All World Hockey by T. Michael Travers

Think'n outta da box  In 1985, I joined Maclean's Magazine as an advertising salesman. Maclean's is Canada's National Newsmagazine that started publishing in 1905 ... 18 years before Time Magazine published for the first time. I was the second member of our family to work for Maclean's. My father, who was born in 1897, sold subscriptions door-to-door as a teenager. When the magazine celebrated its 85th year, our publisher was looking for a unique way to celebrate. Something different, not the typical celebratory luncheon or dinner. It was around that time that the new corporate catchphrase "think outside the box" came into being and I was all-for-that. I suggested we take the staff of the advertising, marketing, and promotion departments to the race track for lunch.  The magazine would also provide each person with $20  -- enough to make a $2. bet on 10 races and, hopefully, pick a winner. FUN! Toronto's famous thoroughbred track, Woodbine,

  There were 5 NHL players who suited-up with that number. Three were Montreal Canadiens from the early days of the NHL. However, all three were midseason call-ups and were likely issued #99  because they were thought of as short term players.  A 1980's player, Rick Dudley, wore #99 for thirty games as a Winnipeg Jet.  The fifth player was a guy whom I watched last night on CLASSIC NHL TV.  The game was a replay from January 16, 1982 , between the Oilers and Maple Leafs. Gretzky, #99 for Edmonton Oilers -vs- Wilf Paiement, #99 for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gretzky  was just  beginning his career, laying the foundation that would later identify him as The Great One . Watching him turn the record book inside-out for 20 seasons was fun but his skills weren't appreciated by everyone -- particularly some NHL oldtimers. Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, the guy credited with inventing the slapshot was not a believer. In a piece I wrote for my  blog following a meeting with "