Hockey thrives on Bunyanesque tales. It took a trip to the northern border of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to discover this whopper.

Following FloHockey’s debut of the Spotlight series up in American Sault, former Lake Superior State athletic director and current broadcaster Bill Crawford took me out for some serious hockey talk and light barley refreshment. I found myself tucked into a pizza and beer afterparty at the Christopher Columbus Hall of Sault Ste. Marie, a one-story brick structure with a single TV, two beer taps, three banquet tables, and considerable cheer and comradery.

Led by Sault Ste. Marie mayor Tony Bosbous, a host of hockey aficionados surrounded one of the tables for a first-rate hockey bull session of the highest order: swapping stories and receiving breaking scores from “His Honor.”

Bosbous’s mobile device was brimming with live scores — “Bowling Green beaten by RIT! Alaska over Michigan Tech…Bemidji collapses but hangs on for a tie against St. Cloud!” Despite the riveting live scores, nostalgia ruled the night. Most of these men had lived the LSSU dynasty years from 1988-1994 where the Lakers won three national titles and came within a blown call of a fourth. But it was Harry Vincent, a rink-rat from three generations ago, who had these locals bending the ear their hockey guest from the Lower Peninsula.

Former Lakers AD Bill Crawford (right) and mayor Tony Bosbous (left).

Back in the 1950s and ’60s, the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings used to have their training camp up in the American Sault. Guys like Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Sid Abel all bunked up in Sault Ste. Marie every fall to sweat themselves into shape. Vincent was one of the local rink maintenance guys, a mystery on the internet, but one whose name was fresh on the lips of every man at that banquet table.

Turns out, Vincent was hockey’s version of Bernard Malamud’s “The Natural,” or Sidd Finch from Sports Illustrated lore. He could skate faster and more effortlessly than anyone: Howe, Lindsay, or Abel. Every year the Red Wings rookies were asked how they expected to make the club when Vincent lapped them in distance races around the rink. After unlacing, Vincent would go back to his real job of sweeping out locker rooms and repairing the boards. 

Impatient, Vincent wanted a shot at the pros. After all, he had been out-skating Hall-of-Famers for years. He packed his duffel bag, resigned from the rink, and followed the Red Wings back down to Detroit for a crack at the big time. Wings GM Jack Adams was shocked to see the Soo’s rink-rat down at the Olympia, and was kind enough to call the rink up north to save Harry’s job. As it turned out, Vincent had the wheels, but not the skills, to make the old six-team NHL. It wasn’t long before he was on the bus north back to his old job, sharpening skates and tending to the Zamboni.

My gang from the Hall insisted that I learn the story’s conclusion: At Detroit’s training camp the next year, they honored Harry with an official Red Wings jacket, the same one that Gordie wore. For the rest of his years taking care of the rink up in the Soo, Vincent was never without that jacket, sporting the iconic winged wheel.

I thanked the fellows for a fine night of hockey and mirth, and promised I wouldn’t forget local legend Vincent. My next trip north I’ll be sure to visit The Hall for my next installment of nostalgia and trivia from this rare hockey haven.

Author Tim Rappleye just released his latest book: Hobey Baker, Upon Further Review (Mission Point Press). He can be reached on Twitter @TeeRaps.