Today I Learned Jack Adams was from Thunder Bay

I was watching the Winter Classic over the Holiday.  During the pre-amble Don Maclean mentioned Jack Adams, Toronto Maple Leafs and Thunder Bay in the same sentence.

I was born and raised in Thunder Bay. Played minor hockey in Thunder Bay. Seen the Stanley Cup visit here numerous times thanks to the Staals, and Patrick Sharp.

Thunder Bay has a pretty good hockey factory. 

But not until the other day did I learn of Jack Adams and his roots.   It was one line - but enough for me to be dumbfounded?  How did I not know of this?   "...when Jack Adams from Thunder Bay went to the Toronto Maple Leafs..."

He played for Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and won 2 Stanley Cups. 

He coached the Red Wings to 3 Stanley Cups and still holds the most wins as coach to this date.

The Jack Adams award in his honor is awarded to the most valuable coach in the NHL.

A mistake I made was thinking the "Adams" division was in his honor as well.  It is not.  Charles Adams is who the division was named after.

Sources:
Wikipedia

Tbnewswatch

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams - Thunder Bay, ON, May 9 2012

From a purist perspective of what a rock concert is, last night's performance from Bryan Adams should be the standard by which all rock concerts should adhere to.  

I was blown away from beginning to end. There was no big light show, dancing troops, and lip syncing that seems to be the norm for today's concert expectations.  Just a straight up smash it out of the ball park concert that blew everyone away.

2+ plus hours of chart topping hits. Every note sung with as much enthusiasm and passion as he did 20+ years ago.   There was no sense of nostalgia.  Last night's concert performance was Bryan Adams - still in his prime. 

This concert will go down as one of Thunder Bay's best ever.  Those fortunate enough to attend caught a legend in the making and we will all be talking about last night for years to come.  I wouldn't be surprised if Bryan Adams returns in the near future - his most adoring and appreciated fans are right here in Thunder Bay. 

Aquiring Tickets Oldschool

This blogs was featured on Tbnewswatch.com/live

Sometimes you just have to tough it out.

To some,  Bryan Adams would be a top 10 must see concert of a life time. When it was announced last week that Bryan Adams was booking a stop here in Thunder Bay, the want, nay, the necessity to get tickets in hand for this show became of utmost importance. 

There would be no sitting on the couch with a phone dialling the box office repeatedly, or mashing the F5 key to oblivion on my computer. No, to risky. This would actually require some effort, some warm clothes and some lawn chairs.

Having discussed my predicament with a good friend, it turned out he too was in the same scenario in which he had to acquire tickets for this concert.  We drew up a plan of attack and first thing Satruday morning, there we were - amongst hundreds of other wannabe concert goers, standing in line. In the dark. In the cold.

I have to admit at this point in the story that this is the first time I have EVER stood in line for concert tickets.  I have seem some big shows, but have never experienced actually waiting in line for hours at a box office. 

The experience was fun. Amongst a long line of strangers coming together for a common goal, the energy and spirits were high. Those around me were pleasant and courteous.  Add to that a contest winner/streaker that as close to legally possible quickly jogged in the sub 0 temperatures wearing nothing but work boots, 'tighty whities' and a grin.

Bryan Adams sure has some dedicated fans here in Thunder Bay, and I'm sure that his May 9 performance will be  crowned the biggest show of the year.