The Green Zone's Drew Remenda said it best. "Don't judge a book by its cover".
I never had a chance to speak to Dave Semenko. I saw the hockey player that every other fan saw.
He was one of a few very tough hockey players from the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 1970's.
In the 1980's, his job was to protect Wayne Gretzky. He knew his role. The numbers don't lie: He averaged over two minutes in penalties a night in 575 NHL games.
YouTube doesn't lie. Semenko never backed down. Whether it was O'Reilly, Kocur or Probert, he always answered the bell.
Being in this business, I've had the chance to talk to many NHL enforcers. Tiger Williams, Dave Manson and Tim Hunter are a few. Those conversations have confirmed for me something long-time broadcaster Ron MacLean once said: "The tough guys are the biggest sweethearts."
From all accounts, that's an accurate description of Dave Semenko.
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