Bob Probert writes for new magazine.

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

This is an excerpt from Bob Probert's column for the September 07 issue of Michigan In Play magazine.

And yes it is really written by Bob Probert!

"I remember one particular night during my early years in the league. We were in Toronto adding another chapter to that lengthy rivalry when a line brawl broke out. I was on the bench as were a few more of our guys that we would have preferred to have on at that point. Brad Park was our coach and he could tell that a few of us were just itching to go over the boards and join the fight. We’d motion and he’d say “No boys! No!†So we watched for another second or so before trying to go again, and Brad would say “No!†again. Well the third time he was a little slow with the No! So away we went!

There was so much respect between guys back in the day and this may sound odd, but it was easiest to see sometimes during bench clearings. Guys would pair off with a guy that was either going to give them a good fair fight or just keep a hold of them so that no one was cruising around loose. No body was looking to be on either end of a mismatch and the heavy weights always found each other. I wound up in one of the main events with Bob McGill.

Bob is a tough guy and he and I squared off and went at it pretty good. The problem we had was that there were several other fights going on at the same time. The officials were pretty busy keeping track of everything and making sure they broke up the scraps that looked as though someone had the upper hand. So Bob and I just kept throwing bombs at each other! The fight had continued for a long time and in the heat of the battle I wound up head butting him. I caught him flush in the face with it and down he went. I instantly regretted the move but I was still kind of riled up from the brawl after the game in our locker room.

As I sat at a locker a Toronto sports reporter approached and asked me why I had head-butted McGill. My immediate response was that it had been a long fight and my hand was getting sore! The things that come out of the mouths of youth! While it was considered a pretty funny statement around our room, it wasn’t viewed as humorously at the NHL head offices and I was handed a well-deserved suspension. Fortunately Bob and I are pretty good friends these days as are most of the combatants from back in those days. It’s that factor of respect that I mentioned before. Bob and I were team-mates on the ball hockey team that went to play the troops in Afghanistan a short while back and we had some pretty good laughs over there and I was glad to have to have the chance to hang with him for a while.

I’m going to have another tough guy from my past to hang with a bit over the next while as well. I’m happy to say that Joe Kocur and I are in the beginning stages of putting together a book about our playing days as the Bruise Brothers. "

To read Bob's entire column go to http://www.bluetoad.com/subscriptionfee.ph...gazineid=347_10

(Cut and paste this link and send it to all your hockey buddys!)

Click on the archive tab at the top of toolbar, click on the September cover, page six.

Email Bob a question if you like!

His MIP email address is at the end of the article.

Feel free to go through all the past issues to get lots of other interesting Detroit sports stars column like 31-6 Denny McLain column entitled "Sounding OFF!"

Edited December 21, 2007 by Michigan In Play! magazine

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

This is an excerpt from Bob Probert's column for the July 07 issue of Michigan In Play magazine.

And yes it is really written by Bob Probert!

"The mood in the camp was noticeably tenser than anything we had experienced to that point. The soldiers were armed 24/7 and in full gear at all times. We found it hot in flak jackets and helmets but that was only a taste of what the enlisted men dealt with. Adding to the tension was the sense of loss that hung over the camp due to the deaths of six Canadian soldiers just before our arrival. A moral boost was definitely needed but I was doubtful we could have much effect after such losses.

The heat during the afternoon was intense. Temperatures in excess of 105 degrees F were common. Adding to the heat was the fact that we finally realized we were in the middle of a war zone. As happy as everyone was to have us there, they were all business when it came to their duties.

We received a pretty good wake up call one morning as sirens sounded and we were informed that a missile had been fired at the base. They gathered all of the players and brought us to a bunker until the "all clear" was announced. I have to admit the mood in the bunker was pretty tense. The guys were quiet as we listened to the soldiers briefing us on the situation. When they stopped talking we sat in silence. With everyone looking so tense I took it upon myself to loosen up the mood a little.

I looked across and saw former Leafs Tiger Williams, Mike Pelyk, Dan Daoust, Kevin McGuire and Dave Hutchinson across from me and cracked, “Maybe the Taliban finally found out the Maple Leafs were here!†It was just the thing needed to break up the tension. "

To read Bob's entire column go to http://www.bluetoad.com/subscriptionfee.ph...gazineid=347_10

(Cut and paste this link and send it to all your hockey buddys!)

Click on the archive tab at the top of toolbar, click on the July cover, page six.

Email Bob a question if you like!

Let him know if you enjoy reading his columns or not.

His MIP email address is at the end of the article.

Feel free to go through all the past issues to get lots of other interesting Detroit sports stars column like 31-6 Denny McLain column entitled "Sounding OFF!"

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

This is an excerpt from Bob Probert's column for the June 07 issue of Michigan In Play magazine.

And yes it is really written by Bob Probert!

"You know sometimes it feels that there is a bit of a target on my back. In my playing days my target was worn with honor. Every potential enforcer rising through the ranks of the leagues heavyweights eventually landed in front of me looking for their shot. I was always happy to oblige, as I knew what these guys had been through to get to this point.

I remember a young Tie Domi lining up next to me prior to a face off saying, “Probie give me a shot at the title.†In the back of my mind I knew that he was kind of on the bubble with his club so away we went. He stood in pretty good with me and I’m sure that it didn’t hurt his position with the front office of his team.

The target I wear at times now is not so simply dealt with. It is the result of a certain level of notoriety and my own indiscretions. I’ve never ducked the events of my life. I’ve taken my lumps with the best of them. It’s just tough knowing that if I step left or right of the tight rope I find myself walking on at times, there are those who are only too happy to make sure the spotlights catch every inch of the fall. My advice to anyone reading this (especially the younger people) is never place that target around your neck. It’s tough to shake once it’s there."

To read Bob's entire column go to http://www.bluetoad.com/subscriptionfee.ph...gazineid=347_10

(Cut and paste this link and send it to all your hockey buddys!)

Click on the archive tab at the top of toolbar, click on the June cover, page eight.

Email Bob a question if you like!

Let him know if you enjoy reading his columns or not.

His MIP email address is at the end of the article.

Feel free to go through all the past issues to get lots of other interesting Detroit sports stars column like 31-6 Denny McLain column entitled "Sounding OFF!"

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

Bob Probert's first column for Michigan In Play! magazine.

And yes this is really Bob Probert writing this.

"OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH BOB PROBERT

It’s been a long road that’s brought me here to my 42nd year in this world, and I have to admit it’s been one hell of a ride.

When I look back at some of the things I’ve seen and experienced I’m even a little surprised by it all! I’ve battled toe to toe with some of the fiercest men in professional sports night after night and came out on top most bouts.

I’ve had some of the more famous and skilled people in the game as teammates and friends. I was there as the foundation was built for the Red Wing’s championship teams. I had the honor to play alongside Steve Yzerman as he developed into the leader and competitor that we grew to know over his career. I watched the speed and agility of Paul Coffey from ice level as he made another dash towards the net. All in all it’s been an amazing journey.

Playing in the All-Star game in 1988 was one of the ultimate experiences that I grow to appreciate even more as I look back on my career. My years in Chicago were awesome too. To include guys like Chris Chelios, Doug Gilmour, Ed Belfour, and Jeremy Roenick as teammates was something that I couldn’t have enjoyed more thoroughly.

The locker room environment from the jokes to the comradery was always one of the main reasons I loved the game. I’ve had some of the best coaches in the world that helped me develop into the player I became.

Then there were always the fans! I was blessed to have played before some of the greatest fans in professional sports. The people in the seats in Detroit and Chicago were one of the main reasons that I was able to show up for work every night and do one of the tougher jobs in professional sports game after game. The sound of 20,000 fanatics cheering after a big goal or a tough fight still echoes in my memory today.

Along the way I’ve met some great people, had some fantastic times, and experienced it all. I really am blessed to have had the life that I’ve had. This isn’t to say that there wasn’t a bump or two in the road along the way. In case you hadn’t heard I did have a few incidents that proved to be news worthy! Once again, it was friends, my family and teammates that made sure I landed back on my feet again each time.

Recently I’ve been getting more involved with the community as I volunteer my time to worthy events such as the Red Wings and NHL alumni games and I take every opportunity I can to work with kids.

Taking the ice with a group of energetic youngsters is one of the greatest pleasures I have. My hockey school based in Windsor has its inaugural session this spring and is just one of the ways that I get to journey back to my youth through these enthusiastic youngsters. They are so eager to learn and they try so hard. I’m not certain that the tips and advice I give them will turn them into pro players, but if it makes them enjoy the game a bit more that’s all that matters.

So here I go in a new direction today in this article. Bob Probert, contributing writer for Michigan In Play! Magazine, I like

the ring to that!

I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to give you all in these columns each month but I can promise you this; it will be much the same as what I gave you on the ice. It will be straightforward opinion and observation from someone who has lived it all.

One thing for sure this is going to interesting. My past has a million stories and lessons in it. My present is amazing and I’m sure it will be mentioned more than once.

My future… who knows? It’s going to be fun writing about it all here in the pages of MIP.

I plan to share stories, tips, and anything else I can with my readers. If you have any specific topics that you may want me to address please feel free to email me at 24@michiganinplay.com

Looking forward to hearing from you. So step up, latch on, start swinging, and let’s see who drops first! "

You can check out Michigan In Play! magazine at the following link http://www.bluetoad.com/subscriptionfee.ph...gazineid=347_10

(Cut and paste this link and send it to all your hockey buddys!)

Email Bob a question if you like!

Let him know if you enjoy reading his columns or not.

His MIP email address is at the end of the article.

Feel free to go through all the past issues to get lots of other interesting Detroit sports stars column like 31-6 Denny McLain column entitled "Sounding OFF!"

Check us out each and every month!

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

for the love of all that is good and sacred, why did you feel it was necessary to create 4 topics for this?

[lfd250 1]

HAHAHA, I was expecting an article from high times.

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

This is an excerpt from Bob Probert's column for the September 07 issue of Michigan In Play magazine.

And yes it is really written by Bob Probert!

"I remember one particular night during my early years in the league. We were in Toronto adding another chapter to that lengthy rivalry when a line brawl broke out. I was on the bench as were a few more of our guys that we would have preferred to have on at that point. Brad Park was our coach and he could tell that a few of us were just itching to go over the boards and join the fight. We’d motion and he’d say “No boys! No!†So we watched for another second or so before trying to go again, and Brad would say “No!†again. Well the third time he was a little slow with the No! So away we went!

There was so much respect between guys back in the day and this may sound odd, but it was easiest to see sometimes during bench clearings. Guys would pair off with a guy that was either going to give them a good fair fight or just keep a hold of them so that no one was cruising around loose. No body was looking to be on either end of a mismatch and the heavy weights always found each other. I wound up in one of the main events with Bob McGill.

Bob is a tough guy and he and I squared off and went at it pretty good. The problem we had was that there were several other fights going on at the same time. The officials were pretty busy keeping track of everything and making sure they broke up the scraps that looked as though someone had the upper hand. So Bob and I just kept throwing bombs at each other! The fight had continued for a long time and in the heat of the battle I wound up head butting him. I caught him flush in the face with it and down he went. I instantly regretted the move but I was still kind of riled up from the brawl after the game in our locker room.

As I sat at a locker a Toronto sports reporter approached and asked me why I had head-butted McGill. My immediate response was that it had been a long fight and my hand was getting sore! The things that come out of the mouths of youth! While it was considered a pretty funny statement around our room, it wasn’t viewed as humorously at the NHL head offices and I was handed a well-deserved suspension. Fortunately Bob and I are pretty good friends these days as are most of the combatants from back in those days. It’s that factor of respect that I mentioned before. Bob and I were team-mates on the ball hockey team that went to play the troops in Afghanistan a short while back and we had some pretty good laughs over there and I was glad to have to have the chance to hang with him for a while.

I’m going to have another tough guy from my past to hang with a bit over the next while as well. I’m happy to say that Joe Kocur and I are in the beginning stages of putting together a book about our playing days as the Bruise Brothers. "

To read Bob's entire column go to http://www.bluetoad.com/subscriptionfee.ph...gazineid=347_10

(Cut and paste this link and send it to all your hockey buddys!)

Click on the archive tab at the top of toolbar, click on the September cover, page six.

Email Bob a question if you like!

His MIP email address is at the end of the article.

Feel free to go through all the past issues to get lots of other interesting Detroit sports stars column like 31-6 Denny McLain column entitled "Sounding OFF!"

Michigan In Play! magazine is set to interview Steve Yzerman for our upcoming cover story.

We would like to know what our readers want to know from the Captain.

If you have any questions or suggestions please email them in before January 2, 2008.

info@michiganinplay.com

Thanks and look to see if we use your question in our interview.

[wingfanatic4alltime 32]

Does anyone know when Proberts book comes out?

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

Does anyone know when Proberts book comes out?

Bob And Joe are working on it right now.

Bob Duff from the Windsor Star is the writer.

No time frame yet on when it hits the shelves.

MIP will be the first to know and pass along the to our readers.

[SweWings 45]

for the love of all that is good and sacred, why did you feel it was necessary to create 4 topics for this?

Advertisement has to be annoying?

[Michigan In Play! magazine 0]

Advertisement has to be annoying?

If it wasn't for advertising you wouldn't be watching the Wings on TV for free and this "Fan Club" would not exist.

Nobody forced you into this post and nobody forced you to read what I posted.

As for the people out there bashing Bob ; TONS and TONS of people are interested in what Bob is up to and tens of thousands of people are anxiously awaiting this book written by the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the NHL!

Maybe you weren't at the last Red Wings Alumni game at the Joe and maybe you weren't at Yzerman's retirement ceremony last January 2, 2007.

For those of us that were there, when Bob stepped on the ice...it almost brought the roof of the Joe crashing down!!!

Bob's ovation was second only (and barely) to Stevies!

I would give anything and I do mean anything to see all these people laughing and giggling like little school boys repeat their comments to Bob's face...Ya that's what I thought!

An avatar is easy to hide behind.

Bob donates more of his time to charity events and good will efforts in one month then most people put in a lifetime!

Have you been to Afghanistan? If you have; god bless you and thank you for going so I didn't have to.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion sonny, just do it somewhere else, please keep your bashing out of my post.

If you don't like what I write...don't read it!

THIS SPOT IS RESERVED FOR RED WINGS FANS ONLY!