“A true icon” – Forward star Larry Jeffrey passes away at 81 after battling out eight NHL season


“A true icon” – Forward star Larry Jeffrey passes away at 81 after battling out eight NHL season

Larry Jeffrey passes away at the age of 81

Forward Larry Jeffrey defied physical injuries and outer noise to carve out an incredible 8 NHL seasons, passed out at the age of 81 on Monday. He won the Stanley Cup Championships in 1967 as part of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He made an appearance in a total of 368 regular-season games for the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the New York Rangers. 

Even in the face of odds, he showcased indestructible powerplays and recorded 101 points with 39 goals and 62 assists and 14 points with 4 goals and 10 assists in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The fact that Jeffrey played in the NHL even after getting physical injuries, was a miracle in itself. He defied the doctors and confounded the critics while standing strong with a hockey stick in his hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_LU_6dgK9w

Also Read| “Been an amazing ride” – Coach Jared Bednar brings Stanley Cup to South Carolina after Avalanche’s 2022 victory

FS Video

“Our hockey hero” – Larry Jeffrey died on Monday

Larry Jeffrey passes away at the age of 81
Larry Jeffrey passes away at the age of 81

Larry Jeffrey was part of the Red Wing’s affiliate in Hamilton where he sustained a charley horse symptom. It was so severe that he couldn’t even bend his knees. Following this, he suffered from minor to serious injuries and had to undergo 9-14 knee surgeries thereon. 

Later he was brought to Detroit for further treatment. Though the doctor suggested that he might not be able to walk, Jeffrey didn’t take long to prove him wrong. He turned into a professional player with Edmonton of the WHL in 1961-62 and made his NHL debut shortly after with the Red Wings.

As written on hockey1on1.com, Jeffrey quoted, “It just kept causing me problems every year after that, probably because in those days they didn’t have the equipment to look after severe injuries”. “They had a shower and a hose and that was your whirlpool-type thing. You held the hose to cause stimulation to the charley horse.” 

Also Read| “It’s been a whirlwind” – Defenceman Luke Prokop shares experience since coming out gay in 2021

Red Wings coach Sid Abel told columnist Joe Falls, “His kneecap is the size of a quarter”. “I doubt Larry will ever be able to play again.” But he strongly disagreed with the statement and noted, “Sid’s wrong, the kneecap is the size of a nickel”. “But I’ll play again. At least I hope I will. I just can’t give up. I’m too young for that.” 

He left the game in 1978 after completing eight NHL seasons. Goderich Mayor John Grace said upon Jeffrey’s death, “Everyone in our community was touched in some way by Larry Jeffrey and we’ve lost, I guess, our hockey hero”. “There is nobody in the community who didn’t know Larry and he really was a true icon in Goderich.”

Also Read| “Opportunity to play lots of games” – Vitek Vanecek signs three-year contract with New Jersey Devils, avoids arbitration hearing