Enforcer Advent Calendar – December 3rd – Dave Semenko
For an array of reasons, December 2020 will be a month none of us will ever forget. The toll this pandemic has taken on society has been different for every individual in every part of the world. Regardless, we can all relate to experiencing some anxiety, stress and fear about the uncertainty of things. That’s why it felt fitting to put out the ‘Enforcer Advent Calendar.’ These warriors dealt with the aforementioned emotions night-in and night-out to a degree that only they can truly comprehend. I get it – it’s been tough not being able to go out with the boys, see a good game and cheer-on a good scrap, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the past. It sucks because enforcers are sometimes forgotten by fair-weather fans but, luckily, the diehards will always chant their name in the arenas and on the streets. Whichever side you land on, here’s a reminder of a few legends.
December 3rd – Dave Semenko
Trivia time – Who was the last player to ever score in the WHA before the merger? Wayne Gretzky? Bobby Hull? Nope! Dave ‘Cementhead’ Semenko. Feel free to use that bit of trivia to get a free drink from your friends one day because it’s unlikely they will pick the bodyguard over the star. Semenko was brought in from the Minnesota North Stars for one reason – to protect Gretzky. ‘Cementhead’ took it a step further and protected every Oilers player during his 8-year tenure in the once famed ‘City of Champions.’ The renowned enforcer was known for his flowing hair, lunchbox sized hands and intimidating stature. Semenko was 6’3”, 215 lbs and fought only 59 times in the NHL because the opposition quickly realized the damage he was capable of inflicting. The old adage states – ‘Happy wife, happy life.’ For Gretzky, it was ‘Happy enforcer, more Stanley Cups.” Well, it worked for the Great One so giving his protector the new Pontiac Transam after his 1983 All-Star MVP was a small price to pay for years of protection.
Dave Semenko vs Garry Howatt – April 17, 1981 – 2nd period – 5:55
Semenko may not have been the boogeyman, but when you slashed ‘The Great One’ he always magically appeared. Unfortunately for Gary Howatt, he didn’t even slash Gretzky and still had to deal with Semenko. During Game 2 of their quarter-finals playoff series, Wayne Merrick was the one who actually slashed Gretzky as he cut past the blue line. But Semenko didn’t care who it was, someone had to get punched for the slash and he didn’t waste any time exacting his revenge. The Oilers enforcer jumped Howatt the moment he skated up to him and started raining down punches on the Alberta native. Howatt was unable to land a single punch because Semenko’s flurry had him down. The linesmen were quick to jump-in and end this one-sided affair. The only consolation prize was that Howatt only received a 2-minute roughing penalty, while Semenko got the full 5 minutes. With this, the Islanders were able to capitalize and score during the resulting power play. The Islanders dynasty was something special during the early 80s and included an absurd 19 consecutive playoff series wins. The Oilers were finally able to dethrone the Isles in 1984 but, cruising to a 6-3 win and 4-2 series victory, that night in Nassau Coliseum was all New York.
Dave Semenko vs Joel Otto – April 18, 1986 – 1st period – 13:35
For those who grew up in the prairies during the 80s, the battle of Alberta likely still gives them goose bumps. How do you summarize this bitter rivalry? Big hits, tons of fights, unreal goals, and an intensity you could have cut through with a knife. It was the epitome of playoff-hockey, except it was all-the-time. On that Friday night in the Alberta capital Poor Joel Otto didn’t stand a chance when Dave Semenko took exception to a cheap shot he gave Mark Messier. Cheap shots never went unnoticed and certainly never went unanswered in the battle of Alberta. The Manitoba native jumped Otto and started teeing off punches as punishment for his previous indiscretions. The judges’ card likely read: Semenko – 20 shots landed, Otto – 0 and frankly that’s being tame. The announcers pleaded for Otto’s teammates to jump in and defend him. That’s easy to say from the booth or the couch because there aren’t many people who would voluntarily jump in for a meeting with big Semenko. The irony of this melee was that Messier still ended up fighting Jim Pelinski because, although ‘Moose’ appreciated his enforcer coming to his aid, he was never shy about dropping the gloves when the time called for it. The way Semenko casually skated to the box – his hair flowing in the wind – while Otto was being assessed for a penalty after getting up from the ice, bloodied and livid was priceless. The Oilers certainly dominated this brouhaha, in the end, it was the Flames who had the last laugh. In a thrilling 7-game series, the Flames were able to deny the Oilers a 3-peat and sent Gretzky and Semenko packing. The Montreal Canadiens also appreciated the early exit by the Oilers as they went on to beat the Flames in the 1985-86 season and lift their 23rd Stanley Cup.
Dave Semenko vs Bob Probert – October 17, 1987 – 2nd period – 10:18
Out with the old, in with the new! In comes Probert and out goes Semenko. One problem – Semenko didn’t feel like leaving yet. The long-haired enforcer had been traded to Toronto and was looking to continue making an impact after a decade in the NHL… So, what better challenger than the new up and coming enforcer, Bob Probert. The two got tangled up near the Leafs’ crease and Semenko wasted no time throwing right hooks and uppercuts while Probert was immobilized. Unfortunately for Probey, his captain Steve Yzerman intervened right as he began landing some shots on the Leafs’ new enforcer. The two were able to break free from the clutches of the linesmen and Semenko was able to throw some overhands that connected with both Probert and the linesmen. This meeting was all Semenko. In fact Probert only received a 2 minute roughing penalty, while Semenko got 5 minutes and a Game Misconduct. That shows even the referees felt it wasn’t a fair fight. Even though Probert had fought Wendell Clark earlier in the game, he was no match for Semenko on that featured Hockey Night in Canada game. In only the 5th game of the season, the Leafs pounded the Wings 7-4 and cruised home with a win in their back pocket just before Steve Martin hosted Saturday Night Live with Sting. It must be noted that this fight was the prelude to Probert and Semenko meeting again a month later, but with a much different result for. Probert was able to exact his revenge on the former Brandon Wheat King, TKOing the Leafs enforcer and inching him closer to retirement that same season.
After intimidating NHL enforcers for over a decade, Dave Semenko finally hung up his skates, but he couldn’t leave the hockey world completely. Semenko did colour commentary for Oilers broadcasts until he made the jump to Assistant Coach for the 1996 season. Following that season, Semenko took a role as a scout with the Oilers until 2015 when he was promoted to Team Ambassador. Enjoying nothing more than making a room erupt with laughter this was the perfect role for the charming, witty and clever enforcer. He maintained this position until his passing on June 29th, 2017 at the age of 59 after losing his battle to lung and pancreatic cancer. The memorial was held at Rogers Place because of the number of friends and fans that wanted to pay their respects to the fallen enforcer. Glen Sather, Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky had nothing but glowing words to say about their former teammate, but the outpourings in the guest book was what made the celebration of his life truly beautiful. Edmontonians sharing stories of meeting Semenko in a local pizza shop and of how he would randomly pop into rinks around town showed that his impact on the city of Edmonton was unparalleled. While the Winnipeg native won countless fights and lifted two Stanley Cups, by Semenko’s account his favourite memory was getting the opportunity to spar his idol, Muhammad Ali. Before the two got into the ring, Semenko joked that Ali was nervous to get in the ring with him… Ali proceeded have a nap in the Oilers’ dressing room, so I’m guessing he wasn’t that nervous. The former enforcer was able to achieve all his dreams and spoke candidly about having no regrets about his career. So, while Oilers fans are used to seeing the Wayne Gretzky statue outside Rogers Place, I doubt there would be any objections to seeing a statue of his former bodyguard right next to him.
Twitter:@Jonesinthezone
