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VIDEO: New Tecumseh Cardiac Centre To Be Named After Bob Probert

am800-news-bob-probert-ride-june-24-2018

A big announcement at this year's Bob Probert Ride will keep the former NHL tough guy’s legacy alive year round.

Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara delivered announced a new satellite campus for Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare in Tecumseh will carry Probert's name in a fitting location — beside Tecumseh Arena as part of a $24-million expansion project.

"Doesn't the sound of Bob Probert Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre sound great," he told the crowd.

More than 1,500 riders tore out of the Thunder Road Harley Davidson parking-lot in west-Windsor Sunday for what has become a summer tradition to cherish the softer side of a man revered for his tough as nails persona.

Scott Parker spent a decade in the NHL spread between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks - hoisting the Stanley Cup in Colorado in 2001. Like Probert, dropping the gloves was a major part of the 6'-5" winger's game.

He tells AM800 News captaining the ride is something he's been interested in since it began.

"We're fortunate enough to do it now in the eight year and once the Probert family called us and said we want you to be the ride captain," he says. "It took me about five seconds to say 'done' talked to the wife and said 'it's time for us to be a part of this.'"

Parker — who's Parker's Platoon charity helps soldiers transition into civilian life in the U.S. — admires how much the family has put into keeping Probert's spirit alive in the hopes cardiac care can spare someone else from having to endure a lost loved one.

"Dani [Probert] and the family work diligently all year long for this one day. Hat's off to them in keeping Bob's name alive and going," says Parker. "We're just proud to be a part of it."

The 40-year-old drew a laugh from the crowd as he illustrated just how quickly and professionally he was handled by the veteran in his rookie season — but Probert took the time to give him words of encouragement in the faceoff circle later in the game.

(Courtesy of Fox Sports)

Parker says hearing about Probert throughout his stay in Windsor-Essex makes him wonder what could have been.

"He's definitely one of those guys you'd want to sit down with and be able to talk about the old days and you can still learn from a guy like that years down the road," he says. "It's a sad day, but it's a good day trying to raise some money for a good cause."

This year's tally isn't in, but the ride has raised more than $800,000  for cardiac-care in Windsor-Essex since its inception.

 

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