Oilers Hockey Writer Bruce McCurdy Gone Too Soon

I felt close to him, even though we’d never met. I think part of it was the love we shared for the Oilers. I admired his photographic memory of the Oilers’ history, dating back to the days of the World Hockey Association (WHA). I loved that he would reference a name from those days, like Rusty Patenaude, Jack Norris or Ross Perkins. I also admired Bruce because, like myself, he was a former goalie and would bring a unique perspective to the games and the players he was covering.

When I think about what I respected most about McCurdy, it was his love of family. He was a genuine family man and would talk about his relationship with his son Kevin, who joined him on a Cult of Hockey Podcast this season. Being a Dad is the greatest feeling in the world, and you could tell Bruce and his son were close. In one interview, he mentioned that the two of them went to Rogers Place to see a Tool concert. I did something similar with my son – we flew down to Vegas to see Bring Me the Horizon last April.

I would have loved to have talked to him about that and about being in the stands at Northlands Coliseum for other notable concerts and hockey games. I would’ve asked him if he was at the Coliseum for Dennis Sobchuk’s first game with the WHA Oilers in the 1977-78 season when Sobchuk came close to breaking the record for the fastest three goals in pro-hockey history. (My cousin Lance caught the puck and still has it.)

I’m sad that he’s not here to talk hockey or have fans faithfully listen to him, and David Staples or Curt Levins talk about two good things, two bad things and one conundrum on the Cult of Hockey Podcasts following every Oilers game. Oilers games will not feel the same without him.

Edmonton Lost a True Hockey Historian

Many great writers and broadcasters have covered the Oilers over the years, including Jim Matheson, Rob Tychkowski, and Cam Cole of the Edmonton Journal. Terry Jones and Dick Chubey of the Edmonton Sun, Mark Spector of Sportsnet and Rod Phillips, Jack Michaels, Bob Stauffer and Rob Brown of 630 CHED, to name a few. But McCurdy, in his humble way, was one of the last true historians of hockey still working in the Edmonton market.

Bruce was an avid Oilers fan in their WHA years from the 1972-73 season to the 1978-79 season. He was an Oilers season ticket holder in their first years in the NHL and witnessed firsthand the pure magic of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri and Grant Fuhr in the Oilers Dynasty years of the 1980s and early 90s. I loved that he didn’t just talk about the star players from those great teams but would mention great moments from players like Pat Price or Kevin McLelland. The younger generation of fans who’ve followed Bruce will miss out on their Oilers history lessons, and that is a real loss.

Tribute to Bruce McCurdy

Bruce’s son Kevin has been a pillar of strength since the news broke of his Dad’s passing. He has been active on Twitter, letting fans know of Bruce’s passing and how to honour his Dad’s memory:

“In lieu of flowers (Dad just bought flowers for my mom Anna yesterday!) that you consider making a donation to the Heart and Stroke or the Ben Stelter foundations.

Both causes were deeply personal to my Dad, and this is what he would have wanted. We thank you for your consideration. Bless you all.”

It’s appropriate that I’m writing these words about Bruce for The Hockey Writers. Bruce was one of the best hockey writers that I knew. His passing leaves a void in the hockey community that will never be filled. On behalf of everyone at THW, we would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Bruce’s wife, Anna, and his son, Kevin, and to all who knew or followed his work. Rest in Peace, Bruce. You will be missed. Here’s hoping the Oilers bring home the Stanley Cup this spring just for you.