Surely there are some details and events from his 50 years of coaching college hockey that Jerry York, who announced his retirement on Wednesday, has forgotten. But there probably aren’t many.
For example, he remembered a 16-year-old kid from Ottawa that he tried to recruit to Bowling Green in 1982, but who ultimately turned him down. That kid was current Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
Cassidy shared the story while reflecting on his relationship with York on Thursday. He said that when he crossed paths with York after getting hired by the Bruins in 2017, he brought up their near-union from 35 years prior, fully expecting York to not remember it. The Boston College legend remembered.
“Jerry recruited me when I was a 16-year-old, at Bowling Green. He called me. He couldn’t take me the next year because he was taking Dave Ellett and Garry Galley, but he offered me a scholarship for the next year if I was willing to wait,” Cassidy explained. “I ended up getting drafted in junior by the [Ottawa] 67’s, so I went that route. But I crossed paths with Jerry a long time ago. It was good to catch up with him here in the hallways when I first got hired and kind of reminisce about those things. I didn’t even think he’d remember, to be honest with you. I did, and he certainly did.”
Cassidy and the Ottawa 67's would go on to win the Memorial Cup in 1984 as the junior champions of Canada. In the alternate universe where he accepts York's offer, he could have been part of Bowling Green's 1984 national championship team.
Cassidy and York have become friends over the last few years since that first catch-up. While the two obviously talk plenty of hockey, Cassidy said they’ve bonded over golf as much as anything -- and he’s anticipating a big improvement in York’s game now that he has more free time.
“I love Jerry,” Cassidy said. “He’s a twice-a-year golf partner. I have to give him strokes. That’s gonna change now that he’s gonna have some free time. He’s always got a few good stories. He always sends me a video of a golf clip. He loves the game. I think hockey coaches in general need something to sort of get away from the rink. It’s either probably fishing or golfing. Obviously a very, very excellent career.
“…So I wish him all the best, him and [his wife] Bobbie and his family. Hopefully he gets to do whatever he wants and still pokes his head in at BC and gives them some advice, because I’m sure they’ll be happy to have it. He’s a real knowledgeable hockey guy and a great guy, great guy. Wish him all the best.”
While the Bruins have tended to have more BU Terriers (Matt Grzelcyk, Charlie McAvoy, Charlie Coyle) than BC Eagles in recent years, Cassidy had high praise for the players he has coached that have come from York’s program. He had former BC captain Tommy Cross in Providence for a few years and has now had this season’s BC captain, Marc McLaughlin, in Boston for the past month. Cassidy also briefly had Paul Carey in Boston.
“Tommy was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever coached,” Cassidy said. “He’s gonna be an excellent coach if that’s the path he chooses. He’s a student of the game. I thought he was really good with the younger guys early on his career. Very professional. Marc seems very professional. So the guys we’ve got from Jerry are typically ready, walk through the door, good work habits, good people, not a lot you have to tell them other than what’s going on with the team. They just seem to get it when it comes to getting ready to play.
I don’t know if that was age-driven -- it’s kind of a small sample size -- but still, solid guys.”
McLaughlin said he found out York was retiring shortly before the official announcement, when York texted him and the other captains from this year’s BC team. He said that what he’ll always remember the most about York was the passion, energy and positivity he brought to the rink every day.
“Obviously just so happy for him,” McLaughlin said. “His career speaks for itself -- the trophies, the success that he’s had. But just his passion for the game is off the charts and unmatched across college hockey. Whether it’s a practice in September or playing in the Beanpot against BU, it’s the same energy he brings, the same positivity he brings to the team every day. It’s pretty awesome to see. There’s so many life lessons I’ve learned from him over the years. I can’t thank him enough.”
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