by Jack Rosenberg
It is with extreme sadness that we report former Detroit Red Wing Bob Probert has passed away. Details are not known right now but Probert allegedly collapsed on a boat on Lake St. Clair and was rushed to Windsor Regional Hospital without vital signs.
A response from the hospital Public Relations was not immediately answered.
Bob Probert - Windsor Minor Hockey Association Graduate
I was always a big Probert fan. My Red Wings #24 jersey is so old it doesn't fit anymore. I was always a huge fan and when I launched In Play! Magazine it was Bob and Joe Kocur on the very first cover in April 2007.
The first time I really met Bob was at his house one cold February night. We were in the basement about to shoot some pool but first I had to help him put a Christmas tree back in the box.
Bob hamming it up for the crowd in Leamington.
The last time I saw Bob, February 13, 2010.
Hanson Brothers and Old Timers vs Leamington Police Charity fundraiser.
I laughed to myself as I sat there and watched Bob try to forcefully jam this tree back into the box like he had jammed so many guys on the ice...but the tree wasn't going anywhere, it wasn't scared of him.
After a couple minutes of watching Bob man handle this tree I said, "Dude, turn the thing around and it will go right in." So big Bob turns the tree 180 and it slipped right in the box. Hockey players ehh? lol.
Here I was telling one of the toughest guys around and my hockey hero how to put a Christmas tree away, and he listened.
Bob is right there on the Red Line. How many NHLer's you can spot in this photo?
If you want to learn more about Bob I highly recommend you pick up the book, "The Bruise Brothers, Hockey's Heavyweight Champions." Us hockey fans were lucky enough the book got published and chronicled a small portion of his life before he was taken from us.
The following is link to a YouTube video of Bob and Joey in action.
The following is link to a YouTube video of Bob and Joey in action.
The very last photo in the book is the IPM cover shot pictured here. I took it at Windsor Arena on March 25, 2007 after an Old Timers vs Essex game. One of many, many charity games Bob skated in to help raise money.
The Bob Probert critics didn't see.
Today is a very sad day for me. Bob was too young. I'm sure he still had lots of charity work he wanted to get done.
Take Care Bob, we're going to miss you...
Red Wings Owners Mike and Marian Ilitch on Bob...
“Bob was a part of our very first NHL Draft class that also included Steve Yzerman, Joe Kocur, Petr Klima and Stu Grimson. Bob was always there for his teammates and was one of the toughest men to ever play in the NHL. He also was one of the kindest, most colorful, and beloved players Detroit has ever known. We are very saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family.”
I took this photo on Steve Yzerman's retirement night January 2, 2007. Bob asked for a copy.
Former Red Wing and Teammate Joe Kocur...
“This is a very sad day for Red Wings fans as we have lost one of the toughest players, best power forwards and all-around great guys who ever wore the Winged Wheel. My favorite memory of Bob would be sitting down before a game, going over the opposing lineup and picking and choosing who would go first and if the goalie would be safe or not. It was great to be able to go out on the ice knowing that he had my back and I had his. He was like the brother I never had. My prayers go out to his family.”
Marty McSorley on Bob...
Bob Probert
1945-2010