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SpiderManNL


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John (Junior) Hanna dies at age 70
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http://www.cbc.ca/ns/story/hockeylegendobit20051121.html


 


Cape Breton hockey legend John "Junior" Hanna died in hospital Sunday morning after battling cancer.

He was 70 years old.

Hanna played in the National Hockey League during the era of the original six teams.

Born in Sydney, Hanna began his professional career with Philadelphia Ramblers of the Eastern Hockey League.

He moved on to the NHL in 1958 where he played for the New York Rangers for almost three years. He also played with the Montreal Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Hanna also played in the Western Hockey League where he earned honours including the Hal Laycoe Cup for outstanding defenceman and the Leader Cup for most valuable player.

Hanna retired from professional hockey in 1974 and returned to Cape Breton where he remained active in local hockey, serving on the board of directors for the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League and supporting KidSport, an organization dedicated to providing sporting opportunities for low-income children.

Cape Breton Crush coach Kevin Morrison remembers Hanna as a "pillar," a man of "impeccable character" who "never had a bad word to say about about anybody ... found the good in everybody and had nothing but good things to say about people."

"He wasn't just about the game on the ice. He was about the game of life," Morrison said. "He always learned from people and he always said, 'Don't burn your bridges. Learn from people you meet and respect the people you meet.'"

Morrison described Hanna as a solid, robust hockey player who played more with his heart than anything else. "His work ethic was impeccable," he said, adding, "He will be missed."



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Nil d


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I was going to post something about Junior Hanna today; you beat me to it, Spidey.  Junior Hanna was a legend in these parts, and the first player of Lebanese descent in NHL history.  He was a fixture in Cape Breton hockey circles.  MacNeil (Red Dog), have you ever met him?


 



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heet_150


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One thing I notice whenever I read an article about a player from the original six, is that these guys did not make millions or even hundreds of thousands of dollars during their careers, they made enough to survive (sure some got more than others).  But after their playing career is over, they absolutely immerse themselves into doing something good for their community.  Junior Hanna is a perfect example.  I had not, until I read this article, heard of Junior Hanna, so I assume that he did not make a fortune during his playing days.  And yet, he volunteered his time to "serving on the board of directors for the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League and supporting KidSport, an organization dedicated to providing sporting opportunities for low-income children."


I wish there were more Junior Hannas out there.



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Nil d


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heet_150 wrote:

One thing I notice whenever I read an article about a player from the original six, is that these guys did not make millions or even hundreds of thousands of dollars during their careers, they made enough to survive (sure some got more than others).  But after their playing career is over, they absolutely immerse themselves into doing something good for their community.  Junior Hanna is a perfect example.  I had not, until I read this article, heard of Junior Hanna, so I assume that he did not make a fortune during his playing days.  And yet, he volunteered his time to "serving on the board of directors for the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League and supporting KidSport, an organization dedicated to providing sporting opportunities for low-income children." I wish there were more Junior Hannas out there.

Well said, heet!  Junior Hanna was well-known in these parts (NS), but mainly because he was one of the few NHL'ers from here over the years - even the marginal guys are legends.  But Junior Hanna was a special guy, to be sure.


 



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