Derek Sanderson:the man that helped transform the culture of professional sports
Bobby Orr scored what's arguably the best goal in NHL history when he went flying through the air for the Stanley Cup overtime winner against the St. Louis Blues in 1970.
But what about the guy who helped set the whole thing up?
That man's name is Derek Sanderson, who was born in Niagara Falls to a Scottish mother & an Army Canadian serviceman in 1946.
In 1965-66, Sanderson turned pro by signing with the Boston Bruins, but played just two games. The next season he went on to win the Calder trophy, one year after his teammate Bobby Orr won it. �Turk' as they called him, was known for being a top scorer in juniors with his hometown Niagara Fall Flyers, but he became known as a penalty killer and tough guy in the NHL.
Sanderson got just as much publicity for his off-ice lifestyle as well.
He was known for cruising downtown Boston in his Rolls Royce, he married a playboy playmate, he frequented tv talk shows, was always surrounded by beautiful women and was even named one of the �Sexiest Men in America' by Cosmopolitan magazine. Despite all that, he could still get the job done on the ice, helping the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972.
Then, along with New England Patriots receiver Jim Colclough, and the New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, opened a nightclub on New York City's upper-east side they named Bachelors III.
In 1972, Sanderson also made headlines around the world of sports when he signed the richest contract in professional sports history with the Philadelphia Blazers of the WHA (2.8mil). Unfortunately, he only played eight games with the Blazers due nagging back injuries, which was first caused by slipping on a piece of paper on the ice. The club gave him $1 million and released him from the WHA.
He would return to the Bruins for two seasons, in which he only appeared in 54 games out of a possible 156. He went into a downward spiral due to alcoholism, injuries and an exhausting lifestyle. He bounced around with the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins, but was never the same because of his addictions.
Sanderson made bad investments and lost millions, he was broke when he retired at the age of 31 in 1977 and was seen, one time, sleeping on a New York City park bench, and in poor health. Several years after Sanderson's retirement, old friend Bobby Orr spent his own money to check Sanderson into rehab in 1979.
He beat his addictions and is now a sober and a successful manager at a financial advisement company for athletes, and is an investment spokesman in the Boston area. By his own estimate, Sanderson says he survived 10 hip surgeries, prostate cancer and two heart attacks.
