Drop the puck!
That means something in certain sections of our world.
It’s a phase that rolls off the tongue of English-speaking ice hockey fans. I can’t say I’m fluent in the Russian or Scandinavian equivalents. Nor the French, even though a good portion of my neighbors to the north might shout “déposer la rondelle!” (I’m trusting Google translator to capture the nuance) when the skating zebras are too slow on the draw when the players are waiting for them to toss the hard rubber sphere from their hand to the ice so they can swat their sticks, strategize and generally begin the organized mayhem mixed with artistic beauty that is their sport.
No mask needed. (From Wikipedia)
Which brings me to a goalie from the past, a man who was called by a funny name made famous decades later by a fictional savant who did many things well in a movie, not one of them playing hockey.
Gump Worsley was his name. Lorne John “Gump” Worsley, to be most formal, actually.
Stopping pucks was his specialty, in a long and pretty spectacular National Hockey League career that began in 1952 with the New York Rangers and ended in 1974 with the Minnesota North Stars. Yes, born in 1929 in Montreal, Worsley lasted 22 years in the NHL — in the days when the fellows who blocked pucks for a living did so manly and bare-faced, without a sliver of those face masks the fellows wear these days.
The puck stops here, said Gump Worsley. (Getty Images)
In fact, he was the second-to-last goalie in the league to put that vital protective gear. Asked why, he told the reporter: “My face is my mask.”
I remember seeing Gump play with a great amount of flair when I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, before two goalies named Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure split duties for the Broadway Blueshirts, as the denizens of Madison Square Garden were called.
The eccentric Worsley was also known for his fear of flying, a trait that became more of a liability as the league expanded and road trips increasingly moved from land to air. In fact, in 1968, he famously broke down after a flight from Montreal to Chicago, and had to miss playing time to receive psychiatric treatment.
But he surely was beloved, up until his death of a heart attack in 2007 at the age of 77.
Two Canadian indie rock bands have recorded songs in his honor. Huevos Rancheros put out Gump Worsley’s Lament, and The Weakerthans released Elegy for Gump Worsley And Canadian band Sons of Freedom named an album Gump after Worsley.
So how did Lorne become Gump?
Inspiration for a nickhame. (From Wikipedia)
According to Wikipedia: ” ‘Gump’ was given his nickname because friends thought he looked like comic-strip character Andy Gump.’ ”
Life wasn’t exactly like a box of chocolates, but not bad for this Gump. Not bad at all.
Here’s the source for Gump Worsley’s biography and photos.
Here’s the source for the photo of Sidney Smith’s comic The Gumps.
The Blog of Funny Names 
what a perfect name for a mask-less goalie.
Perfect way to think about it, Beth!
“. . . a stunning triple play . . . Mark triumphs on the ice again . . .”
“. . . we haven’t had a half-court shot like this since Mark went to the mat for Matz . . .”
“. . . Mark shatters all the records with this net whacking dropkick of a post . . .”
Diddy’s machine blurbs chill me to the core!
22 years with no mask – pretty incredible.
And living that old afterward, too, Scott!
Hard to reconcile a butch John Wayne maskless hockey dude with his fear of falling out of the sky. All that stress must have given him the mortal heart attack. I can’t say as I’ve ever heard of him or the Andy Gump comic. Another testimony to all the things that fade away with new generations, only to be resurrected on WordPress! BTW, “Lorne” is also an odd name if you ask me. It’s like Lauren but shoving the syllables together. The only other famous Lorne is Lorne Michaels, who is actually Lorne LIPOWITZ!
Lorne LIPOWITZ!!! That last name really needs to be written in all caps. It’s just the truth.
Kerbey… some day people will be citing your blog as a historical reference for all things historical and amazing. Including excessive bangs (or “fringe” as they say in England) and invisible eyebrows. I’ll be so honored to say “I knew her when…”
Awww. From your mouth to God’s ears.
We all should bow to Kerbey’s banging blogging bodaciousness, King Dave!
And your absolutely astounding, awe-striking adjectives ablaze, Lord Mark!
Here’s to illiteration!
Don’t forget Lorne Greene, the actor. Famous for Bonaza and the original Battle Star Galactica. 🙂
Oh, my goodness. I knew I was missing one! Although, I watched BSG for Dirk Benedict…
So did I. 🙂
You must be too young to recall Lorne Greene of Bonanza fame, Kerbey. He was Michael Landon’s Pa in that pretty memorable Western TV show, hour-long, Sunday nights on NBC.
We have a DVD set of Bonanza, but I can’t get into it. I only remember the Battlestar Galactica that Frannie said. I do remember Michael Landon, though!
And I can’t get into Battlestar Galactica. Oh, well, Kerbey. 🙂
Honestly, everything Kerby writes is pure poetry.
🙂
Phobias do not have to make sense AND can not be rated no a scale of reasonableness. Sad to say, they are often a source of jokes. Some people are afraid of CLOWNS. Now that is crazy.
Ha! Now you’re talking, Rio.
With a somewhat milder aversion to flying, and with all relevant caveats appended, it means something that I can say I have more physical courage than a famous hockey player.
I mean, hey. How many times in life do I get to say that? Let me have my little moment here.
That is a very good point.
Savor, proud Diddy.
“My face is my mask.” That’s pretty badass. That’s like the big line in a dramatic close-up in the Gump Worsley Story movie trailer.
Now say it with dentures, Arto!
It is also pretty dumb in the context of hockey. I could see if you were a professional poker player maybe… No, Gump actually, your face is your face, sad to say.
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Good and quick, my friend, that’s what you are!
It is also pretty dumb in the context of hockey. I could see if you were a professional poker player maybe… No, Gump actually, your face is your face, sad to say.
Wise you are, Rio.