
From Backyard Rinks to Stanley Cups: Terry Harper's Journey Part 1 EP138
06/03/24 • 42 min
In this episode of the Hockey Journey podcast, Coach Lance Pitlick interviews Terry Harper, a former NHL player with an impressive career spanning 18 years. Harper, known for his exceptional defensive skills, shares stories from his childhood in Saskatchewan, his journey through the NHL, and the challenges he overcame, including a severe burn injury. This episode provides a deep dive into Harper's life, his love for hockey, and the influential figures who helped shape his career.
Summary
- 🏒 Introduction to Terry Harper: Terry Harper, a former NHL player with five Stanley Cup victories, shares his journey in hockey, starting from his childhood in Saskatchewan.
- 📜 Early Life and Introduction to Hockey: Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Harper grew up playing hockey in the long winters, with his grandfather building a rink in the backyard.
- 🏆 NHL Career: Harper's career highlights include his time with the Montreal Canadiens, where he was known for his defensive skills and won multiple Stanley Cups.
- 🎓 Balancing Education and Hockey: Harper's journey included an attempt to balance college education with his professional hockey career, reflecting his dedication and perseverance.
- 🔥 Overcoming Adversity: Harper overcame a severe burn injury in his youth, which required extensive recovery and influenced his perspective on life and sports.
- 🌟 Influential Coaches: The influence of coaches like Toe Blake and the role they played in Harper's development as a player and a person.
- 🏒 Impact of World War II: The impact of WWII on Harper's family and community, highlighting the challenges and resilience of that era.
Insights Based on Numbers
- Five Stanley Cups: Harper's achievement of winning five Stanley Cups is a significant milestone, showcasing his skill and contribution to the teams he played for.
- 18-Year NHL Career: Harper's long career in the NHL, spanning 18 years, reflects his consistency and high performance as a defensive player.
- 1940s Hockey: The context of playing hockey in the 1940s, with fewer teams (only six NHL teams), meant making a team was a significant accomplishment, indicating Harper's exceptional talent.
To learn more about Terry Harper -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Harper
For more information regarding Coach Lance Pitlick
Online Hockey Training
Largest Online Data-Base Off-Ice Stickhandling, Passing and Shooting Drills
https://www.onlinehockeytraining.com/
In-person lessons with Coach Lance
In this episode of the Hockey Journey podcast, Coach Lance Pitlick interviews Terry Harper, a former NHL player with an impressive career spanning 18 years. Harper, known for his exceptional defensive skills, shares stories from his childhood in Saskatchewan, his journey through the NHL, and the challenges he overcame, including a severe burn injury. This episode provides a deep dive into Harper's life, his love for hockey, and the influential figures who helped shape his career.
Summary
- 🏒 Introduction to Terry Harper: Terry Harper, a former NHL player with five Stanley Cup victories, shares his journey in hockey, starting from his childhood in Saskatchewan.
- 📜 Early Life and Introduction to Hockey: Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Harper grew up playing hockey in the long winters, with his grandfather building a rink in the backyard.
- 🏆 NHL Career: Harper's career highlights include his time with the Montreal Canadiens, where he was known for his defensive skills and won multiple Stanley Cups.
- 🎓 Balancing Education and Hockey: Harper's journey included an attempt to balance college education with his professional hockey career, reflecting his dedication and perseverance.
- 🔥 Overcoming Adversity: Harper overcame a severe burn injury in his youth, which required extensive recovery and influenced his perspective on life and sports.
- 🌟 Influential Coaches: The influence of coaches like Toe Blake and the role they played in Harper's development as a player and a person.
- 🏒 Impact of World War II: The impact of WWII on Harper's family and community, highlighting the challenges and resilience of that era.
Insights Based on Numbers
- Five Stanley Cups: Harper's achievement of winning five Stanley Cups is a significant milestone, showcasing his skill and contribution to the teams he played for.
- 18-Year NHL Career: Harper's long career in the NHL, spanning 18 years, reflects his consistency and high performance as a defensive player.
- 1940s Hockey: The context of playing hockey in the 1940s, with fewer teams (only six NHL teams), meant making a team was a significant accomplishment, indicating Harper's exceptional talent.
To learn more about Terry Harper -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Harper
For more information regarding Coach Lance Pitlick
Online Hockey Training
Largest Online Data-Base Off-Ice Stickhandling, Passing and Shooting Drills
https://www.onlinehockeytraining.com/
In-person lessons with Coach Lance
Previous Episode

Unveiling AI in Hockey Training : Michael Fitzgerald EP137
Join us in today's episode of the Hockey Journey podcast as we feature Michael Fitzgerald from Head Up Hockey AI. Dive into the innovative world of AI technology integrated into hockey training and youth hockey drills. Michael and his team are pioneering the field, and today, we explore the exciting intersection of hockey and AI. Get comfortable and enjoy this engaging discussion that will inspire every hockey enthusiast and tech aficionado!
🏒 Learn More About Michael Fitzgerald and Head Up Hockey AI:
Shop & Save: [Head Up Hockey AI Shop](https://headsuphockey.ai/) (Use code Fasthands at checkout for 15% off)
Follow on Instagram: [Head Up Hockey on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=bg8lhvmdljly&utm_content=twmkfza)
Connect on Facebook: [Head Up Hockey on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556747974609)
Watch on TikTok: [Head Up Hockey on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@headsuphockeyapp?_t=8lpd3lUMNkF&_r=1)
🏒 More from Coach Lance Pitlick:
Online Hockey Training: [Largest Database of Off-Ice Drills](https://www.onlinehockeytraining.com/)
In-person Lessons: [Sweet Hockey Coach](https://www.sweethockeycoach.com/)
Thank you for tuning in to the Hockey Journey Podcast. Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to keep up with all our latest content. Have a productive day and keep your head up on and off the ice!
#HockeyJourneyPodcast #HeadUpHockeyAI #YouthHockeyDrills #HockeyTraining #AIinSports #HockeyLife #TechInnovation #HockeyCoaching #OnlineHockeyTraining #EntrepreneurSpirit
Next Episode

Terry Harper Hockey Journey EP139 (Part Two)
Terry Harper's Hockey Journey
Terry Harper's Hockey Journey
I have to apologize for the abrupt ending of part one of Mr. Harper's hockey journey. It's like when you're the fan of the home team that's down by 3 at the end of the second, battle back to tie the game in dramatic fashion, sending the contest into overtime, only to lose that game in the first 30 seconds of the final frame. 😞 That's how I felt. We were settled in, ready for the next chapter of Terry's story, getting to the really good stuff, and then it's over. Well, today we're going to fix that.
Terry Harper has an incredible story. Born in 1940, his childhood wasn't an easy one, as he was raised during the war and experienced all the hardships that came along with this worldwide challenge. He also, at a young age, came close to losing his life from the complications of a fire he was involved in, resulting in years of skin grafting, not knowing if he'd survive the event or be able to walk or do sports ever again.
But as we'll see throughout his 18-year tenure in the NHL, Terry exemplified the epitome of defensive prowess. A cornerstone of the Montreal Canadiens' dynasty from 1963-1972, he played an integral role in securing an impressive five Stanley Cup victories for the historic franchise. 🏆
So, Ladies and Gentlemen, get your end dialed in, as we begin part two of the captivating tale of Terry Harper, a beacon of inspiration whose resilience, dedication, and unwavering spirit continue to resonate with hockey enthusiasts around the world. 🌟
Check out the links below to learn more about the amazing hockey life of Terry Harper!! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderfully productive day! 😊
- 📜 Terry Harper Wikipedia
- 🏒 Terry Harper Hockey DB
- 📄 1962 Toronto Maple Leafs training camp welcome letter
- 🎥 Pulford vs. Harper: The Battle that Divided the Penalty Box
For more information regarding Coach Lance Pitlick
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