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Friday, June 24, 2011

June 24--Tom Reid

Tom Reid


He graduated from the amateur ranks just in time to take advantage of the NHL's expansion in 1967. After a brief cup of tea in the minors, he joined the Chicago Blackhawk blueline corps and quickly established himself as a stay-at-home defender who viewed the offensive zone as a distant moon.
Reid lasted with Chicago until 1969, at which time the Minnesota North Stars acquired him. For the nine seasons that followed, he served as a sort of third goal post, firmly anchored to his own zone.
Reid stood as a North Star mainstay until 1977. It was at that time that a small red rash appeared on his arm. Massive itching sensations soon followed as his skin began to deteriorate. His affliction soon took on the name "Gunk." As the league's doctors, trainers, and equipment producers began to investigate, they discovered that about 100 players across the NHL were suffering from various degrees of the affliction. But no case was as severe as Reid's. His skin got so bad that he could only sleep while sitting upright in a wooden chair. Before the season was over, his suffering grew so severe that he was forced to retire. In the end, the doctors concluded that he was allergic to his equipment and to the dye found in his uniform.

Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub opened in St. Paul shortly after the NHL Minnesota Wild franchise was confirmed. It is now a popular destination for families and hockey fans.



Received these blue ink signed cards TTM.




Return envelope from company where he worked postmarked 1984.

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