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McSorley returning to Estevan with two other Stanley Cup champions

Last year, former NHL tough guy Marty McSorley was the featured speaker at the Estevan Bruins' annual sportsman's dinner. He's coming back, this time with two other former Stanley Cup champions.


Last year, former NHL tough guy Marty McSorley was the featured speaker at the Estevan Bruins' annual sportsman's dinner.

He's coming back, this time with two other former Stanley Cup champions.

The Bruins will hold their annual fundraiser on Saturday at Spectra Place.

Alongside McSorley, former New York Islanders star Bryan Trottier and ex-Toronto Maple Leafs winger Gary Leeman will form a hot stove-like panel, discussing their careers and Stanley Cup victories.

The dinner will also feature the awarding of Estevan's male and female athletes of the year and volunteer coach of the year, as well as a live memorabilia auction.

McSorley's NHL career began in 1983 after he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two years later, the Hamilton native was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, who were in the middle of a dynasty, and that was where the legend was born.

McSorley soon took over the role of Wayne Gretzky's bodyguard from Dave Semenko, and it didn't end in Edmonton.

When Gretzky was sold to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988 in a trade that forever changed the hockey world, he asked for McSorley to come along.

So McSorley followed the Great One to L.A., where he would record a career-high 41 points in 1992-93.

However, the defining moment of his season came in the Stanley Cup final against the Montreal Canadiens. In Game 2, with the Kings up 2-1 in the third period, McSorley was caught with an illegal stick and the Habs scored on the ensuing power play. They would win the game in overtime and take the series in five games.

McSorley later spent time with the New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins.

On Feb. 21, 2000, McSorley swung his stick at Donald Brashear and clipped him in the side of the head. He was suspended for the remainder of the season and playoffs, missing 23 games, and was later found guilty of assault with a weapon, being sentenced to 18 months of probation.

Trottier, a native of Val Marie, was a crucial member of the New York Islanders dynasty of the early 1980s, forming part of a legendary line with Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies.

He won four Stanley Cups from 1980-83 and two more with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.

Trottier is the Islanders' all-time leader in games played (1,123), points (1,353) and assists (853).

Trottier is now the Islanders' executive director of player development.

Leeman attended Notre Dame in Wilcox and was a standout defenceman with the Regina Pats for two seasons.

After being drafted by the Leafs in 1982, Leeman formed the Hound Line with Wendel Clark and Russ Courtnall early in his career.

He would evolve into a dangerous scoring threat in the late '80s, posting his best year in 1989-90 with 51 goals and 95 points.

However, midway through the 1991-92 season, Leeman was the main player sent to the Calgary Flames in a 10-player blockbuster that brought star centre Doug Gilmour to the Maple Leafs.

Leeman spent parts of two seasons in Calgary before playing with the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues later in his career.

Although he never reached the heights he had in Toronto, he did win the Stanley Cup in 1993 with Montreal.


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