Sometimes we are best remembered for the things we do away from the spotlight.
The Belleville and Quinte-area hockey community is mourning the loss of a legend today.
Dennis Hull, longtime Chicago Blackhawk, younger brother to Bobby and member of the Canada team that won the 1972 Summit Series, passed away Saturday at the age of 81.
While his contributions on the ice were significant, most will remember his off-ice work as a brilliant, and very funny speaker and event host – a role that began as an inspiring presence in the locker room and continued for decades after this playing career is over.
I was fortunate enough to hear him in person once at a local event, and I (like many others before me) was mesmerized with his unique combination of wit, charm and insightful command of the events of yesteryear.
When we lost the Legendary Claude Lemieux last week, I also learned of his role as mentor, player-agent and friend to former Leaf and now potential Stanley Cup Champion Freddie Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.
While being remembered by most for his time with the Habs, which included bringing Montreal a Stanley Cup in 1986, it was Andersen’s loss that was more current and also much more personal.
As we pause to remember Dennis this week, let us also take time to honour the person that he was to those who knew him best and those who were entertained by him both face-to-face and at the podium.
It was as much his true arena as the one that he helped dazzle us in playing Canada’s game.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
