Bob has always been the most positive guy in the room, and a natural connector. I owe him a lot. He was one of the first people to believe in–and promote!–Just For Laughs when I got English-language things started there back in 1986.
But the thing I owe him most for is taking a chance on me, bringing me into his hockey world as a 30-year-old rookie goalie over three decades ago. At the time, I had just started playing the position, and Bob vouched for me to be part of the Dorval Old-Timers. Even though I was five years younger than the starting age, he explained that my lack of experience would counterbalance my relative youth. I still remember, after my first game, Bob calling my office and asking my assistant, in that sincere way only Bob could, “Robin, maybe you can enlighten me. Why does Andy think he’s a goalie?” (Despite that, he defended me from the wrath of Gerry “Steelwool-head” Gordon and other Dorval guys who wanted me kicked out of the league so they could replace me with something better, like a plank of wood with multiple large holes.)
That less-than-auspicious debut aside, Bob got me into the world of recreational hockey, and 32 years later, it is still my passion and my twice-weekly vacation from life. I’m smarter these days (been playing forward for the past 12 years), and even though I am now way more than five years older than most guys I play with, my years of experience counterbalance my relative senior status 😉
So thanks for this, and everything else, Bob. Here’s a picture from my 40th birthday party (22 effin’ years ago!), back in the days when people were allowed to celebrate together and even hug.
Lotsa love, Andy
