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Random Thoughts – Pat Stapleton, WHA Hall of Fame and More

April 11, 2020

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1. I was saddened to learn of the passing of hockey legend and WHA Hall of Famer Pat Stapleton earlier this week. In addition to his distinguished playing career, he was a part-owner of the Chicago Cougars and the last coach of the Indianapolis Racers. I had the privilege of meeting and talking with Pat at length at the Hot Line reunion in Winnipeg in 2010 and again at WHA Fan Day in Calgary in 2013, and each time, he impressed me as a fine gentleman with a positive attitude. My condolences to his family and all who knew him.

1a. Did you know that Michael Gobuty offered Stapleton the Jets’ GM job before hiring John Ferguson?

1b. Did you also know that Stapleton played his junior hockey right here in St. Catharines?

2. On the topic of the WHA Hall of Fame, if you’re among those wondering what has become of it and its dormant website, you’re not alone.

3. Rather than moan and groan about what others aren’t doing, I have redeployed the comprehensive WHA database I developed years ago, complete with a slew of updates, that made whahof.com a destination site on my own site. Included are stats and game results along with summaries from nearly every game in league history.

4. I don't get why people have more than one Facebook account. I barely use the one I have and wouldn’t miss it much if it disappeared.

5. Lots of people are showing signs of support for front-line workers these days, but where’s the love for those who’ve been callously put out of work by the government, including the many small business owners who are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy?

6. Dear Doug Ford: As long as you deem LCBO an “essential service,” you have no moral standing to force any business owner to shut his doors.

7. Wouldn’t it be nice if the same governments who are deciding what is essential and non-essential would refrain from non-essential expenses?

8. Spotted on my Facebook feed was a post from someone who said, “I say we close down the national media for 30 days and watch 80% of the world’s problems go away.” Ain’t that the truth.

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