Sanderson Derek - Crossing the line: the outrageous story of a hockey original

Foreword by Bobby Orr

My first memory of Derek Sanderson dates back to when we played against each other in junior. Although we were both property of the Boston Bruins at that time, Derek ended up playing in Niagara Falls and I became a member of the Oshawa Generals. Even back in those days, Derek had great skills on the ice and was a tough competitor.

By the time Derek made the jump to the NHL with Boston in 196768, I had already completed my rookie year, and we won the leagues Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in back-to-back seasons. Those were great times for both of us, but our greatest accomplishment as teammates was being able to hoist the Stanley Cup in both 1970 and 1972.

Unfortunately, Turk eventually decided to jump to the rival World Hockey Association, and things began to change in his life, often for the worse. He started down a slippery slope that no one could prevent, and all of us who considered him a friend could only wait and watch. At the appropriate time, many of us reached out to help Derek, and I am proud to say that he has beaten the demons that for so long controlled his life.

Derek and I have been friends for over 40 years, and I can tell you that he is a salt of the earth type of person. In addition, he has an opinion on most topics and is not afraid to share those thoughts. Undoubtedly, you will read many of those ideas plus a ton of stories as you turn the pages of his book.

During his lifetime, Derek Sanderson has been to the mountaintop and then to the valley floor as well, and now it is your turn to revisit both the good and bad times of his life. Dereks has been a unique life, and I have no doubt that everyone will benefit from his experiences along the way.

Im very thankful to have been able to play in Boston with Derek, where we enjoyed so much success together. He will always be a legend of the game, but more importantly, he will always be my friend.

Bobby Orr

June 2012

8. Memorial Cup Memories

I was never really much into working out, especially during the summer. My dad, on advice he heard from Lloyd Percival, did not believe in bulk. Long, sinewy muscles were preferred so that, even if you were slightly built, as I was, you could still be very fast and very tough. My father would tell me, The more meat you have on you, the more you have to carry. This isnt football. You have to be quick and agile.

But he did have me work on strengthening my wrists so Id be better on faceoffs. He took a broomstick, drilled a hole through the middle of it and then knotted a hockey lace on one side and attached a weight to the end of the lace. I started using one-pound weights and worked my way up to four pounds. And I would turn my wrists to lift the weight and then roll it back down. I repeated that over and over again. I really feel it built up my wrists and fingers, giving me a strong grip on my stick and making me better able to win faceoffs.

Hap Emms, our general manager, and Bill Long, our coach, taught a little of the Lloyd Percival methodologythe team concept and puck control. We did the same thing for two and a half hours at every single practice in junior. We had the six ways to come out of our own end under pressure drilled into us. Bill Long said, After you cross that red line, create. But I always want one of youI dont care which oneto stay high. Let two work the corners and one guy stay high. That way, if we lose the puck, the guy turns to take a winger and the defencemen can stand up on the puck carrier and the open guy. And if its two on two, nothing happens. And that was their simple way to play the game. It was the Bruins way to play the game, too. They were preparing us for the National Hockey League.

I was wearing number 17 and centring a line with Brian Bradley and Teddy Snell. Bradley could really dangle. He was smart, and Id say, Im gonna come down the boards and flush the puck out right. I want you to be there when the defenceman is looking for a winger. If it doesnt happen and he uses his centreman, Ill take the other side.

Hed say, Okay, Turk, and it worked like a charm. We had it figured out and timed.

Our rivals were the Hamilton Red Wings, who played in the old barn on Barton Street. They didnt have glass behind the netthey had chicken wire. But we did like playing in Hamilton because they televised the games. When we were on TV, we made a point of looking good. New laces, boys. CHCH-TV tonight. Wed comb our hair and everything.

The Flyers were playing well, and I was having a pretty good season. One night, I got three goals and a helper and we won 43. The next day, I was at practice, feeling pretty good about myself, dipsy-doodling and playing like some Fancy Dan. I was skating down the wall, cutting to the middle, splitting the D and ping! Id fire one home. I was on a roll. Hap Emms always made us do line rushes and I was feeling pretty good carrying the puck.

Emms sat up in the corner of the rink. He walked down and called Bill Long over. Bill blew the whistle to stop the practice, and we all gathered in front of the bench. I was in the front row, as always.

I have something important to say, began Emms. You guys are truly blessed. Do you understand that? Do you know how lucky you are that, playing on this OHA Junior A team, you are playing with the best player that has ever played the game?

I looked around to see who he was talking about. We had Doug Favell and Bernie Parent in goal. We had guys like Gilles Marotte and Rick Ley on defence. Bill Goldsworthy, Rosaire Paiement and Jean Pronovost were solid forwards. We had maybe 12 guys who went on to the NHL, but I wasnt sure who he was talking about.

And then Hap said, You guys get to play with Derek!

I wanted to crawl in a hole!

He continued. After sitting up in the corner there for 20 minutes, Ive watched him handle the puck. He takes it alone, he can go through people, split the defence and can score! Amazingly gifted player! You should all be humbled by Dereks excellence. In fact, Im going to show you how good he is. Were going to scrimmage.

Then he said, Wait a second. Hold everything. Derek, a player like you probably doesnt need wingers. You can handle the puck really well. You dont have to pass. The way you played yesterday in Hamilton only shows how good you are alone, so you probably dont need your wingers, right? Pronovost and Goldsworthy, go sit down.

Bill Long, the coach, knew exactly what Emms was doing.

Tell you what, Derek, Emms continued. You probably dont need defencemen, either. Guys, let Derek play alone. Hes good enough.

And he looked at me. I didnt know what to say or do. Should I apologize? This was definitely going downhill.

Derek, I think you probably need a goaltender. Ill give you a goalie.

Bernie Parent said no to that, but I knew Doug Favell wouldnt leave me stranded.

Hap then turned to the team. And, if hes standing on his feet for any more than 10 seconds in a row, youll all do a hundred laps each, both ways.

I got the puck off the faceoff and I was dancing with it. Boom! Boom! I got knocked down every time I stood up. I practically crawled to the bench. My tongue was dragging on the ice. I got the point, I said, exhausted.

No, youre good enough, Bill Long said. Take the next shift!

I got the shit beat out of me. Hap gave me a half-smile. Dont you think its a little easier playing with wingers rather than using them as decoys?

Yeah, I do.

And dont you need a couple of defencemen behind you? Do you understand that this is a team game? You cannot play this game alone. Ever! No one can.

I learned humility the hard way. I apologized to Hap and Bill Long and told my teammates I was sorry. I explained, I was just having fun.