Bruce Greig

Bruce Greig (May 9, 1953 – May 24, 2008) was a professional ice hockey winger who played nine games for the California Golden Seals of the National Hockey League and 60 games for the Calgary Cowboys, Cincinnati Stingers and Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association.

Bruce Greig
Born (1953-05-09)May 9, 1953
High River, Alberta, Canada
Died May 24, 2008(2008-05-24) (aged 55)
Nanton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for California Golden Seals
Calgary Cowboys
Cincinnati Stingers
Indianapolis Racers
NHL Draft 114th overall, 1973
California Golden Seals
WHA Draft 111th overall, 1973
Cleveland Crusaders
Playing career 19731984

Playing career

Greig played 41 total games in major junior hockey with the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Vancouver Nats in the WCHL in the 1971–72 and 1972-73 seasons, respectively. Although he was a fairly skilled player, he was relegated to the role of an enforcer, primarily due to his weight and size, something which was coveted by professional teams during this era of the "Big Bad Bruins" and the "Broad Street Bullies". However, there were many young enforcers coming up through the junior ranks during this period, and as a result Greig was selected 114th overall (8th round) of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the California Golden Seals, and 111th overall in round #9 in the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft by the upstart Cleveland Crusaders, both, not overly high draft placings.

After being cut from the Seals 1973 training camp, Greig chose to quit hockey and focus on other pursuits. However, he was called by the Seals organization during the mid 1973-74 season, and surprisingly was asked if he would report back to the Seals for a roster position for the remainder of the year. At the time, the Seals did not have a dedicated "enforcer", with the exception of skilled younger players such as Seals' rookie defenseman George Pesut who would occasionally step up and fill the role and protect teammates when necessary. However, for the skilled players, it was not deemed to be their role, and injuries were imminent. Consequently, the Seals were in need of a player with Greig's credentials and size. Greig accepted the Seals' offer and contract and joined the team in his new role. However, due to his lack of game shape at the time, he only played one game in the NHL for California in the '73-'74 season. On a conditioning stint, Greig then spent the remainder of the season (13 games) with the Seals' minor league team, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. The following season in 1974-'75, Greig played a total of 8 games for the Seals, accumulating 1 point, and 42 minutes in penalties, before being benched and sitting out the remainder of the season. The following year seemed to signal his decline in pro hockey, as he managed 10 games with the lowly Flint Generals in the International Hockey League and 1 game with the Seals main farm team, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in the '75-'76 season. He recorded 5 assists and 88 minutes in penalties while playing in the minors. However, in the '76-'77 season, interest was rekindled in the form of the World Hockey Association's Calgary Cowboys, who signed Greig for his fighting prowess. He played in 7 games for the Cowboys, and split the season playing for their minor league affiliate the Greensboro Generals. Following two seasons saw Greig traded to the Cincinnati Stingers and Indianapolis Racers which had the likes of eventual superstar Wayne Gretzky and high scoring Blaine Stoughton on the roster. Greig played in another 53 games in the WHA, and in the years to follow, Greig played in numerous leagues and for a variety of semi-pro teams before deciding in 1985 that his hockey career had come to an end.

After retiring from hockey Greig turned his exploits to powerlifting. He holds several Canadian powerlifting records, and eventually became president of the Canadian Powerlifting Council. He owned and operated a gym in Okotoks, Alberta with his wife, Wendy.[1] He was the brother of NHL hockey player Mark Greig.

Death

In 2008, Greig was involved in a single-car collision which claimed his life.[2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1971–72 Drumheller Falcons AJHL 50116
1971–72 Medicine Hat Tigers WCHL 1733611
1972–73 Vancouver Nats WCHL 2433679
1973–74 California Golden Seals NHL 10004
1973–74 Salt Lake Golden Eagles WHL 1312336
1974–75 California Golden Seals NHL 801142
1975–76 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 100011
1975–76 Flint Generals IHL 1005577
1976–77 Calgary Cowboys WHA 711210
1976–77 Greensboro Generals SHL 3310142468
1976–77 Tidewater Sharks SHL 20002
1977–78 Cincinnati Stingers WHA 3231457
1978–79 Indianapolis Racers WHA 21371064
1978–79 San Diego Hawks PHL 40151025168
1979–80 Dayton Gems IHL 42121729112
1979–80 Toledo Goaldiggers IHL 102682 10000
1980–81 Salem Raiders EHL 58203252213 62242
1981–82 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 903310
1981–82 Salem Raiders ACHL 37122032212 1116728
1982–83 Virginia Raiders ACHL 3581624133
1982–83 Carolina Thunderbirds ACHL 1145944
1983–84 Pineridge Bucks ACHL 37121224206
1983–84 Mohawk Valley Comets ACHL 502249
WHA totals 607916131
NHL totals 901146

References

  1. Diamond, D., Dinger, R., Duplacey, J., Fitzsimmons, E., Kuperman, I., Meagher, G., Pasternak, J., & Zweig, E. (Eds.) (1998). Total Hockey. New York City: Total Sports. ISBN 0-8362-7114-9
  2. Barlow, John (2008-06-04). "Renowned powerlifter killed in car accident". Western Wheel. Archived from the original on November 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-10.


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