Jim Souhan: No masking this character(Gump Worsley dead)

MPLS Star & Sickle ^ | 1-29-07 | Jim Souhan

[Rakkasan1]

Gump Worsley, the Hall of Fame goalie who played for the Minnesota North Stars, died on Friday, five days after suffering a heart attack. He was 77. Worsley is remembered by local hockey icons as a jovial anachronism, a throwback to an era when a goalie could carry a potbelly but no facemask.

[NonValueAdded]

RIP, Gump.

[BallyBill]

I thought he died years ago. It is a name you don't forget.

[Rakkasan1]

I always thought he'd die from a puck in the face.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

I recall Gump having a terrific season very late in his career. He explained that he was getting old, his reflexes weren't what they used to be, and because of that, he was unable to move out of the way quickly enough when the puck was fired at him.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[misharu]

I can remember seeing Gump playing the Blues in the old Arena in the 70's. He took a slap shot right off his forhead. Fell backwards into the net like a sack of potatoes.

They swiped some smelling salts under his nose and got him into the dressing room. About ten minutes later he came back out and finished the game. Utterly amazing.

I can't remember who won the game, but I sure remember thinking how the hell ANYONE could have taken that shot off his head and lived!! Man what a tough SOB!

[Rakkasan1]

never saw him play ,but heard he smoked like a chimney between periods.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Glenn Hall, goalie for the Blackhawks and later the Blues used to throw up before the games. If I had been in his situation I would have too.

[Physicist]

Goodbye to a legend of the greatest game.