George Morrison passes away

[spyboy1]

http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2008/...away.html#links

http://www.unionathletics.com/news/2008/11...1113080056.aspx

OK, so I'm sure none of you have even heard of George Morrison, but he was a member of the WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints back in the mid 70's when I was a young, impressionable 5th grader. He had this great moustache and long hair that trailed behind him when he flew down the ice, like Mike Modano is known for.

Seriously, look at this guy in flight!

My favorite memory of George was in the final game of the 73-74 season, George needed 4 goals to reach 40 for the year. Well, George got his four goals, and in great style as well, setting a WHA record for the fastest hat trick in league history - 43 seconds! After the first one, he got the second some 16 or so seconds later and then he must have been stalling, taking nearly twice as long to net the third!

Of course, when you're hot like that your teammates will try to set you up for the rest of the night, especially knowing you need one more for the milestone 40th, which he was later able to get, joining Connelly (42) and Walton (57) as those who hit 40 for the Fighting Saints that year.

Sadly, that remarkable record died with the WHA and is a forgotten achievement today, except in the pages of an old media guide and a young fan's aging memory.

RIP George.