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It’s been 35 years since he last played, but Bruce Gordon is still inspiring others.
The former Saskatoon Blades captain will be honoured ahead of a Friday night home opener against the Swift Current Broncos.
Gordon would go on to become a 28-year veteran of the Saskatoon Police force before leaving to become a lawyer.
But before he could be called to the bar, the now 54-year-old was diagnosed with terminal stage four pancreatic cancer. A special ceremony was held just for him in June.
“I think he would have been a great lawyer,” said Dave Chartier, a former Blades teammate who also worked in the police force with Gordon. “He didn’t ever want the glory, he took care of every one of us and we all owe him the respect of saying thank you.”
Gordon was a hard-nosed winger that racked up 818 penalty minutes over a three-year WHL career split between Saskatoon and Medicine Hat. He also scored 22 goals and 87 points in 183 games.
“They (Gordon and eventual NHL enforcer Dave Brown) took care of us,” said Chartier. “The game was a lot different back then, but the Dave Browns and Bruce Gordon’s made us play bigger.”
Several of Gordon’s Blades teammates are coming into town for the game. Police officers from around Saskatchewan, lawyers, family, friends – and Gordon himself – will also be there.
“Bruce is in a class by himself as evidenced by this amazing response,” said Saskatoon Blades president Steve Hogle. “He offers all of us a lesson in how to live life.”
The Blades are also hosting a number of fundraisers for cancer research.
The pre-game ceremony for Gordon will start at 7 p.m. Friday at SaskTel Centre.
