There are innovators and imitators in life. The innovators are the people who forever changed how something is performed or viewed by future generations. The imitators are the benifactors of the hard work by innovators. The innovators are often copied, but never outdone (either by the effort of the imitators or their place in history). Who are these people who have influenced future players, coaches, builders, broadcasters, etc. in NHL history?
2007-11-17 13:30:53 · 10 answers · asked by Snoop 5 in Sports ➔ Hockey
That's an absolutely fascinating question, and one that never struck me before.
How did the game get to where it is today? I don't see an Alexander Cartright-type around; he essentially pushed baseball in a certain direction with a bunch of suggestions. Well, Art Ross and Lester Patrick certainly served a variety of roles and influenced the way the game is played.
Maurice Richard attracted attention, but he played in a six-team league. I can't say the stars of the last 30 years had that much of a role in that large sense, which lets Gretzky, among others out. None of the commissioners were particularly brilliant and foresighted.
That may leave us with Foster Hewitt, who brought the game to millions and helped it grow. He may have been the first to bring the possibilities of broadcasting to pro sports; that really was the first national broadcast in North America.
Sounds like a great idea for a book.
2007-11-18 15:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by wdx2bb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Art Ross
- he urged the forward pass in hockey to promote scoring
- he developed the nets we currently use
- he coined the Bruins moniker for Boston
- promoted the use of today's hockey puck (synthetic runbber as opposed to natural)
- he donated the Art Ross trophy
- he recommended both Red Dutton and Clarence Campbell as NHL Presidents
When the current Hall of Fame opened at BCE place in Toronto, there was an exhibit for Art Ross and the Patrick brothers as the most innovative and influential people in NHL history. It was there for 2-3 years.
Art Ross died in 1964, and is one of the few people in hockey I had wished I had met.
2007-11-17 23:19:41 · answer #2 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Depends from which point of view but for the forwards side it would be Wayne Gretzky or Gordy Howe but from the goalie side Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur..
Alot of people influence other people every day just some of those are the most popular
2007-11-17 21:44:52 · answer #3 · answered by Goaliedude89 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It has to be Foster Hewitt for me. The guy started the play-by-play in hockey, probably play-by-play in all of sports. Another few who deserves honourable mention are Roger Neilson (first guy to bring in video replays to study in the NHL...don't know why that took so long, but, hey...); and the Patrick brothers who got rid of most of the rugby rules that Creighton made and created new ones like the blue line and offsides. I got another one, but I'm a little distracted by Saturday night hockey. lol
2007-11-17 21:45:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Mark Messier.
2007-11-19 01:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has to be Lord Stanley of Preston . Without him we do not have the cup and that's what this game is all about.
<<<<<< Oh yeah! Leafs win 3 - 0! Read the avatar Sens fans.
2007-11-17 22:06:55 · answer #6 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Hate to join the masses but i gotta go with The Great One
2007-11-17 23:36:42 · answer #7 · answered by DC FURY 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gordie Howe or Bobby Orr
2007-11-17 21:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by msjune 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would say Wayne Gretzky ... and he still is not finished yet.
2007-11-18 23:41:31 · answer #9 · answered by john F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gotta be #99
2007-11-17 21:39:08 · answer #10 · answered by Tyrone 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋