One Year Later: Remembering Dave Semenko

“One of the first Oilers I met in 1978, I didn’t know at the time the impact he would have in my life and my career. He was the toughest player I knew and yet the biggest Teddy Bear you would ever know. A beloved Oiler that will be missed dearly because of his kind heart and funny sense of humour. He made us all better people. RIP # 27, thanks for your friendship.” – Wayne Gretzky

“When I lived in the United States coaching the Boston Bruins and Colorado Rockies, the fans that I talked to could never understand why Wayne Gretzky was never hit and abused,” Cherry wrote. “They were sure the league had put out an edict that Gretzky was never to be hit because he was the star of the league, and he was the star. But there was no rule from the league why Gretzky never got hit or run. The rule was Dave Semenko.”

“Dave was, as Glen Sather called him, the gentle giant,” Cherry continued. “Gentle until you fooled with the Great One. He did not have to fight a lot. Just his presence was enough to discourage the idea of running Wayne. And if you started to act funny out there, he would whisper in your ear, if you do that again you’ll be a very sorry person.” – Don Cherry

“I didn’t really know Sammy that way. I didn’t arrive in Edmonton until 1989 when Semenko’s playing days were over. I knew him as a broadcaster and a scout. We played some golf, shot the breeze in the press box at Rexall Place and had some laughs – mostly at my expense when he’d cut me up for something or other. The Sammy I knew was quick with a quip and a laugh, a slap on the back. He was gentle man and a gentleman under that public tough guy skin.” – Robin Brownlee from Oilersnation