Celebration of life pays tribute to Leafs' Cup-winner Bob Nevin

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There was a full family and NHL friends send-off for Toronto Maple Leafs star Bob Nevin earlier this month in Saskatchewan. 

Nevin, who died at 82 in September 2020, had a COVID-delayed celebration of life in Day’s Beach, Sask., on the shores of Jackfish Lake near North Battleford, where his wife Linda Hokanson Nevin has a family plot and where Nevin spent many relaxing summers.    

Nevin, a right-winger, was on two Leafs Cup teams in 1962 and 1963 and might have won a third straight with Toronto if not for a blockbuster trade with the New York Rangers involving himself and Dick Duff in exchange for Andy Bathgate. 

“The manager of the Leafs alumni said he’d never had so many requests from people asking when there would be a memorial for Bob,” said Hokanson Nevin. “It took some time, but I’m glad we could finally get it done.”

Nevin’s great-nephews, who include some avid young hockey players, wore Toronto and New York sweaters in tribute and messages from Leafs teammate Dave Keon and former Ranger Brad Park, both Hall of Famers, were read at the gravesite where Nevin’s ashes were interred. Nevin died of complications from cancer.  

Keon said Nevin was always “a great competitor and a delight to be with” and he treasured they shared “two Cups … and a couple of cocktails” through their Toronto years. Keon also mentioned their common northern roots — Nevin was from South Porcupine, Ont., while Keon was born in Rouyn-Noranda, Que. 

Park said Nevin was the ideal mentor as he navigated life in fast-paced Manhattan for his first NHL season in 1968. 

“He was my captain, the pro that the kids wanted to meet,” Park told the Nevin family. “He never challenged anyone to a fight, though he was in a few. The most efficient winger I ever played with. 

“One day he invited me out with him, Wayne Hillman, Eddie Shack and Mike Walton. We watched Larry drink his beer very, very slowly and when I (pointed it out), Bob gave me great advice — ‘Never be in a hurry to get drunk, you can always get there.’ He always had a quip. 

“I called him Pokey because he was never in a hurry driving me to practice, but he could get dressed in five minutes. You didn’t want to be late for The Cat (coach Emile Francis’s) practices.”   

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Nevin came south to join the Marlies chain and signed his Leafs C form as a 16-year-old, debuting as a teen in 1957 under coach Billy Reay. The C form came with a $100 bonus.      

“My dad came home from his job at a (Toronto parking lot) and said, ‘Where’d you get that money?’”  

Nevin told the Toronto Sun in a 2015 interview, “He was probably making $60 a week at the time.” 

The Bathurst Heights high schooler became a regular when Punch Imlach’s team turned the corner and won Cups in 1962 and 1963. He had 21 goals in his first full season, runner-up to Keon for the Calder Trophy, and appeared in 27 playoff games the next three seasons. 

Nevin also played for the Minnesota North Stars, Los Angeles Kings and the World Hockey Association’s Edmonton Oilers before retiring in 1977. 

Lhornby@postmedia.com 

X: @sunhornby