Features
Bob Gainey: A gentleman and a hockey player
In the numerous media references made to Peterborough's storied ice hockey tradition, Bob Gainey's name is typically in the mix...and for very good reason.
Born and raised in Peterborough, the East City native is the Ontario city's most accomplished hockey son, having played his minor and junior hockey in Peterborough before embarking on a remarkable professional hockey career with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
Before retiring from the NHL as a player in 1989, Bob Gainey's name had been engraved on the Stanley Cup five times and on the Frank. J. Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward four times. He was also the recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1979 as the playoffs' most valuable player.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, Bob Gainey entered the managerial ranks, first with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, with whom he won another Stanley Cup in 1999, and the Canadiens, with whom he still serves.
In 1998, he was one of three general managers of Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Evidence of what Bob Gainey has meant to the game of hockey was clear Feb. 23, 2008 when his Montreal jersey number, 23, was retired during a pre-game ceremony at Montreal's Bell Centre.
Off the ice, this gentleman's gentleman has, time and time again, given of himself to Peterborough causes, all the while exhibiting great strength and dignity in the wake of two personal tragedies -- the deaths of wife Cathy and daughter Laura. Today, with his children Anna, Stephen and Colleen, Gainey, 54, oversees the Gainey Foundation, founded in the name of both Cathy and Laura.
Join us in our salute to Bob Gainey, a favourite Peterborough son who has done this city and its residents proud, at home and abroad.
Born and raised in Peterborough, the East City native is the Ontario city's most accomplished hockey son, having played his minor and junior hockey in Peterborough before embarking on a remarkable professional hockey career with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
Before retiring from the NHL as a player in 1989, Bob Gainey's name had been engraved on the Stanley Cup five times and on the Frank. J. Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward four times. He was also the recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1979 as the playoffs' most valuable player.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, Bob Gainey entered the managerial ranks, first with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, with whom he won another Stanley Cup in 1999, and the Canadiens, with whom he still serves.
In 1998, he was one of three general managers of Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Evidence of what Bob Gainey has meant to the game of hockey was clear Feb. 23, 2008 when his Montreal jersey number, 23, was retired during a pre-game ceremony at Montreal's Bell Centre.
Off the ice, this gentleman's gentleman has, time and time again, given of himself to Peterborough causes, all the while exhibiting great strength and dignity in the wake of two personal tragedies -- the deaths of wife Cathy and daughter Laura. Today, with his children Anna, Stephen and Colleen, Gainey, 54, oversees the Gainey Foundation, founded in the name of both Cathy and Laura.
Join us in our salute to Bob Gainey, a favourite Peterborough son who has done this city and its residents proud, at home and abroad.
