Oilers at Sharks, G75 2024-25

This photo was taken about one year ago. Steve Lansky with the oversized sweater that costs more than my car, Bruce McCurdy with his walking outfit (he walked everyday forever) and me in the middle holding on to an Eddie Shack cup like it’s a Fabergé egg.

I had them on the Lowdown that day, and the highlight of the panel came from my knowledge about something they had in common: Both men were in the building for the Oilers first Stanley Cup victory in 1984. Since both had incredible memories, the events recalled from each gave us a ‘vantage point’ feel of an important point in team history.

I always felt Bruce should have been the Oilers official historian, and I also think it would be a nice touch for the organization to recognize him in some way. I don’t know what that might look like (maybe the “Bruce McCurdy official Oilers online library” with archived games and such) but do know he had an enormous impact on the fans of the team, and on media too.

I can’t tell you the number of people from the industry (media and NHL personnel) who Bruce influenced and who reached out yesterday. Many of those people mentioned to me over the years how much they enjoyed his post-game summaries and I do believe they were the best in hockey. ALL of hockey.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN APRIL

• On the road to: VEG, SJS, LAK, ANA (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
• At home to: STL, SJS (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: WPG (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: LAK (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• Overall expected results: 5-3-1, 11 points in 9 games
• April result: 1-0-0
• Current record: 43-26-5, 91 points in 74 games
• Final projected record: 47-29-6, 100 points in 82 games

Bruce would stop in at the house sometimes when out on his walks, and we met for coffee at Mercato many times. We famously caused a stir at Socrates one Sunday morning, and it’s this story that I’ve chosen to tell you today.

When Jo-Anne died, my world went black. I survived. I went to work, Dave Jamieson and Matthew Iwanyk carried me, and I stared at a wall. I would then drive to the grocery store, buy basics, and we’d order a pizza or make a sandwich. People brought food and left if at my door (the Kluk family, Dean Belanger, the Finans, Jayson Gagnon). My SIL’s Elaine and Heather McLellan came up to make sure we were okay, my BIL Kelly McLellan came to our house and did the same, fixed a few things around the place, too. We went to work, came home, tried to come to grips with things.

One day, Bruce texted me (this would have been February) and said ‘you have to get out in the world’ and he insisted we have breakfast at Socrates. I decided not to tell him the details of Jo-Anne’s passing (we went from no worries to her passing in one month) and we would just visit. But as I sat there, Bruce asked about it in his kind way and the flood waters burst through the dam.

In the history of ugly cries, my public and messy weeping at Socrates that morning ranks No. 1 overall. It included tears and more, those ridiculous snorts one releases in moments of sorrow or laughter, and I’m loud anyway. NO ONE in that restaurant was spared. Bruce sat quietly, listening and crying too.

Funny thing: when we were finished breakfast, I got up from the table and felt better. Crying is good for you, like a rain that brings sunshine. I told Bruce that it was good to get it all out, and we should do it again.

Bruce, with his inimitable timing that can only be compared to Bob Newhart, glanced over at the assembled group still stirring from my display, and said “yes, absolutely, but maybe we pick a different place next time” and I laughed for the first time in months.

Bruce, Anna and Kevin McCurdy represent the best of us. I am so sorry for the loss of Bruce. Selfishly, I’m dealing with my personal feelings. It’s a blow to me.

The important thing to note today: it is a life-altering event for Anna, Kevin and family. I imagine Bruce is yelling from the heavens, pleading for all of us to take care and look out for Anna and their family.

Bruce would tell me stories about her life’s work (she was a teacher, and her life’s work is helping all of us via the kids who grew to adults and became good people) and about their life together (hockey, music, laughter, joy, the sun, the moon and the stars).

Bruce was that rare man who felt no need to hold back delivering verbal flowers about the ones he loved, or the ones he felt deserved it. He spoke lovingly of Anna (they met in 1976, saw Procol Harum and many other concerts, watched the WHA and NHL Oilers, and raised a fine man in Kevin) and she of him in our conversation yesterday.

One great thing about Bruce, if you paid attention to him at all, he gave you an avenue to success as a human.

So, this is what I’m going to do. I’m going to give the McCurdy family time to come to grips with this event, and when the healing begins I will be there for them. I can’t cook, but I can do other things and when the time comes I’ll insert myself into their lives and help where I can. I’ll check in and see if they’re okay. I know you’ll do the same. Bruce’s loss has been felt by many, but the personal loss his family must feel today is almost too much to ponder. So, let’s agree to reach out from time to time and check on them. Kevin has already sent out a few tweets, I’ll use that as my guide. I know you will too.

On the Lowdown today, we’ll have David Staples from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal to share his memories and to discuss his time with Bruce (on the podcast and elsewhere) at 12:20. Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation will chime in at 1pm and we’ll read your texts about Bruce and the Oilers. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio, Radioplayer Canada, it’s available post-show on apple and spotify, and we tweet it out on X.