Calgary's Classy Tribute to Brad McCrimmon

Babcock and McCrimmon

Brad McCrimmon made an indelible though scarcely recognized impact on the hockey world both as a player and as a coach, and he did both in Detroit.  He spent three seasons playing with the Wings in the early 90s, sharing defensive duties with the likes of Steve Chiasson, Mark Howe, and Paul Coffey.  He also had a hand in shaping a couple of rookies: Vladimir Konstantinov and Nicklas Lidstrom.  He assisted Mike Babcock for three seasons including the run to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions in 2009, falling short to Pittsburgh in seven games.

October 7, 2011

In May of 2011 McCrimmon bid farewell to his assistant coaching duties with Detroit to become the head coach of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League.  Nearly the entire team was tragically taken from this world after a plane crash in September.  The Wings paid an emotional tribute to their fallen friend at Joe Louis Arena in October with McCrimmon's wife Maureen, daughter Carlin, and son Liam.

Maureen and Carlin McCrimmon

Before Detroit's matchup in Calgary on Tuesday, the Flames organization put on its own tribute to its former captain and Stanley Cup champion.  As in Detroit, McCrimmon's wife and children walked out onto the ice, joined by his parents, siblings, and niece.  Current Calgary captain Jerome Iginla and a few other players skated to the family to deliver flowers, hugs, and heavy hearts.

Unaware of the planned events, I watched the full pregame coverage on Fox Sports Detroit on Tuesday night.  It was an extremely emotional scene that touched everyone in the Saddledome and anyone who watched at home.  I certainly choked up during the ceremony as I saw the family graciously stand before thousands and allow a  new wound to reopen on television.  The video bio that played on the Jumbo-Tron was also broadcasted on FSD.

One of the perks of my old career in radio was getting to know other, much-more known and respected members of the media.  One man with whom I had the great opportunity to speak with and am grateful to remain in contact with is FSD's John Keating.  I've been watching him on FSD and the old PASS Network for as long as I've been watching Detroit sports.  He is Detroit sports.  I sent John an email, thanking him and FSD for broadcasting the tribute in its entirety for us back in Michigan.  I also asked him if he would share a few thoughts about Brad McCrimmon:

JK: Great guy.  Very low key.  Quick sense of humor.  He was called "Beast" by everybody, and he and Mark Howe formed one of the most successful pairings ever.  It was very emotional last night in Calgary, I felt for the family to have it all brought back to them, but they seemed very touched, appreciative.

He also mentioned that he had sent a tip to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun about an interesting pregame story.  McCrimmon's son, Liam, was invited to skate around with the Red Wings, many of whom played with, were coached by, and were friends with his father.  It's a fantastic article that gives insight into the changes Liam, a teenager, has been forced to deal with over the last several months.

Keating also mentioned there would be another similar tribute when the Wings travel to Philadelphia on March 6.  McCrimmon played five seasons with the Flyers in the mid-1980s before moving on to Calgary, then Detroit.  The man touched many lives and definitely left an impression everywhere he went.

Thank you John.

Rest in Peace Brad.

Peace. AWP