LAZY FRANK

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Big, lazy circles at centre ice. Of all the players in blue and white you could always pick out Frank Mahovlich. And he would usually set off my dad. “Look at him loafing out there. Why on earth do they keep him?!”

Presumably Pops approved of Eddie Shack. Crowds adored him. Nicknamed Subway, Eddie would huff and snort down the left wing, rip off a shot, swing around the net then peel off, winded, to the bench. His trajectory formed a sort of letter “J” — much like the shape of the (then single line) Toronto subway.

You could see Eddie working.

Not many years ago, two colleagues of mine were out for skate at a Toronto arena. They shared the ice with only one other: an older gentleman. Tall guy. Long legs. Languid, easy strides.

“It’s Frank Mahovlich.”

Recognizing the great number 27, pride obliged them to quicken pace and stay alongside. A brief nod. The laps continued in silence.

The friend who told me this story recalls thinking, yeah, he was skating about as hard as he could, but it was worth it: keeping up with a National Hockey League legend.

And then, one, two pumps, and Frank was gone.

Eddie Shack 239 career goals. Frank Mahovlich 533 career goals.

Since that story, when I interview prospective writers or art directors, I always wonder to myself. Am I sitting across from Eddie the Entertainer or money Frank?