Ray Getliffe Passes Away

Although Ray Getliffe put up some impressive numbers and ended up winning two Stanley Cups in his 10- year career with the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, this forward will best be remembered for giving teammate Maurice Richard his famous nickname which has stood the test of time.

Getliffe, who was the second oldest living NHLer at 94, passed away on the weekend in London Ontario. During his career, which spanned from 1935-45, this rugged forward who won his first Cup in 1939 with Boston and his second in 1944 with Montreal, was joking around one practice back in 1942 with Montreal when he made a comment about Richard that became famous. “I was sitting on the bench during a practice with Murph Chamberlain and Phil Watson,” said Getliffe who told the Hockey Hall Of Fame’s Stanley Cup Journal this story three years ago. “(Elmer) Lauch was on the ice with Richard and fed him a lovely pass.” “Richard got the puck and took off. I leaned over to Murph and said wow Richard took off like a rocket!” Unknown to Getliffe was that a reporter overheard that comment and used the word rocket in an article the following day and the nickname stuck. Getliffe was always talking about hockey to his son and daughter and anyone else who would listen. In his career played in 393 games and scored 136 goals and 250 points.

 

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