Awrey recalls '70s Bruins glories.

Byline: Jay Gearan

FITCHBURG - Don Awrey played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League, but those 10 years with the Boston Bruins are cherished the most by area hockey fans who remember him wearing No. 26, paired with Bobby Orr and helping the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972.

Recently, Mr. Awrey returned to the area and Wallace Civic Center, where he trained with the Bruins in the early 1970s.

The Ontario native, now 65, played in the annual Oldtimers Bud-Light Hockey Tournament, looking nearly as smooth on the ice as in his heyday, when he was with the Bruins and later winning another Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens.

"He still plays like a pro, diving at the puck, blocking shots," said teammate Jean-Guy Gagnon. "And he's a fun guy to play with."

Added teammate and longtime friend Leo Gould, "I remember the days when Don came here (Wallace Civic Center) to train. He was the only guy I saw in the NHL who could skate with Orr."

After a game, Mr. Awrey agreed to a sporting conversation.

Q. You've never really stopped playing hockey, have you?

A. That's right. From the time I retired from the NHL, I've always played Oldtimers hockey.

Q. You must enjoy skating with your team in this tournament. Is it fun?

A. I love coming back and playing with these guys. Everyone brings something to the game as far as their skill level. I love seeing guys like Fred Ayles, my breakfast mate, because he's one of the originals.

Q. How old were you when you retired from the NHL?

A. I was close to 36, playing with the Colorado Rockies. I was thinking about coming back for a half a season. If it was today, I probably would. They can make $500,000 for one-half a season.

Q. Speaking of money, did you make a lot playing in the NHL?

A. In 1963 when I turned pro, I signed for $2,500. My first contract with the Bruins I made $7,500. I got up to around $100,000 in the late 1970s. Not too bad. In those days we never knew what other players made. What's the average salary now, around $1.2 million?

Q. You were highly praised for your unselfish defensive work alongside Bobby Orr. How was it playing with such a legend?

A. Truthfully, Orr could have played with any defenseman. He was that good. He never got caught out of position. Once he made a swing from the blue line, he never stopped. He always kept in stride. Even at practices and scrimmages he was amazing, just unbelievable.

Q. Do you ever see Mr. Orr these days?

A. Not very often. Because I'm in Florida most of the time, our paths don't cross.

Q. How do you stay in such good shape?

A. I really don't work out, but I try to watch my diet and I still play a lot of hockey. I keep active.

Q. Do you remember your days here at Wallace, training with the Bruins?

A. Sure, I was in my 20s and this place was brand new. We stayed at the Thunderbird down the road. We worked hard though in practice, all those starts and stops.

Q. How about the early days, traveling with the Bruins?

A. We used to travel by train in the days of only six teams. It was a train to Montreal or Toronto or Chicago. The only place we flew was to New York 

Q. Do people in the street stop sometimes and recognize you?

A. It has happened a lot. So many people back then watched the games on Channel 38 and they remember us. Wearing no helmets back then you get recognized.

Q. Have you ever coached?

A. Yes, but I got fired from my job as the hockey coach at Florida Coast University two years ago. It was a club team, and we went 18-2-2. The kids got together and decided I was too old-fashioned and too much of a disciplinarian and they got rid of me. I won't coach again.

Q. What was your most memorable fight?

A. (Laughter) I never won many fights. I was better looking than I am now. But I remember one with Marc Tardif of Montreal. I grabbed him around the collar, twisted into his neck with my knuckles and he fainted and went down. I thought I killed him. He was such a competitor, the next time we played he kicked the daylights out of me.

ART: PHOTO

PHOTOG: JAY GEARAN

CUTLINE: Former Boston Bruins defenseman Don Awrey, left, and Gardner High hockey coach Jean-Guy Gagnon at the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg.