor player development. Very sad.
It shows what management and a terrible coach can do to player. Confidence, even at the highest levels is critical and being compared to Savard was truly unfair . I feel Montreal was known for its harsh treatment of players at times and sometimes the shoe just doesn’t fit…happens all the time where a player gets a new lease on life - change of scenery and takes off.
I didn’t know the personal stuff and battles, great - great video for a player who was a great person by all accounts - first and foremost. God bless Doug and family….
Great comment and excellent insights. Well done. THX!
R.I.P. Doug, you will be missed. It's too bad Montreal drafted him #1 and put pressure on him since they wanted Savard instead. And the coach at the start of his NHL day's ruined his confidence by sitting him. It's a tough city to play in, and Doug found out the hard way as his confidence and play suffered. Thank God the Blues picked him up and gave him a 2nd chance. That big O.T. winner vs. Calgary in the playoffs was what he needed. Despite injuries, and misfortunes he lived a life many can only dream of. It's nice the Blues honor him to this day. He fought cancer, but his life was cut too short when it spread. At least, he saw his three daughters being born, and that alone was more important than his hockey career.
awesome content here ... thanks for taking the time to watch the video and provide such substantive insights.
@@ProHockeyAlumni He only repeated what you said better.
Great story. It is also ironic that they showed the back of Pavol Demitra's jersey, as he was killed in a plane crash.
Thanks ... yes, that was eerie -- and sad. The Blues have had some tough luck over the years.
A very classy man!! RIP 14
agreed .. THX!
Although Wickenhiser wasn't successful in professional hockey, it looks like he succeeded in his personal and family life, which is far more important in the grand scheme of things.