Panthers No. 9s

[Deleted]

Since 1980/81, there have only been three seasons where we have not had a number 9 on the ice. And the list of players who have worn the number reads like a who's who of players who we remember vividly.

Tony Griffiths in his green helmet; Ged Smith, one of the top English players at that time; the ultra-competitive Ross Lambert; Marty Dallman who used to enjoy a cigarette after a game; Super Pekka Virta. Also two true gentlemen of the game about whom we have nothing but good thoughts - Dave Struch and the great Terry Kurtenbach (pause while I stare into the distance for a moment).

It is also here that I hit a bit of a problem. I know Tyler Larter wore 9 when he played for us, but he does not appear on any of my sheets. Presumably this is because he was released after pre-season friendlies and didn't make it as far as official league/cup games. Also, I have a distant memory that Russ Timmins wore 9 for a few games but, again, can't find it on any of my sheets. Perhaps Pete W or Spik can shed some light on this.

Anyway, to the list.....

1980/81 Tony Griffiths, Scott Jones
1981/82 Kenny MacDonald
1983/84 John Hobson
1984/85 Ged Smith
1985/86 Ged Smith
1986/87 Terry Kurtenbach
1987/88 Terry Kurtenbach
1988/89 Terry Kurtenbach
1989/90 Terry Kurtenbach
1990/91 Terry Kurtenbach
1991/92 Terry Kurtenbach
1992/93 Terry Kurtenbach
1993/94 Ross Lambert
1994/95 Ross Lambert
1996/97 Jason Jennings
1997/98 Marty Dallman
1998/99 Pekka Virta
1999/00 David Struch
2000/01 David Struch
2002/03 James Morgan
2003/04 David Struch
2004/05 Scott Ricci

[nuttyrockeress]

For me, it would be very hard to choose between TK and Ross.

Both favourites of mine.

TK, was superb and would probably win this but Ross was, speedy, agile and much fun.

With the death of my dad a few days ago, mum and I have had some old photo's out. Ross, was on these at some meet the players night, lovely guy!

[Baz]

"David Struch just started the Saskatoon Blades alumni organization, so he is at most of the games here in town (Saskatoon). Also he will be playing in a alumni game coming up in Feb and will be playing with past Blade players like Bernie Federko, Wendel Clark, Randy Smith, Roger Kortko."

[belak]

Lambert, Virta, Dallman & Struch were all favourites of mine & were all great players.

Only the most special of players should be allowed to wear number 9

[Ian]

Some great names here, Stef.

TK:
One of the all-time greats of our organisation. He gave absolutely everything he had to the Panthers during his time in Nottingham, and the club made a big mistake in letting him go to sign Andre Andre Andre Malo. So pleased that TK went on to such success with Guildford and that they retired his shirt.
Everyone remembers TK's marathon shifts - 50 odd minutes a game was the norm for him. You got the impression that on the rare occasions he took a silly penalty, he was only doing it to get a two-minute sit down.

ROSS LAMBERT:
One of my all-time Panthers heroes. He played the game the way I like to see it played - with heart, passion and a never-say-die attitude.
The story was put about that when he arrived at his first game, he took two twenty pound notes out of his wallet and pinned them to the notice board in the dressing room. He told the Panthers British players that one of them would go to the person who put in the best hit of the game and the other to the person who made the best defensive play. Who knows whether this is true, but it sums up Ross's attitude and spirit anyhow.
I remember Ross had a running battle with the Cardiff Devils for most of his career. He sparked off a huge brawl down there on one occasion while playing for us, after jumping Doug McEwen in retaliation for a reckless high stick (I've got it on video!). When we played Cardiff in the CC semi-final in 1999, Ross was the BBC's co-commentator and at several tight points in the games he forgot himself and referred to the Panthers as "we".

MARTY DALLMAN:
Had his best season wearing #35 but I will include him here. A great player, who I would have loved to have seen when he was in his prime (we only got to see him in the twilight of his career). His stick handling and awareness of the ice around him were as good as I have seen and he was deceptively quick. He is of course fondly remembered for his enjoyment of a cigarette and a drink, but I particularly remember one game in Basingstoke when we won in OT. We made straight for the bar after the game and by the time I was at the bar being served, I turned around to check what one of my friends wanted and Marty was behind me in the queue, already showered and in his suit! The staff didn't want to accept the £50 note he gave them, despite his protests that it must be OK as he'd got it from the casino. A great bloke, and a fantastic player who did everything with a smile on his face. We heard that his first coaching appointment was with a team in America's bible belt and the rink was dry and non-smoking. Not sure how that would have suited him.

PEKKA VIRTA:
Scored the two goals that won us the B&H cup in 98. Apart from that (when we were suffering an injury crisis), he never really got the ice time he deserved in my opinion. He was big and strong and had a good shot. I remember after that cup win that he seemed totally overwhelmed by what he had done and exactly how much it meant to the fans.