Knew Tom for last year's of his life. Great guy. Loved the game.

He coached me when I was a kid with the Toronto Jr Canadiens. Great guy, RIP Coach Tom!

RIP Tom. He faced his problems and turned it around in the end. An inspiration for not quitting on yourself, no matter the odds.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Well said

@USMCCombatVet4TastyCrayons

Жыл бұрын

He didn't turn anything around. He served his own selfish interest to play hockey in prison. It wasn't about the "minorities " in prison. It wasn't about anything but HIM his whole life. He was a weak, CRIMINAL. He helped cartels, gangs, and TERRORISM by being a weak-minded, NO ETHICS OR HONOR scumbag drug mule. He disgraced HIS country, and betrayed ours. May he rot in hell as the BRAINLESS NARCO DONKEY he was.

Outstanding story. In the end he seemed at peace with himself. God Bless his family and friends, along with those he shared his shorten life with.

I dont know much about hockey all the way over here in Kenya, but I know people which is why i like this channel so much. These men's stories go far befond just spotts and you show that well. I was very pleased to see the nice things said right at the end of the video. He's not defined by his crimes but by the impact he made on thr people around him

@dafttassia1960

Жыл бұрын

Sports*

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Wow! Kenya! amazing. Thanks so much for your awesome comment.

I knew Tom back in public school in Cooksville, Ont before it was named Mississauga, Ontario. I was very fortunate as a young boy to have played hockey with Tom. He was quite tall & an excellent player. When Tom had the puck it was like ok, now what's he going to do. We weren't friends but we knew each other through hockey. Played on the outdoor rinks & in the arenas. Great story & great memories 👏

@cliffroberts1774

Жыл бұрын

Never knew it was called cooksvill

@humanipulationnation

Жыл бұрын

Prove it grandpa

Beautiful video, PHA. For me it brings home the humanity within us all.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Desert ... Tom's insights and humanity after falling were a great inspiration.

Wow, the ‘79 Draft Class was stacked, and sometimes, there’s always a ‘what if’ in these kinds of stories, but sometimes, when you feel like you hit your lowest point and think you can’t redeem yourself, there’s always a chance, even a small chance for redemption, and I’m happy for Tom that he found himself again in prison before he ultimately passed away. This was a great video.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Bud ... as always great insights and I enjoyed reading your comment.

@USMCCombatVet4TastyCrayons

Жыл бұрын

He was a drug smuggling, child poisoning, gang crime ENABLING, CARTEL/TERRORISM SUPPORTING betrayer of his home country and a scumbag PoS trespasser and coke mule in MY country. He was worthless and may he rot in hell.

Another great video! Your storytelling and flow are excellent and you pick out the best stories. I never knew Tom McCarthy had gone through so much...wow. And can you imagine going from being chosen over a young Wayne Gretzky to sharing a cell in Leavenworth? Sometimes life is stranger than fiction.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, my man ... greatly appreciate your comment!

@stephenhoward6137

Жыл бұрын

ⁿ

People underestimate the toll that concussions take on a person's mental health.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

You are correct!

@andrewshepersky8704

Жыл бұрын

Not once you've fallen 4 stories onto paved parking lot in roofing accident..multiple traumatic brain injuries.

@jaydubaic21

Жыл бұрын

Sad truth despite the fact the it should have been obvious. I think global warming and concussions in sports are the two biggest things we turn a blind eye to for the sake of fun.

@cheesegreezy9860

Жыл бұрын

@@jaydubaic21 stick to hockey . Plenty of other places to do your politics

@grumpynomad3551

Жыл бұрын

@@jaydubaic21 global warming? Have you seen New York. They have like 70” of snow and like 30 deaths from it.

Glen Sonmor helped a lot of people through his involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous. When I moved to the Twin Cities in 2005, I had no idea that Glen was instrumental in starting the "Thunderbird" AA Group. It was a privilege to sit in meeting with him, and the other members of that group. I still attend that meeting, and owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have passed. Thank you Glen. My sincere condolences to the McCarthy Family!

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Glen positively impacted many players: Butters, Goldy, Jack Carlson, etc. thanks!

Great video. The time period Tom played in, was during the height of my hockey fandom. I remember watching his North Star teams in the Cup Finals. Rest in peace.

I was sorry to hear of the trouble Tom went through and his ultimate passing. I recall following the 1979-80 edition of the Minnesota North Stars as they had such a great core of young players which Tom was a major part of. Tom’s idea to start a hockey program while incarcerated not only helped him but in some other way his fellow inmates as well. I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who are willing to give back.May he RIP.

@hoss-lk4bg

Жыл бұрын

say no to heavy drugs

RIP Tom, really appreciated him during his time in Boston. Sad that he went so young but glad that he had turned it all around at the end.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Played pretty well in Boston ... surprised his career ended so suddenly.

@nutknowledge

Жыл бұрын

@@ProHockeyAlumni Agreed. Always thought he could've given the Bruins a fighting chance vs the Oilers in the '88 SCF. By the way, really enjoy your channel and nicely done with this particular video.

@sportsfix6975

Жыл бұрын

Part of me wonders if his heart aneurysm was due to the vaxx

Great praise and thanks from a Bruins fan from good old Germany for this respectful and loving homage! R.I.P. Tom McCarthy.

RIP Tom Thank You from a long time hockey fan.

That he did hard time for trafficking marijuana,driving a truck from California to Minnesota, shakes your head abit knowing today marijuana is so legally prevalent. But then again if it wasn't marijuana,today he would of been mixed up with opioids. A screenwriter should of already penned a similar story about a ton of Canadian guys/families who have lived his story. Throw in the mention of the horrific Humboldt Broncos bus crash and the right director and actor , it would be the yin and yang to Slap Shot.

Thanks.....bringing back memories 🙏🙏 RIP Tom... .

I remember Tom when he was with the Stars. I was fortunate to see him play a couple times in person.

Nobody was as passionate for the Game of Hockey as this man. I watched him as a Coach in the NOJHL and there was never a night where he didn't play as hard as his team. Rest in Peace Tom. I hope they let you play up there.

" ACCEPTANCE " ! Amazing and phenomenal response. One thing that we all could either learn, and always learn to have more of

another great vid, but thank you for not making me cry with this video ,most of your vid are real tearjerkers

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Pelle (speaking of tear-jerkers). Always good to hear from you and thanks again.

@anthonyriche552

Жыл бұрын

Right!?! I'm moved each time I watch one of these. Sooo well done and touching.

I remember Tom’s time with the North Stars from when I was a little kid in the Minneapolis area. His family’s restaurant was less than a mile from our church, so we passed by it a lot. I hadn’t known about his post-career troubles until now, though. What a great redemption story! It’s a shame he was taken from us so young.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your personal recollections straight from Minnesota. It was a great time to be a North Stars fan.

I was with Tom in the dark years. A better person I have yet to meet. Thrombose RIP !

Thank you for taking the time to make this content to tell his story. Gone but not forgotten!

Well done great story. Great to see his last chapter was his best in life. Would be a good movie for sure.

A family member I know is a REALLY good guy. Smart & talented too. Good article. I hope all Mr McCarthy well too. Tragic story of a great talent.

Great video, I grew up watching the North Stars and the Broten, Ciccarelli, McCarthy line was my favorite. Glad Tommy got his life straightened out! RIP Tommy

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks - great times in Minny!

I always look forward to these videos, even though there is always an element of tragedy in them, particularly in terms of substance abuse. I grew up in Oshawa and I remember McCarthy's two fantastic years there. I had hoped he would have a longer more profound career. I didn't know about the time in prison and his untimely death in Mexico.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Hey Steven ... Thanks for your comment and insights!

"very weary of riding buses in snowstorms" - I think any kid who grew up playing hockey in a rural area can understand that....by the time i got to age 18 playing minor hockey in southern alberta 3 of my team mates and 3 parents of team mates (parents being the ones who would drive us to out of town games) had been killed in horrible car accidents in blizzards on gravel roads.....there were times i just dreaded out of town games just the drives there and back were nightmares....and half the time the parent driving was boozed up too! Absolutely hated it.

Great guy, great player. So sad that he past away. I meet, him first time 1980. In Stockholm. Then 81,in Minneapolis usa. GREAT team 1981, they play final stanley cup. They hade some hard games in. Semi, Calgary, that was a good series. Both Team was so good. Minnesota north stars. Rick. Wounder what Neal Broten doin now, and Steve Payne, and Brad Palmer. And Kevin Maxwell, Craig, and Al, and Gilles. Great people and i was there. AND LOU NANNE what a nice man.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

thanks ... very interesting. Yes, that was a powerhouse Minny team.

As always Pro Hockey Alumni deliver a great video.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much ... your support is greatly appreciated!

You sure you’re not a baseball player? Cause you knocked this one out of the park. You’re made for this stuff don’t stop what you’re doing cause it’s an impressive angle that you’ve taken on giving others the hockey experience. Like all good stories, it’s not all about one’s achievements. You tell as much of the persons life story that you can. Great job.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

😀 ⚾️ awesome comment that made my day! Thanks very much!

Thank you for another wonderful video from a player from the past. I always liked the Minnesota North Stars and was disippointed when they left town. Tom McCarthy was drafted by the North Stars and had a few good years despite injuries and addictions, but ended up with the Boston Bruins. I'm from Boston and don't remember him very well, but I'm happy to hear he turned his life around, especially since he went to prison. He stayed positive and used prison to coach inmates. He turned a nightmare, of going to prison, to learning that he can coach hockey. It's too bad his life was cut short, but it's the time used on earth and not the years that makes him a legend.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Quality post … thanks!

Wait, what? Tom was my neighbour in Espanola and this is how I find out he passed away?? I always enjoyed talking to him and never heard anyone say a bad thing about him

Clearly a quality guy. Flawed, but committed to having a 'net positive' impact on the people around him. As a North Stars fan from 'back in the day', it's nice to have learned about Tom's legacy... thank you!

This is only the third video I've watched on this channel, and it doesn't matter who the player is, it's always an honest look of both the amazing highs and lowest of lows. But you always finish a video with a positive word leaving the watcher with one question, What could've been. Subbed!!

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks … Glad to have you with us! 🙏

Sad. I was not aware of this...RIP...

What a story.I give him lots of credit 4 turning his life around.Maybe someone could make a film about him and what transpired in his life...

Rest in peace Tom McCarthy 🙏

Tommy boy you well be missed greatly truly a great man and always willing to take a second to talk to anybody especially the young guys looking for advice or to his players much love

@devlinfoyston5522

Жыл бұрын

A good old Espanola boy like AL Secord or well at least Tommy boys dad Red was from Espanola

I knew his oriental gym teacher who also was the best skate sharpener in all of the Toronto areas at the time. He told me the story of Tom. He also said that Tom was skilled, tough, and actually, a nice guy who was easily manipulated. I actually wanted to meet him but had a hard time tracking him down and now I heard of his passing. Rest in Peace Tom.

Another great story! Tom McCarthy was a tremendous hockey player for my home town Minnesota North Stars back in the early 1980's. Knowing more of his backstory makes me like him even more.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

R.I.P. Tom McCarthy. ❤🏒♥ NHL All Star

I worked in Boston during college and he and a few Bruins use to drink at the bar super great guy -

Excellent video. Thank you again!!!

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate your kind words.

Great Video!!!!!! So glad Tom found himself again,,. seemed like a real genuine person!!!

A moving documentary. Thank you.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Damn ,you do an amazing job on these historic documentaries about the colourful people in our great game.❤ I was born in 66 and refereed in the omha and ohl ,in the 80’s and 90’s , so I find these life stories fascinating for the fact that I most probably watched a lot of these kids play when they were young players at some point in time. Keep up the great work 🎉 Cheers 🍻

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thank you ... I'll bet you have some interesting stories to tell!

As a North Star fan, this was the guy who played little but scored all the time. We loved watching him play.

@davidthompson62

Жыл бұрын

He definitely had a nose for the net when he was straight both in Minny.and Boston.

Amazing how intoxication can destroy the smartest, the strongest and the most able..........

Wow I didn’t think I was gonna get emotional over a hockey video.

Oh man, so sad. Hockey players and pro athletes don't always have the best of lives. Family & friends are always so important. RIP, Tom McCarthy. You are loved and missed by family, friends, and hockey fans!

@cherobinson6371

Жыл бұрын

It’s sad that alcohol is so social acceptable and even promoted as a way to Unwind when in Fact it kills more than all illicit drugs combined

That's sad he is a great guy and a great hockey players. Every body make mistakes In life brush off your shoulders and do great. He taught alot people hockey he touched alot of lifes.

Nice video. Thx.

Well done as usual. Thank you

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks again, Mort!

Awesome video. Thanks for these wonderful player profiles. I love learning about what happens to these guys after their careers are over. Fascinating storytelling. You do a terrific job with each video.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that, Rich, and I am glad your shared your thoughts on this ... It means a lot!

I love so much your video theTime you take for the research and you let the viewer take there opinion it’s pro work keep it up please😉

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

I’ll keep going for you, my friend!

i was only a teammate for 6 weeks.. but he was a great guy to be around . when you knew you were not going to be a part of the team.. he was always around to give you good news. I left minny before the season started . but never knew he was a bad guy

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

excellent! thanks!

Another fantatic video. Great job.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much ... thanks for commenting!

Great video

AMAZING DOCUMENTARY! THIS WAS ON MY BRUINS FEED BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF HIM BEFORE. THEN I SEEN THE COCAINE BEAR ON HIS JERSEY AND THEN I KNEW THIS WOULD BE INTERESTING. 😁GREAT JOB. RIP

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching …. Go B’s! 💪

Tommy was a neighbor of mine when I was a teenager. He always had time to talk signing autographs and play a little street hockey with us. He was truly a great guy. His story just breaks my heart.

I was a big fan of those Minnesota North Star teams. McCarthy was so good but could never stay healthy. Good documentary. I didn't realize that he had died. I'm glad he was able to do many positive things following his time in prison.

When Tom came to Boston he had an immediate positive impact on the team. But only a few years and then he was gone. He definitely had a goal scorers touch when he was at the top of his game.

Thank you for your great work

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching - and for commenting

Outstanding job , never knew whole story till now

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Trevor!

Great video. Never heard of him before but he seems like a very good guy. The injuries and ailments including Ball's Palsy was mind boggling. Not a quitter 👍

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

you are right, Kerrsy ... he played through a lot

@andykerr3803

Жыл бұрын

@@ProHockeyAlumni It seems in his limited ice time, he was an extraordinary performer. My degree was in Exercise Sciences, most of the pathologies point to a Calcium disorder that went undiagnosed. Both the fractures and irregular muscle contraction. Possibly his death was related as well. Regardless he really shone bright.

@Missditabomb

Жыл бұрын

@@andykerr3803 Makes sense!!

Wow you do amazing job on these videos, I really learn about a player that I knew of, but didn't know his personal life.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏 very much!

The humbolt Broncos bus accident was not in a blizzard. It was a inexperienced truck driver of only two weeks blowing thru a stop sign. That accident singlehandedly changed the CDL process in Canada.

Great video and podcast

I have a Tom McCarthy stick, signed by the entire team from 1983

He played with my hometown Oshawa Generals.They picked him ahead of Gretzy. I guess he made it clear he didn't want to play here despite the fact that Oshawa was closer to his hometown.

@mikehenningsen8796

Жыл бұрын

By any chance, was your fathers name Fred? I worked with a Fred Goguen at TRS Food Service, he had a son Brian?

I gotta admit “Just for the Halibut” is a pretty good name.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

yes, pretty creative indeed!

Thank you!

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

You bet! Thanks for watching.

Thank you for sharing. As a hockey fan, I have heard about his name, but I didn’t know much about him. What a story!

Ernie "Punch" Mclean could be a good tale to tell. Still hanging in. Legend in WHL.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

great idea!

@Classicrocker6119

Жыл бұрын

Don’t forget Paddy Ginnell,Bill Hunter and Scotty Munro just to name a few as well

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

@@Classicrocker6119 legends … just like you!

@Classicrocker6119

Жыл бұрын

@@ProHockeyAlumni you’re very kind !😀

I knew him during high school in Oshawa. Many of the Generals went there. Even though he was a star player, he never acted like one. Several of his teammates did, but Tom was a good guy who treated everyone with respect and humility. I knew he was having issues even then. I just thought he would drop it all when he turned professional. He did associate with some shady guys though, who I could see were using him. I see it continued to follow him later in life…I’m saddened to know he passed away.

@dulseeater4019

Жыл бұрын

My old boss is still friends with him. I have heard his entire story. Bill couldn't stop going on about what a great coach he is. Glad it worked out for him.

@USMCCombatVet4TastyCrayons

Жыл бұрын

You can't be a "good guy" when you help smuggle POISON that PERPETUATES drug addiction problems. You can't be a "good guy" when you SUPPLY the scumbags that push highly addictive POISON on KIDS. You can't be a "good guy" when, PURELY FOR GREED and some sort of effed up form of "THRILL" or "EXCITEMENT" you SUPPORT TERRORISM/CARTELS by smuggling this garbage into MY country (while disgracing Canada's overall decent image). He was a criminal. You are ALWAYS a criminal once you become one. He was a STUPID and SELFISH little KAREN of a manchild in life - one that SOLD OUT TWO COUNTRIES to feed organized crime and fund terrorism all for his own amusement or HIS WEAKNESS at not being able to say no to those "friends," like a BISH. May he rot in hell.

@hulkhoganstights6596

Жыл бұрын

Sure you did

very good video. you show real life. you show real people. you could have focused on the negative aspects of Tom’s life but this video is uplifting. showing that even if you make mistakes or bad decisions, you can be a good person. great job.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏 very much for your kind words and your support is appreciated

In depth video, really enjoyed it. Specifically the Canadian part. Instant sub, have a good day.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Welcome … and thank you!

I remember seeing Tom play for the Oshawa Generals in the late 70’s he was a very talented player

such an underated channel ,great work buddy, these vidoes are so well made. grew up watching/playing hockey ,being swedish this is our national sport, but moved away to more of an interest in basketball for me. thanks for these

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏 your kind words mean a lot

@ettnollbajen9945

Жыл бұрын

@@ProHockeyAlumni No worries i see your channel growing in the future, love these old stories i havent heard before

RIP you are a true warrior sleep easy in HEAVEN!!!!! MR. MCCARTHY

What a class act. The title fits the story perfect. Outstanding work in this, once again.. Thank you, very much for putting in the time and getting the stories told properly with the respect deserved. So many players need this kind of recognition, and the accolades for coming full circle for the redemptions they individually acquired. Cheers

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏 GM … as always, your support is greatly appreciated!

People have no idea sometimes as to what the real root cause is, and, more importantly, what affect that has at much later points in life. All the best to everyone. Love and love some more.

This is a nice presentation celebrating redemption, but there is a point or two that could use a bit of clarification. For instance, when you mention the draft, it's not clear that you are talking about the OMJHL draft in '77, as Gretzky wasn't drafted to the NHL (a lot of people don't know that). Lastly, McCarthy's highest single season NHL goal total was 39. These are just a couple minor points that would tidy things up a bit.

Huge Minnesota hockey fan and as a high schooler in the 80s, I remember Tommy, we loved him as a player. To bad that he fell into drugs, but so happy he redeemed himself after spending time in prison. RIP Tommy McCarthy....

Your chanel is amazing.

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Thanks ... as always, your support is appreciated!

Gretzky and his dad learned to call their own shots, Walter always knew what was best for Wayne and dictated

I think of the path he took, I think he lived a complete life ups any downs. The thing I noticed was that he never ever quit. I wish I could say the same. No matter what situation he was in he adapted and overcame. You think that you want to be a star then you look at the injuries that occurred anyone of those would stop a average person. Good job life lived to the last drop

He was in level 1 Leavenworth camp, not the level 5 Leavenworth Penitentiary. But for weed it was ridiculous to get any time.

Been watching the game for 30 years. Religiously. Never heard of him until now.

RIP Tom

Actually, I think the greater glory is never falling, at least when compared to falling and rising every time. It has to do with how one defines "glory".

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

But that might be tough to fit into a five second clip 😀

RIP Tom. You were a great person

Glad he found himself again.

I partied with Tommy a few times!!! He liked going to the greyhound track

Great story, wow. Being a North Stars fan, those games and teams are embedded in this fan base forever. Like so many athletes in those days, substance abuse was prevalent and there was few safety nets. God Bless Tom and his family..

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

Good thoughts 💭 thank you!

Tom Barrasso benefited from the draft age rule just a lil' while later, as a result of McCarthy's push for the right to work. As many others did, I know....but TB immediately popped into my head. 🚬😎

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

right ... even Ray Bourque.

@craigfazekas3923

Жыл бұрын

@@ProHockeyAlumni These segments are great. I'd suggest doing more, but.... I know these aren't easily knocked together. The quality consistenty shows & that doesn't happen overnight. Thank you, regardless !! 🚬😎

@ProHockeyAlumni

Жыл бұрын

@@craigfazekas3923 thanks 🙏 for understanding!

I remember that 81 or 82 cup run as a kid as well. I was young, 10 or so, but the stars are on tv and its the cup. Whats a parent to do but let a minnesota kid watch hockey lol.