|
Peter Puck Urged Out of Retirement - Returning to Hockey Night in Canada |
|
|
|
Written by Staff
|
|
Wednesday, 09 May 2007 |
 If you happen to be a baby boomer who loves hockey, you will remember Peter Puck, described by his creator Brian McFarlane as the "imp of the ice lanes". The little cartoon hockey puck that NHL great, Stan Mikita publicly claimed had helped him increase his knowledge of the game, is back and preparing for his debut during the 2008 NHL hockey season.
Created by former CBC Hockey Night in Canada commentator Brian McFarlane, Peter Puck was introduced to Canada in 1973 and became in instant hit to kids and adults alike. Peter Puck's four-minute hockey tips and simple explanations on hockey rules and regulations endeared him to millions of fans, so much so that the daily fan mail count to the animated hockey puck equaled that of Bobby Orr.
In the 1975 book titled 'Peter Puck - Love That Hockey Game!' © (Hanna-Barbera Enterprises, Inc.), McFarlane described in the Introduction how Dave Gardner, playing for Montreal at the time, wrote a letter to Peter and read it aloud while aboard a commuting flight; "Dear Peter, how can I score goals while sitting on the bench?" McFarlane went on to add that Gardner was traded just a short time later.
Peter Puck played his last intermission in 1980 and has been missed by many of his fans ever since but according to McFarlane, "his legacy lives on and it's time to lace him up again for a comeback." A deal has been reached with McFarlane and the Toronto-based SEGAL Licensing which is now the global licensing agent for Peter Puck whose comeback will occur in phases. The first phase will be a re-introduction of Peter Puck who has been given a new updated look but not extreme enough to render the Puck unrecognizable to his original fan base. SEGAL Licensing president Stuart Pollock assures fans that the Puck will "still be the same lovable puck, just a bit more present day."
Look for Peter Puck to make his new debut at centre ice sometime in the 2008 CBC Hockey Night in Canada season. His first drop will be on home ice somewhere in Canada. "Fans beware," said McFarlane. "Hockey's favourite puck is hitting the ice again and he's as bouncy as ever."
With excerpts from 'Peter Puck - Love That Hockey Game' Copyright © 1975 Hanna-Barbera Enterprises, Inc. |
