He's been a member of The Ridge Club in South Sandwich, Mass., since the early 1990s. While the doctor took him off the Valium, Sanderson still needed something to calm his nerves before a flight. [16] By his estimate, he survived 10 hip surgeries, prostate cancer and two heart attacks. On November 1, in a game at Cleveland, Sanderson suffered a back injury when he slipped on a piece of paper on the ice. His partying lifestyle caught up with him by the time his career ended and he was found sleeping in an inebriated state on a bench in Central Park. We didn't recognize that password reset code. ", "I got up and left," Sanderson said. ", "Falling Down: The greatest downfalls in Canadian sports history", "20 Questions: Ex-NHLer Derek Sanderson on running the town and sleeping on its benches", "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Derek Sanderson", "The Ever Elusive, Always Inscrutable And Still Incomparable Bobby Orr", "Boston Sports Museum's 12th annual 'The Tradition', "A movie about a Bruins legend is in the works", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Derek_Sanderson&oldid=1150859446, Oklahoma City Blazers (19651977) players, Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Retired as the NHL career leader in shorthanded goals (currently 11th all time), Selected to the OHA-Jr. First All-Star Team. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 1970 and 1972 were, but for the man they called "Turk," the first one had Soon his bank account was running on fumes, too. But Sanderson says its important to consider the circumstances from which many athletes have come. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Its a poverty thing.. Bobby Orr arranged surgery for his hips destroyed by prednisone. I wanted to make sure they know what they own, why they own it and what they paid for it.. I had a reason to turn my life around," he says. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. He cares that much about his players, he never called us by our nicknames. Asked to name a moment that stands out as the craziest, Sanderson says softly, "They were all crazy. The guys said, 'Oh, what are you doing?' He drank at 12 after his girlfriend dumped him, and then at 14, consumed four beers in rapid succession. The drugs, including prednisone and cocaine, helped his hips but hurt his future. To begin with, Sanderson fears flying. What current Bruins do you appreciate when you watch the games? They wheeled the bed out, the whole nine yards. [3], Sanderson played junior hockey in his hometown with the Niagara Falls Flyers of the Ontario Hockey Association. He just loves the game. He started me and I sat beside Phil. 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They agreed to meet the Probably the most famous goal in hockey history is the winning tally in the 1970 Bruins Stanley Cup final game. But I realized that I needed help. Of his time in New York, Sanderson talks of living under a bridge, eating out of dumpsters and panhandling. WebSanderson asked the Bruins for an $80,000 contract. Booze and drugs send Sandersons life into a downward spiral but his superstar teammate Bobby Orr helps him get his life back together. I didn't think I was special or different. He did everything for everybody and it came to him. "I help athletes live within their means. A few smart-alec quotes in the press made his new owners irate and, before the season was over, the team bought him out for $1 million. A day earlier, the shaggy-haired Boston Bruins star of the late 60s and early 70s signed the richest contract in sports history a $2.65-million deal with the Philadelphia Blazers of the WHA (surpassing Pel on the highest-paid athlete list). See the website www.docgiff.com for more. Teddy Green said to me, 'What are you gonna do if we lose this?' After signing his contract with the Blazers, Sanderson covered a month-long excursion to Hawaii for seven people on his American Express gold card a bill of close to $47,000. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. The drug mellowed him before a flight, but it made him, groggy and irritable and interfered with his performance. Copyright 1999-2020 Boston Professional Hockey Association, Inc. and the National Hockey League. Those early years in Boston were the apex of his life. Boston Bruins and BostonBruins.com are trademarks of Boston Professional Hockey Association, Inc. (BPHA). Never. He co-founded a sports wealth management group in 1990. WebIn his book, 'Crossing the Line: The Outrageous Story of a Hockey Original, Derek Sanderson, who played for five NHL teams throughout his career including the Bruins I live across the street from Bobby. I saw it hit the back of the net and I said, 'Well, that's it, I think.' Sanderson played only eight games for the Blazers in an injury-plagued first season. During his career, Sanderson made several bad business investments and lost millions of dollars in the process. campaign very well. "The more I had, the more temptations there were, and the less I turned them down. Be sure to watch this NBC sports special. His popularity reached heartthrob and rock star status from the moment he arrived on the scene in 1966. It was widely speculated that it had hoped to prod Sanderson to bolt the team and void his lucrative deal but his contract was bought out for $800,000 after the season.[16]. WebFormer NHL player Derek Sanderson poses in Toronto on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. His long brown hair settled on his shoulders, matching his moustache perfectly a standard look for a 26-year-old professional hockey player from Niagara Falls in 1972. Instead, he explained basic principles such as compound interesthow the $56,000 an athletes brother wants for a new SUV could be worth $600,000 when the athlete is 65, if properly invested. All Rights Reserved. This Christmas, Sanderson is a happily married man with two children. It's hard to believe. After Sanderson and the Blazers parted ways, he returned to the Bruins for two seasons but suited up for only 54 games. By that time, Sanderson had developed vascular necrosis. I'll wear a sweatshirt home.'. It was cheap then, Sanderson says. Steroids were prescribed to alleviate the problem, but when they dried out his hip sockets, it only grew worse in nature. It made him mad, vindictive and then foolish. The content within Cybergolf.com is copyright-protected by its publisher, Orbit Enterprises, Inc. No part of Cybergolf.com may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Orbit Enterprises. My thanks to it for arranging this interview. I was intimidated by it. But he says he was embarrassed by it and almost turned it down. Sanderson continues, "My ego simply wouldnt let me. In St. Louis, Sanderson set career highs in assists and points scored in a season with 43 assists and 67 points, but recurring knee and alcohol problems prompted Blues management to trade him in 197677 to the Vancouver Canucks in return for a first-round pick in the 1977 draft. "I thought I looked pretty good and had my act together," he says. Still, Sanderson won the Calder Trophy in 1968 as NHL Rookie of the Year, and was a key component in the Bruins' championship teams, making the pass to Orr that set up the famous overtime goal that won the 1970 Cup. It wasn't long before Westfall and Sanderson emerged as the most accomplished penalty-killing tandem in the league. I never thought of what to say in those moments. WebThe snooty treatment embarrassed Derek Sanderson, who had grown up poor. . Sanderson made a bad first impression with Canucks management before a regular-season game had been played. It was a lot of fun, an exciting moment, a great time. I enjoyed it," he adds. While there, his clients often asked him, with a bit of concern in their voices, if he picked the stocks. Well, that might be tough. The two Stanley Cup championships, 1970 and 1972 I was pumped. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. I didnt understand it.. by The snooty treatment embarrassed Derek Sanderson, who had grown up poor. "Bobby will never turn his back on a friend. Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and well show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page. In the summer of 1972, Sanderson signed what was then the richest contract in professional sports history. 2023 Toronto Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. WebJudging by Bobby Orr's haircut that had to have been circa 1969--Turk Sanderson showed his class by pitching McKay's jersey into the crowd. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia sortie did not have a happy ending. For starters, the Rolls-Royce ran out of gas on the way home. Catherines Ontario, and he has been sober ever since. Sanderson was a maestro in the faceoff circle and was, along with sidekick Eddie the Shadow Westfall, one of the NHLs premier penalty killers. That crowd was the best anywherewe kind of matured together. In his book, 'Crossing the Line: The Outrageous Story of a Hockey Original, Derek Sanderson, who played for five NHL teams throughout his career including the Bruins and the Blues shares his hockey highs and lows and moments that would eventually see him homeless and living on the street. Sandersons teammates soon began calling him Turk. Harry Sinden had it going, there was nothing he did not think of and I never went into a game that Harry Sinden didnt give me something to think about, said Sanderson. [Blues defenseman] Jean-Guy Talbot should never have come to meif you're the defenseman, you're not gonna go behind the net. Harry Sinden was a genius. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. When youre a defenseman you are not going to go behind the net but he reached in and that was all I needed.. It was gang tactics most of the time. Multiple events lead to Sandersons downfall. He published another one at 26. They were the key to the enthusiasm. WebDerek Sanderson vs. Tim Horton, October 26, 1968 - Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs. It changes you, he says of a young mans fortune. It remains the only time in Bruins history that they had consecutive Calder Trophy winners.[8]. He grudgingly acceded to The Turks request to unlock the front door of a burgundy sedan so he could size up the front seat. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. He broke to the net on a give-and-go and (Blues defenseman) Jean Guy Talbot should never have come to me. They always had talent. But Sandersons story didnt end in financial tragedy. Eddie Shore Trophy, Presented by the Gallery Gods in 1972. "I have a wonderful wife and two great sons. Phil was on my right and he goes, 'I can't believe that.' Wanting to make sure that other hockey players would not follow his path, Sanderson organized The Professionals Group at State Street Global Advisors, where he was Director of The Sports Group that provided professional financial advice to athletes in the 1990s. Ah yes, and Jack Edwards, you are no Fred Cusick when it comes to play by play. We just didn't realize how popular we were at the time. It would have been a ho hum goal if Picard didn't trip him. [13] It also turned out to be the signature moment for both players in their careers. Then, while in a drunken stupor, he nearly froze to death sleeping in the snow. The Bruins captivated the Boston sports scene by winning their first NHL title in 29 years. Here's a recap of some of Sanderson's best memories. The doctor then advised Scotch, Dewars White Label. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Brash, cocky and flamboyant, he dressed in expensive suits, drove a silver Rolls Royce, wore a mink coat and sat on Johnny Carson's couch. He told clients about the lessons hes learned, about how lonely he felt surrounded by a world he purchased. There are 9,369 other movies coming out on the same date, including The Rosie Project, Bad Boys 4 and Praise This. Brad Marchand is the player to me who is gritty and in your face and hes got a great pair of hands, said Sanderson. The rink spanned two backyards of small cookie-cutter houses on lots provided at modest prices to servicemen such as Harold upon their return home. Especially for one nicknamed The Turk.. [14]. Its often forgotten that they started out from pretty average means, or worse. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. This made Turk groggy. Doctors informed Orr that his former teammate was an alcoholic and drug addict. Derek "Turk" Sanderson is a talented but troubled member of the Stanley Cup-winning Bruins in the 1970s. I like the Bruins. Remember, in those days we used to play a minute-and-a-half shift. I never really reacted right away. The next disaster occurred when Sanderson, along with Joe Namath, the football star, opened a bar in Boston, compounding his temptation. Sandersons defensive skills, two-way play and prowess in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill makes for a favorable comparison to Bruins first-line center Patrice Bergeron. WebTurk Becomes a Blazer by Frank Bertucci The Hockey Spectator August 1972 It was this city's biggest signing since 1776. For Sanderson, the tough hockey player and ultimate playboy, it must have taken an immense change of heart for him to get down on his knees and say, God help me, I cannot live this way any longer.. The owner of the Bruins wisely cautioned him that, for someone not bred to wealth, it would ruin his life. It's a 50-50 chance you'll get it, right? Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Sanderson was the son of Canadian Army Private Harold A. Sanderson, and Caroline Hall Gillespie of Dysart, Scotland. When I was young playing bantam, 11 or 12 years old, my father had me pay attention to every faceoff, said Sanderson. Then to find yourself broke, alcoholic, drug addicted and sleeping under bridges? The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Sanderson as a free agent in 197778. Who did I think I was at 24 [to be writing an autobiography]?". For comments, email info@docgiff.com or tweet @GiffordJonesMD. The sedate life of an amateur golfer is a long way from when he was spinning out of control with a combination of drugs, alcohol and far too much disposable income. WebDerek Sanderson has won 2 Stanley Cups as a player. On a whim, Sanderson would fly friends and Playboy bunnies to Hawaii, with the provision that that they leave with only the clothes on their back. He was just making sure the fans would remember the name Derek Sanderson as much as they remembered Orr's. I was interested in his story as I had attended the same school, lived on the same street and watched Sanderson as he started his hockey career with the Niagara Falls Flyers. "I hated the smell, so I held my nose and swallowed it all. Phil might have been a little upset, said Sanderson. They said, 'We're going for a beer.' Your existing password has not been changed. Six years after becoming the highest paid athlete in the world, a broke Sanderson was stealing booze from package stores and sleeping on a New York City park bench. WebHe was terrified of flying so the Bruins sent him to a psychiatrist who made two disastrous errors. "Somewhere along the way you meet up with responsibility and it's usually a woman standing there saying this is what we need to do.". We needed them and they appreciated us. Its not a white thing, a black thing, a Hispanic thing, he says. But signs of trouble developed immediately. He laughs and says, I made Orr famous!. They did a study on the top 10 sports pictures of the century and that picture won it. Sanderson asked the Bruins for an $80,000 contract. I had a lot of fun with the Rangers, but Montreal was the most difficult place to play in the first 10, 12 minutes. "And I signed with the Blazers." I loved the Bruins and the city. include items vital to surviving the extreme weather of every season. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. When you don't have an ending, you can't write a book. There was a few good guys, smaller people. The puck has to be inside your weighted foot and you have to stay behind it when you swing." So I asked Sanderson what finally saved his life. Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 20 April 2023, at 13:56. Sanderson insisted he was misquoted. No, no. When that last comment hit the newspapers, Sanderson was hauled into the office of Bruins coach Harry Sinden. And as the team celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its 1970 Cup championship, Sanderson sat down to remember some of the best stories and anecdotes from that era during a 45-minute virtual town hall with season ticket holders and media on Tuesday afternoon. He owned the record for eight seasons. It was over pretty quickly and Bobby took a chance along the wall, said Sanderson. This made Turk groggy. Its amazing that Sanderson didnt die. [10], He also received publicity for his numerous female companions and lavish ways, which included a Rolls-Royce car and circular bed. "When you're young and making $40 or $50 million, you don't know what to do with it," he says. Remember in our day, there was only one coach. Fifty years, we might have pretty well covered it all. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Combine a gritty style of play with quick hands and fast feet, throw in a swagger that sat well with his movie-star good looks, mix well with his fair share of nastiness and you have the young Derek Sanderson, better known by his friends and teammates as Turk. When did Derek Sanderson retire? Harold decided his son would become a hockey star, so Derek began skating at the age of 8 and received an expensive pair of skates at 12 with the promise that he would give his dad a Stanley Cup ring someday. What has Harry Sinden meant to the Bruins organization over the years? with another source. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. They'd just shake you off. Despite his attack on the "franchise," Sanderson actually gained a lot of respect from fans and management for his style of play that game. I said, 'Well, what are you gonna do?'. And for someone who was originally afraid of public speaking, he learned to be the hockey commentator on Boston Bruins broadcasts. "Bobby and I talked for a while, and then when I went to leave I walked straight into the wall. I've watched them for a long time and Marchand is my favorite. WebWhy is Derek Sanderson called Turk? His fights were as legendary as his charm, while his smothering fore-checks and tenacity in the corners were his trademarks. He was eventually able to get sober in the mid-1980s. How he walked into a Rolls-Royce dealership and pulled out in a dream. They decided that attractive airline attendants should have free drinks after landing in Boston. They had the Stanley Cup there and everything. I like that they go in and get involved. He had me pay attention to every face-off. In late 1978, Bobby Orr found his ex-teammate to be in dire straits in Chicago and checked him into a local hospital. I was a single guy playing for the most popular hockey team on the planet, beautiful women all around me. He was terrified of flying so the Bruins sent him to a psychiatrist who made two disastrous errors. Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Photo Credits, Golf a Constant for Once Flamboyant Derek Sanderson. Comparing players across generations can be skewed because modern NHL athletes are bigger, stronger, faster and better trained and equipped than the helmetless horde of the 1970s. Web1967 Topps. This is not TURK, the movie. In 1965 Turk led his team to the Memorial Cup, symbol of junior hockey supremacy in Defenseman Bobby Orr made the closing statement on the Bruins remarkable run when he potted the game-winner 40 seconds into the extra frame. [11] Named by Cosmopolitan as one of the sexiest men in America, he was the subject of gossip columns, a frequent guest on television talk shows.[12]. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. In April 1979, Sanderson married Rhonda Rapport, a former Playboy Bunny from Chicago. Really, I hated Montreal. [9] If the Frank J. Selke Trophy had been given to the top defensive forward during his Bruins stint -- the award made its debut in the 1977-78 season -- it's not unrealistic to think that Sanderson would have been the recipient more than once. As a leading star, the rival hockey league soon offered him an unprecedented $2.6 million dollars to be the first NHL player to switch to the WHA league. was playing for the Bruins. But I wore a tuxedo that night - St. Louis, they're not gonna beat us, so I wore a tuxedo to the Garden. He is now managing editor of Golf & Leisure Cape Cod magazine and has written for a variety of other publications, including Sports Illustrated, the Boston Globe, Yankee magazine and Cape Cod Life. "[The money] just sped up the process," he says. Brad Marchand is a player that's gritty, he's in your face, he's got a great pair of hands. Winning that night was not Sandersons agenda; enticing Orr into a brawl was. I was anonymous for the first time in my life. (The Blazers also gave his father a five-year, $250,000 deal as a scout.) Sanderson didnt listen. They were great. In Montreal, wow. That's goodthere was nobody behind him but St. Louis Blues players. Money meant nothing to me. What are the qualities of an accurate map? Get us past the opening and I can double you back and make it a defensive battle and eventually you're gonna win because we were that much better. Would give himself a lot more opportunities. "I liked life. WebTurk Derek Michael Sanderson (born June 16, 1946), nicknamed Turk, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and two-time Stanley Cup winner who set up the They agreed to meet the next day. Derek "Turk" Sanderson is a talented but troubled member of the Stanley Cup-winning Bruins in the 1970s. [6] After spending four years in the OHA, Sanderson turned pro by signing with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League in 196566, and made his professional debut that season by playing two games with the Bruins. A look at the Turk behind-the-scenes crew and production team. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Those fans were comedians. Booze and drugs send Sandersons life I watched him, I think it was his first training camp. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic.