WHA coach Bobby Kromm has died

[trebendan]

Is anyone on these boards old enough to remember Bobby Kromm, coach of the WHA Jets for 2 seasons? He led them to the Avco Cup in '76.

Former Red Wings coach Bobby Kromm dies just a day after 82nd birthday

2010-06-11 14:15:00
LIVONIA, Mich. - Former Detroit Red Wings coach Bobby Kromm has died.

The Fred Wood Funeral Home in Livonia, near Detroit, said Kromm died Wednesday, one day after his 82nd birthday.

Kromm led the NHL franchise from 1977-78 to 1980. The team's 32-34-14 record and its second-place Norris Division finish and playoff appearance in his first season earned Kromm the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year.

The British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame lists Kromm's playing and coaching career as lasting 30 years in four leagues.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine; and two sons and two daughters.

[hockeyguy]

Yes, Bobby Kromm was a great coach....and I apologize for posting this in the wrong spot originally, sorry to the Mod that had to delete it....my bad.

[hockeyguy]

I remember it was late summer early fall ( I was 12 years old at the time ) and the Jets had a free skate at the River Heights Arena. My older brother knew Mike Ford at the time as they both worked at Budget Rent A Car ( Mike worked there during the summer ), anyways my brother pointed to a man sitting in the stands by himself and said " that's the coach...go over and say hi...his name is Mr Kromm".

So I walked over and with a grin Bobby Kromm say's "hi, and what's your name" he shook my hand and asked " you play hockey son?" I replied with a nod of my head and I'm pretty sure I was very bugged eyed. "pretty good looking team huh?" he asked, and I nervously replied "yes". "come with me" he said as I followed him to just behind the bench, one of the players happen to be at the bench leaning on the boards catching his breath....Bobby Kromm say's to the player " Veli " as in ( Veli-Pekka Ketola )"have an extra stick for this friend of mine?". Bobby handed him a pen to sign it, I believe I thank Veli but I'm not too sure due to the fact my mouth was open as wide as my eyes!!!.

Bobby Kromm then pointed over to a couple of guys at the end of the rink ( just in street clothes) " go and say hi to those two guys, you'll remember it for the rest of your life"...I had know idea at the time what he meant by that. So I walked over, one guy sitting and the other standing with one leg up on the bench having a conversation.

I walked up and stopped and both guys looked at me ( the one guy who had his one foot on the bench I'll never forget, he had this perfect smile and nicely styled long blonde hair). I point towards Bobby Kromm and said to the two guys " Mr Kromm sent me over" they both said hi with a smile and I asked " who are you guys?" the guy standing say's in an accent I could barely understand " Andres Hedberg " and shook my hand and the other guy sitting say's " Ulf Nilsson " well I never have heard of these two guys but little did I know that Bobby Kromm was right, it was a moment this 12 year old would never ever forget.

So that night I met three of the most talented hockey players arguably that ever laced up skates in this city, perhaps even North America and all thanks to one special guy named Bobby Kromm.

That's the Bobby Kromm I remember and won't ever forget.

Jim

[~Jiffy~]

Wow, what a terrible thing to happen. I lost my "OPA" last night... he passed on.
(Opa is grandpa, he is actually my moms uncle but he stepped in as my grandpa when my actual Opa passed away in 2001.)

Ughhhhgh I hate stories like this.