THN.com Blog: What image best encapsulates hockey?
Many people believe Bobby Orr flying through the air is hockey's most majestic image. (Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Rory Boylen
2008-08-21 10:49:25
When I was visiting some friends recently, it didn’t take long – it never does - for talk at the card table to turn to hockey.
That’s when an interesting topic surfaced and a good discussion started to ripple.
If you had to define hockey with one image, one captured moment in time, what would it be? What’s the first thing that pops into your head when asked that question?
Is it possible to explain the essence of hockey through one flash of a camera? Can it explain to someone discovering hockey for the first time why the sport has entranced so many and made them so passionate and protective of their game?
Is the picture you first envision of Bobby Orr flying through the air like superman after scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal?
What about a triumphant Paul Henderson, arms raised in celebration, being bear-hugged by Yvan Cournoyer as a disappointed Soviet team sags in defeat?
For the historically inclined, maybe it’s Gordie Howe hooking a young Wayne Gretzky around the neck, as if welcoming the next generation of greatness to the spotlight.
If you want to get a little more modern, it could be Jose Theodore wearing a toque over his helmet at the winter classic.
For you goaltenders out there, perhaps it’s Johnny Bower sliding out with a pokecheck to guard his net, despite not having any facial protection whatsoever. What about a bloodied Jacques Plante, donning the mask for obvious reasons? Or maybe it’s Terry Sawchuk, before masks were commonplace.
If those pictures just give you nightmares, perhaps one that’s a little tamer, like Ken Dryden leaning on his stick, is etched in your mind, or even the famous Ken Danby painting.
Maybe it was something simple, like a war-weary veteran lifting the Stanley Cup in ecstasy or an example of hockey’s purity.
For die-hard Canadiens fans or just fans of the game's intense nature, a shot of Maurice Richard staring back at you with eyes that burn a hole into your very soul speaks volumes.
The most popular answer I’ve encountered was Orr, scoring the goal every aspiring NHLer dreams of before they’ve even learned how to lace up their own skates.
But as I thought about it, there was one image out there that spoke to me. “This is hockey. This is why I love the game. This is what it’s all about.”
It’s simple, victorious and speaks to many different aspects of the game. It’s an exhausted, battle-tested, toothless and smiling Bobby Clarke with Lord Stanley’s grail clutched in his arms.
It’s hockey’s ultimate moment in time. It shows the exhaustion from a battle fought to grab the Cup and doesn’t hide the wounds and the sacrifice that are necessary to achieve it. We all dream of it and this shot shows even grown men look like little children when they finally have it in their grasp.
The subject is a matter of personal taste and there is no one definitive answer, so I ask you: What picture do you think best describes the greatness of the game of hockey?
Rory Boylen is THN.com's web content specialist. His blog appears Thursdays.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
Mike Clark (Posted 2008-08-25 21:46:04)
My idea, seriously.....
Anyways, best hockey moment is Brendan Shannahan after a fight he had two years ago, blood streaming down his face in the box. What does he do? Just grabs a water bottle and washes it off.
George Bachul (Posted 2008-08-23 20:25:47)
Roy wink... http://www3.sympatico.ca/thehockeyattic/roywink2.jpg
Kevin (Posted 2008-08-23 11:19:30)
How about Martin Brouder jumping up and down when Team Canada beats the U.S.A in the gold medal game in 2002.
ddawwidd (Posted 2008-08-23 10:51:13)
I can't find it anywhere on photos, but there are two long television shots that just come to my mind. One is Wayne Gretzky sitting on an empty bench after the Czechs won the semifinal in Nagano. He just stares on the ice, knowing that he will never have olympic gold and after a long while he skates to his team.
Second is similar - it's Steve Yzerman's face during game 4 of 1997 finals. He's also on the bench looking at the ice. You can see pure determination in his stare. He knows his greatest dream is about to come true.
orion (Posted 2008-08-23 06:20:40)
ovechkin losing at the world juniors in 2005. the look of utter defeat, tears rolling down his face.
Flterfan52 (Posted 2008-08-22 23:04:16)
Kariya on the bench after Forsberg scored to win the gold during the shootout in '94 is priceless. The look is his face is every athlete that lost something they though was won.
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-22 21:02:27)
Good call Desmond, the only time I can recall that my boss let me take a un-scheduled break. Good job by Murphy giving Gretzky an option and messing with the goalies head.
desmond McKilligan (Posted 2008-08-22 20:55:30)
For me it wil always be the Mario Lemieux from Wayne Gretzky 6-5 goal against the USSR.They had split the 1st 2 games 6-5, and Lemieux got that 1 with less than a couple of minutes left. Both hockey super-powers had arguably the best teams ever assembled by anyone ever. The goaltenders on both teams were super stars, but there was 11 goals per game......the best 3 hockey games I have ever watched
Michael B. Rizik Jr. (Posted 2008-08-22 20:37:02)
My favorite picture is after Mike Eruzione scored the winning Miracle on Ice goal. It is a recurrent background on my laptop, and was the greatest moment in sports history.
Joe D (Posted 2008-08-22 17:22:53)
and all this time i thought that the greatest player ever to play this game, num-bah 4, could actually fly.... hey Bo, stick to football.... or is that baseball ?
Braden (Posted 2008-08-22 15:20:30)
Bo- huh? How, in any way, is the picture a sham? Most people know that Orr was celebrating a goal he had just scored, which won the Stanley Cup, and was tripped by the defenseman causing him to go flying through the air. So he scored a cup winning goal (in the 7th game of the series I think? Forgive me if I am wrong. Can't rememeber if it was overtime or not.) and his celebration combined with the trip created this brilliant picture. I hadn't seen it live cause I am only 17, but I have seen the clip lots just like any hockey fan has. Nice try though. At first I thought you were going to go on about how it is possible to see the wires holding Orr up, or that maybe it was a stunt double or something.
Chris (Posted 2008-08-22 13:29:35)
The Miracle on Ice - Team USA beating Russia right at the end of the game when they are celebrating.
Bob Roberts (Posted 2008-08-22 12:47:35)
Everyone here seems to know all the best sites for hockey shots. Has anyone ever seen a picture of Stan Mikita standing on the penalty bench and conducting the crowd at MSG? It really sticks in my mind as a favourite hockey picture and I'd really like a copy of it. Thanks for your help.
Gordon (Posted 2008-08-22 12:36:00)
any photo of a stanley cup presentation before players started carrying the cup around the ice by themselves. specifically a hockey card that i had growing up of the islanders winning the cup, can't remember who it was in it but three guys lifting the cup with the team, fans and a complete celebration going on all around.
jan (Posted 2008-08-22 11:52:32)
the 1980 US Olympic hockey team gets my vote. But a picture of one of our students with special needs having his picture taken with "real hockey players" from the AHL's Rochester Americans hockey team (who really enjoy meeting their fans) will get my vote as well.
bostonblueline.blogspot.com (Posted 2008-08-22 11:11:21)
Bo, did you seriously think that Orr was levitating horizontally in the air using his magic flying skates, or had you simply never seen the most replayed highlight in the history of the game? Calling that photo a "sham" implies that someone other than yourself had been tricked by it. bostonblueline.blogspot.com
Glen Hoos (Posted 2008-08-22 08:58:59)
Bai, I agree... no picture captures the mutual respect between hockey's warriors than the one of Rocket Richard, blood streaming down his face, shaking hands with Jim Henry after scoring his legendary goal. See it here: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1009/1393556478_06f9fa51be.jpg?v=0
Andrew Conlin (Posted 2008-08-22 05:26:42)
Are we debating which image is most historic or which image best captures the game itself? For historic significance, I'd suggest the shot of Bill Barilko's overtime Cup winner in 1951. Beautiful action shot with a tragic story. I'd also agree the Orr shot is a bit overrated - it's great, but the series was a sweep and the 'diving through the air' is just him being upended after the goal. I'd love to see some shots that capture the game, not necessarily a star player or big goal. A bruised up minor leaguer giving his all away from the money and spotlight - that's hockey.
Patrick (Posted 2008-08-22 03:50:47)
Best topic ever!
Oregon Hockey Fan (Posted 2008-08-22 02:17:34)
This shot of Valteri Filppula doing his Bobby Orr impression from this year's Stanley Cup Finals. It wasn't a bigger goal than Orr's, but it's a better picture. .................................................................................
http://elbow18.blogspot.com/2008/05/amazing.html
Bai Jiansi (Posted 2008-08-22 01:26:59)
I'm biased, being a Habs fan, but the Rocket shaking hands with Bruins goalie Sugar Jim Henry, both exhausted and covered with blood, IS hockey. Bobby Orr in mid-air, Bourque with the Cup, Clarke's toothless grin and Roy's "clin d'oeil" to Tomas Sandstrom after a save in the '93 Finals are also all-time classics.
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-21 23:54:44)
Bo, who cares when the puck went in?! It's not a great picture because we all think he was magically scoring while flying through the air, we all know how it happened. It was a nice give and go, to win the cup and he ended up flying horizontally through the air. And we're not debating the greatest goal ever scored, just the best image.
Bo Jackson (Posted 2008-08-21 23:41:47)
THE ORR PHOTO IS A SHAM!
He was uplifted by the Blues player after the puck was in the net!!!! Everyone makes it out to be the greatest goal ever, but the puck was in the net before Orr went flying! Any doubters? Watch the clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnJFeR-P4LI
sean (Posted 2008-08-21 23:24:05)
neilw - you got it brother! The things that spoke to me were Sawchuk because it just scared the hell out of me, the pond hockey because it brought back so many memories of my friends and family during Christmases past and. If I had to add a few, they'd be the team photo of the Canadian women winning Gold in Salt Lake, Peter Forsberg scoring against Team Canada in the Gold medal game and Ryan Smyth's teary good-bye at the International Airport in Edmonton. Damn, I love this game!!
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 23:10:54)
In my original post I mentioned a print of an ankle-skater getting a penalty. I think it was named Sin Bin. Anyone recall it?
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 23:06:08)
I've actually got a print of the Henderson goal just above my monitor. Ghost image of the jump into Cournoyer's arms. Most of the images raised on this site are great. We all have different defining moments. Age makes a difference, of course. The Rocket was mostly before my time but he was a warrior. I guess I have different favorites from each era the NHL seems to go through. Any picture of Team Canada winning gold works for me.
neilw (Posted 2008-08-21 22:55:10)
This article and the comments I have skimmed over below totally miss the point. How come all of you, whether you have played the game yourselves or just watch it on t.v. have to equate the greatest moment in hockey to the NHL? I guess I am not surprised, but a discussion of this nature doesn't really add anything to the game or what it stands for.
esto (Posted 2008-08-21 22:39:32)
Bill Barilko, 1951. The image is haunting.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 22:36:09)
Thanks Tommy P. There are also good pictures at www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/philly/flyerspics.html . Everybody important from Clarke, Leach, Ashbee, etc. to Richards, Carter and Lupul.
Mike (Posted 2008-08-21 22:18:44)
I agree with Nik that Roy's wink is an iconic moment in hockey history. The moment I saw this article, the image of Patrick Roy's famous wink came to mind. Though, as a goaltender, I would like to see Roy's pic at the top, it is impossible to argue with the historical precedent of Orr's 'superman' as the embodiment of hockey.
Tommy P (Posted 2008-08-21 22:15:08)
Yo Flyerfan52, I got the best one right here for ya. Bernie Parent on the cover of Time magazine and the caption reads, "Hockey: War on Ice" Parent is just staring into the camera looking like he can snag your slap shot and beat the living crap out of you at the same time. Theres the link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9405875@N07/2487810683/
carrie (Posted 2008-08-21 22:05:21)
I'm gonna have to go with either the celebration of the Miracle team after the win, jim craig looking for his dad with the American flag draped around him after the Miracle team won gold vs Finland or when all the boys on the Miracle team got on the podium together and put up their "number 1's".
bobby orr's "the goal" is also a timeless classic.
Collin Lane (Posted 2008-08-21 21:19:35)
Yzerman with Konstantinov holding the cup and smiling in his wheelchair. For all the flak hockey gets for being a violent sport, that showed the true spirit and meaning of the game.
moonknight (Posted 2008-08-21 21:12:25)
i remember a shot of Gilmour from probably the '93 playoffs where he's just getting set on the faceoff. his eyes look all hollow and he just looks so ragged and determined. he was famous for losing like twenty pounds as the playoffs went on. i know Messier has "the stare" but Gilmour just looked so determined in that shot.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 19:29:10)
Tommy p, I remember that picture of Hextall. Any idea where to find it on the net. A cartoon in THN after Lindbergh passed showing the Flyer logo with a tear coming out was also very haunting. I wish I'd kept that one.
Tommy P (Posted 2008-08-21 18:59:36)
Kenn, I really don't like the Rangers that much but after 80 years or so of not winning a Stanley cup, you have to at least appreciate the enormity of their win. (at least it wasn't those trouserstain devils that won) I do love the huge crowds running onto the spectrum ice after the Flyers won in '74. The security can't even control the fans. Another image that is chilling to me is the one of Ron Hextall with the Conn Smyth and Vezina but not Stanley's cup. It makes me pissed that he didn't get it a disappointing image thats almost haunting.
Jimi Guy (Posted 2008-08-21 18:28:14)
Paul Henderson, no question about it!
Jeff (Posted 2008-08-21 18:27:14)
It has to be Jim Craig wrapped in the Flag looking for his father after the Miracle on Ice or Jack O'Callahan on his knees in celebration with a toothless grin. The Bobby Orr picture is the the greatest NHL picture of all time.
Nik (Posted 2008-08-21 17:52:08)
It's not a picture, but when Patrick Roy winked at Thomas Sandstrom in the 1993 SC final, that was pretty cool.
behindthenet (Posted 2008-08-21 17:51:32)
for me, it's 1972, Henderson scores for team Canada to win the tournament. Orr in the air is very close second. Both pics are worthy.
Joe D (Posted 2008-08-21 17:24:53)
Orr behind the net to Sanderson, to Orr, Bobby Orr.... That's Hockey !!!!
Maxim (Posted 2008-08-21 17:06:38)
My friends who lack any hockey knowledge, would only know one of those images. and that's number 4 flying threw the air. No picture better describes hockey.
Matty Laurin (Posted 2008-08-21 16:56:02)
I was fortunate enough to be at the GM Place for Trevor Linden's final game this season and what an event. Canucks fans gave an earnest cheer for Iginla when he scored his 50th goal, in an emotional third period in which Iggy and Linden barely left the ice. After the game as a couple of Flames were leaving through the tunnel Jerome skated over and called them back onto the ice to shake Trevor's hand. Watching Iggy shake TL's hand was something special. Another would have to be Theoren Fleury's celebration after scoring in overtime against the Oilers in 1991 and then sliding half the ice on his knees/back.
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-21 16:30:46)
How about Mario making Bourque look like a pilon?
Maverick (Posted 2008-08-21 16:29:04)
The Mario Lemieux deke in 1991 against Jon Casey is a classic, before and after.
kenn kerper (Posted 2008-08-21 16:20:06)
Tommy, as a diehard flyers fan you should be made sick by the rangers winning in 94. as for definitive hockey images clarke jumping after scoring on the bruins during the finals is on the top of my list, but as much as he broke my heart lindros' acceptance of the hart trophy in 95 when he started to cry was also a very special moment
derek (Posted 2008-08-21 16:11:27)
Team Canada winning gold and beating team USA @ the '02 olympics, GO CANADA!!!!
Tommy P (Posted 2008-08-21 15:40:02)
I am a die hard Flyers fan for life but I do have to admit, The Rangers in 94. Just seeing the elation of all of the fans and players was something to behold, even for a Flyers fan like me. Its heart wrenching to see when Brian Leetch got the MVP and his whole body convulsed and twitched in elation. That is some powerful stuff man.
Barrett (Posted 2008-08-21 15:23:20)
For me it is simple, 1994, game seven, game is over, it is a wide angle shot of the Rangers celebrating at center ice and what is in focus is a man in the crowd with a sign that reads "Now I can Die in Peace" to me that best shows the love, passion and connections to the past that makes hockey the world greatest game.
Kurt Simer (Posted 2008-08-21 15:16:36)
I would vote for the celebration after the Miracle on Ice or Steve Yzerman's solo lap with the Cup.
Mark Rice (Posted 2008-08-21 15:00:06)
What about the mayhem after "The Miracle on Ice?" THat gets my vote.
Flyers guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-21 14:51:06)
Re. classy cup hand offs, Gretzky to Steve Smith is my favourite.
freddy (Posted 2008-08-21 14:22:25)
mccarty's 1997 cup winning goal and his celebration?
TB from Moose Jaw (Posted 2008-08-21 14:15:15)
I agree with shadd. Ray really has no comparitors (in my personal opinion anyway) and that one shot of him hoisting the cup (after the classiest move I had EVER seen when Joe Sakic handed him the cup to raise it first) is the epitomy of a careers worth of determination and skill and what it means to play the greatest game on earth. With all-do respect to Bobby Orr, who was by far the best defenceman of HIS time, Raymond Bourque finally winning Lord Stanley's prize and raising it is the image that sticks out. All great suggestions and examples to be sure and it really IS tough to pick just one as there are so many of them. Kudos for such a FANtastic question!!!!
Steve from Winnipeg (Posted 2008-08-21 13:49:08)
My favourite has got to be that photo of Teemu Selanne celebrating his rookie record-breaking goal in 1993 by "shooting" his glove in the air (but being from Winnipeg, I'm biased), or else any one of Ovechkin's MANY goal celebrations. Both players just look like they're having fun and love to score goals; and that to me embodies what hockey is all about.
shadd (Posted 2008-08-21 13:28:28)
as a youngish habs fan (i'm 27) i would kind of like to say the image of koivu playing in his first game after beating cancer but the hockey fan in me feels that seeing ray bourque win his cup is what describes hockey best to me. the look in his eyes you can see the passion and commitment he had for the game and you can tell that everything that he did in his career was worth it for that one moment
Bob Roberts (Posted 2008-08-21 13:20:40)
I've tried hard to pick just one image, but there's no way. I've played and loved the game of hockey for over 50 years (can it be that long?) and have so many images of its moments in my head I'd need weeks or maybe months to pick just one image. What a great question, though; probably one to rival "Who's the best of all time?" as a debate-starter.
I remember Stan Mikita standing on the penalty bench, conducting the Madison Square Garden crowd.
And the Russian team retreating to the dressing room at the Spectrum.
And Orr wacking the puck waist-high to score from the corner (and almost IN the corner) at the Forum.
And Eddie Shack's hat-trick first star goals at Maple Leaf Gardens.
And Esposito making 78 moves in 10 feet to tuck it in as he skated behind the net on Bruce Gamble.
And Gretzky's zinger over Vernon's shoulder. (And Gretzky. And Gretzky. And Gretzky.)
And on and on and on.
Great topic.
Shawn (Posted 2008-08-21 13:19:52)
I think the Terry Sawchuk re-enacted photo is great; but it needs a lot of context to explain the game.. so I'd have to say the Orr-Superman or the Clarke-toothless grin are tied for how well they define "hockey"
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-21 13:05:12)
How about that shot of Shack jumping on the guys back?
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-21 13:01:05)
I love the gap toothed Bobby Clarke shot but Orr in mid air has to be the best one.
bostonblueline.blogspot.com (Posted 2008-08-21 12:44:22)
Fantastic article -- this makes me want the season to start NOW, dammit!
As far as the single greatest icon goes... there can be none other than Orr's superman goal. It's head and shoulders beyond any other image of hockey greatness.
bostonblueline.blogspot.com
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 12:42:00)
I don't remember who did it but there's a print of a little boy, shorter than the boards, being sent to the penalty box. The look on his face is priceless.
Michel (Posted 2008-08-21 12:38:49)
The Bobby Orr and summit series both came to mind. I also thought of people estatically lifting the cup - Bourque in 2001, or Gretzky in 1984. I think also Gretzky's last game has a few famous shots of him waving to the crowd. I think the best Stanley Cup shot is Messier in '94 because he looks like he's about to explode.
I'd have to go with 1) Orr, 2) Richard, and 3)Messier with a cup though
Mario (Posted 2008-08-21 12:26:24)
Mario carrying the flag with a gold medal around his neck after Canada won its first gold in 50 years in 2002
Andrew (Posted 2008-08-21 12:08:13)
Either 1980 USA crowding their goal in celebration afte beatiing the Soviets, or Messier jumping 10 feet in the air after the final faceoff against Vancouver in 1994!!!
THE Penguin (Posted 2008-08-21 12:05:51)
For me, it is Mario Lemieux holding the Stanley Cup aloft in 1992.
Randall Buschmann (Posted 2008-08-21 12:02:05)
Bobby Orr in the air is, and always will be no. 1 in my book. Honestly, nothing can top that.
Angelo (Posted 2008-08-21 11:55:04)
I am the biggest Habs fan on the planet, but the portrait that best displays what hockey is all about is Bobby Orr's of the Boston Bruins. Every time i look at this picture i get major goosebumps.
James Finney (Posted 2008-08-21 11:34:53)
Tough question. As a Bruins fan, I want to say Bobby Orr. As an American, I want to say the Miracle on Ice (either US celebration or USSR look of disbelief). As a pure hockey fan, I love the pictures of Plante, Dryden, Richard, Howe, and the Pond Hockey. I'd say they all of something to add to the definition of hockey and no one picture can claim the complete definition of hockey.
Carl Flaubert (Posted 2008-08-21 11:24:28)
Yes, the photo of Rocket Richard shaking Sugar Jim Henry's hand. It's all here: the competition and toughness of the game, the sportsmanlike respect for you opponent, the winner and the loser, the goal-scorer vs the goaltender. It's beautiful. Please post a link to it.
Here is a brief summary I found (http://www.nationalreview.com/thecorner/04_02_01_corner-archive.asp):
"Richard, in the second period of that Game 7, had been knocked cold, then returned late in regulation to score the winner. He'd later go into convulsive shock. Henry's eyes had been blackened by a broken nose, suffered in Game 6."
Tony (Posted 2008-08-21 11:21:19)
BY FAR, The USA celebration beating the Russian team, Nothing Comes Close! Best moment in Sports HISTORY. Best win EVER in Hockey or by a sportst team (and it was a USA team!).
Dr. Shinny (Posted 2008-08-21 11:09:11)
Brilliant idea for an article. Way to hustle! The pond hockey shot captures it best, I think. Professional hockey is merely the forum in which we all now enjoy the sport. Living vicariously through the NHL. Remember going out on to the pond or into the street and throwing all our sticks in a pile? Or electing the two best players in the group as captains and having them draft their players one by one for a game of road hockey? CAR !!!! Now that's an image!
Scott Harrington (Posted 2008-08-21 11:08:10)
What about Lake Placid? Possibly the single greatest "moment" in sports...Jack O'Callahan on top of (was it Ramsey?) with his arms up? How about Jim Craig draped in the flag looking for his father?
Greg Dries (Posted 2008-08-21 10:59:01)
The picture of Rocket Richard going through the handshake line bleeding from his forehead.
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