'A legend': Bruce Gordon was long-time voice of the U of S hockey Huskies
Bruce Gordon (BA'83, MA'85, PhD'92) — the voice of Huskies’ hockey for nearly four decades — will be remembered as a true “Huskie legend,” a campus hockey “fixture” and unique, one-of-a-kind tradition.
By Darren Zary | Saskatoon StarPhoenix“He was a legend who never donned the skates (for the Huskies),” said long-time University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey coach Dave Adolph, who had known Gordon since the early 1980s.
Gordon, who worked as the public address announcer for U of S men’s hockey games since the 1980s, passed away Friday night in Regina, surrounded by family.
He was 58.
“It’s a huge loss,” says friend and colleague Murray Guest, who, as a member of the Huskies’ game-day off-ice officiating crew, worked alongside Gordon longer than anybody else.
“It’s going to be a tough (act to) follow, a really tough follow.”
By day, Dr. Gordon was a respected and well known psychologist. On the weekends, he was a popular fixture at Huskie games.
He had a voice for radio and a zest for college life. Gordon was able to inform, enlighten, entertain and humour hockey fans with his insight, knowledge and wit.
Adolph, who played for the Huskies back when Gordon did radio broadcasts of games for university radio, reunited with Gordon when Adolph became the U of S men’s coach in 1989.
Adolph says seeing Gordon, since then, would always start his weekends on a great note.
“My Friday started off pretty darn good — he made my every Friday,” noted Adolph, who has coached the Dogs for the past 31 seasons. “Every Friday, I waited to see Bruce. That made my weekend.
“I wish he was still here.”
Statistician Terry Friesen, who keeps track of shots-on-net for Huskie games and has been doing so for roughly 20 years, marvels at Gordon’s vast contribution.
“As far as I was concerned, Bruce WAS the penalty-box crew,” said Friesen. “He led the way. (His passing is) a very sad day for Huskie hockey.”
Friesen describes Gordon as a “real pro” who took his role at Huskies games seriously yet was still able to insert his own bit of wit and humour at the right moments.
“One example would be announcing to the crowd that the referees for tonight’s game were from some obscure (or made-up) league,” recalled Friesen. “Bruce loved the game, the Huskies and the crew. He was respected by Huskie staff, players, opposing coaches and long-time fans. He was involved with the Huskie for 35 years. Our crew won’t be the same, he will be missed and I’m not sure if he can be replaced.”
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