The Man In The Striped Shirt
09/11/2008 02:27
Ray Scapinello reflects on 33 years as a NHL linesman and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Ray Scapinello saw it all during his NHL career.
As a linesman, 'Scampy' shared the ice with the likes of Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Phil Esposito and many more on a long list of hockey's all-time greats.
Scapinello worked 2,508 regular-season and 426 playoff games, and 20 Stanley Cup finals, and never once missed work due to sickness or injury during his remarkable 33-year NHL career. His longevity and iron-man streak is all the more amazing when you consider he never wore a helmet and visor, from his first game in 1971 to his last one in 2004.
It's been four years since he retired, but Scapinello's time away from the NHL hasn't dimmed his love affair with hockey, or his memories.
"Man, it was so much fun. It was never work. The famous saying about finding a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life, that was me," said Scapinello.
"I don't like to use the word work when describing my career because it was never work. I loved every minute of it."
In a one-on-one interview with CBCSports.ca, Scapinello, 62, reflected on his 33-plus years as an NHL linesman and about being officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 10.
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To read the interview with Ray Scapinello, click here.