07/18/07
St. Louis MO
Fylers officials announced Thursday that they are actively pursuing a contract with Al Suomi, the last surviving member of the 1936-37 “All-American” Chicago Blackhawk team, and arguably the oldest living professional hockey player.
Sumoi, born in 1913 has been out of hockey since the 1940s but, according to Spokesman Pierre Reedy has been “looking for a chance to get back into the game.”
This is yet another stop for Suomi in a long line of bizarre and ultimately ill-fated marketing ploys. The most notorious of these schemes came in the final weeks of the 36-37 season, when Blackhawks owner Major Frederick McLaughlin benched all Canadian members of the Hawks subjecting his ‘Yankee’ line to a drubbing by the competition and a lambasting by the media.
Even before the Blackhawk ‘experiment, Suomi was recruited by a team named the Chicago Baby-Ruth in an effort by the Curtis Candy Company to promote their beloved candy bar by the same name. His flirtation with corporate sports, in this case, cost him a spot on the ‘36 Olympic team.
Maybe the third time is the charm. We’ll keep a close on eye on the potential transaction. In the meantime you’ll have to find another sport, let’s say on the west coast, to get your fill of has-been players paraded out to put butts in seats.
The Fylers return to action Sunday July 22nd at 9am.