The hockey community in the north was saddened last week to learn of the passing of Terry (Armond) Talentino. My old good friend Chris emailed me the news of Terry's passing at 99 years of age in North Bay. Terry was born in the Soo but grew up in South Porcupine. He played Junior A in Brantford and was lucky enough through his skilled play to be called up to the Detroit Red Wings. An unfortunate injury before he could play prevented him from getting in games with the Wings.
He would go on to serve his country for two years in the air force from ‘43-45. He would eventually play in the old Pacific Coast League (after another Detroit tryout) and then on to a very successful career in senior hockey. All of the previous background was part of a beautiful obituary in North Bay.
Senior hockey was an ultra-competitive level of hockey that rivalled any level below the NHL. Many of its players were NHL calibre players. Terry also did scouting for NHL hockey teams.
Terry would go on to manage Memorial Gardens in North Bay and be a key component in the North Bay hockey scene as well as a fixture with the Northern Ontario Hockey League as part of the executive. He received the NOHA Life Membership for service to hockey and the NOHA, and the Angus Campbell Merit Award for outstanding service for a continuous period of not less than 10 consecutive years.
He was also inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
On behalf of hockey fans in our area, I offer my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family.
Just two weeks ago I was telling friends that while searching for some old hockey memorabilia, I came across a pristine cardboard poster. On it was a picture of Gordie Howe and Bill Gadsby with some young hockey players. It was touting the Gadsby/Howe hockey school. It was given to me by family friend Leo Del Villano. On the bottom of the poster, participants were asked to contact Terry Talentino - director, Memorial Gardens.
I was probably eight or nine years old.
I also had the good fortune to play for a short time for Terry's son Jim at Scollard Hall as a teen.
Talentino is a highly respected and well-known name in hockey circles.
Our Canadian women's hockey team sure has a flair for the dramatic. Not only did they come back from a 3-0 deficit in their rivalry series with the U.S. to take game seven and a 4-3 series win, it is the second consecutive season they do so.
I don't think the average hockey fan has much experience on just how hard it is to come back from 3-0. It's unheard of to do it back to back.
Especially two powers who just love one-goal edge victories.
As the trailing team you have to have everything going for you. No injuries, suspensions, bad calls, shifts off, etc. But a team built on character and mental fortitude can and have done it.
Canada displayed those attributes and then some. They definitely got stronger every game as the series wore on.
On the subject of Canadian national teams , I have been chuckling while reading the different projections of what next year and the year after's men's team of NHL players is going to look like.
No two projections look alike and the voracious debate has started.
It's almost as entertaining as the games themselves.
I like how Ridly Greig plays. I would want him on my team any time. Other teams don't like him. Who cares! The teams he has played for do.
OK, so maybe his slapping the puck into an empty net was a tad immature. Whom may I ask did he hurt? Did he slap the puck at another player? Nope, he slapped it in/at an inanimate object. If I were on the other team would I be irate? Oh ya, big time.
But it in no way deserves to have you almost get your head taken off with a crosscheck.
“Oh it was a reaction, Mike.” Really? You skate from the slot, angle off to the boards to catch Greig skating away from you up the boards … seems like enough time to think and realize it’s not a good idea. “But he's a nice guy, usually clean and it's his first offence.” All very true. But a message needs to be sent to other players that they we don't care who you are, this is unacceptable. It's not the 1970s.
Think the Leafs will again play the Sens? There would be lots of chances for legal retribution (if you feel so obliged) by paying special attention to finishing checks on Greig.
Oh and I wish the “he wasn't hurt” faction would stop. In sports, as in life, it's all about intent. No excuses.
Full disclosure … as a player in my prehistoric time as a player, I'd think it was a minor penalty.
So glad for change.
Later skater.
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