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Not So Tall Tales From Ray Scampy Scapinello: Four Decades In The NHL

Isaiah Powell

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Ray Scampy Scapinello spent four decades in the NHL as a player, coach, and scout. He was a member of the Montreal Canadiens' Stanley Cup championship team in 1969, and he also played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings. After his playing career ended, Scapinello coached the Quebec Nordiques and the New York Islanders. He also served as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.

Between The Lines: Not-So-Tall Tales From Ray "Scampy" Scapinello's Four Decades in the NHL

by Ray Scapinello

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In this article, Scapinello shares some of his favorite stories from his time in the NHL. He talks about playing with some of the greatest players in the history of the game, including Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, and Bobby Orr. He also shares some of the challenges he faced during his career, including injuries and the pressure of playing in front of thousands of fans.

Scapinello's stories are full of humor and insight. He offers a unique perspective on the NHL, and his stories are sure to entertain and inform hockey fans of all ages.

Playing with the Canadiens

I was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1964, and I played with the team for four seasons. It was an incredible experience, and I was fortunate to play with some of the greatest players in the history of the game.

Maurice Richard was the captain of the Canadiens when I joined the team. He was a living legend, and I was in awe of him. He was a great leader, and he always put the team first.

Jean Beliveau was another superstar on the Canadiens. He was a gifted skater and shooter, and he could control the puck like no one else. He was also a great teammate, and he was always willing to help others.

I learned a lot from playing with Richard and Beliveau. They taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. I also learned how to win. The Canadiens were a dominant team in the 1960s, and we won the Stanley Cup in 1969.

Playing with the Bruins

After four seasons with the Canadiens, I was traded to the Boston Bruins. I played with the Bruins for two seasons, and I had a great time there.

The Bruins were a young team with a lot of potential. Bobby Orr was the star of the team, and he was one of the most exciting players I have ever seen. He was a great skater, shooter, and passer, and he could do it all on the ice.

I played with some other great players on the Bruins, including Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Wayne Cashman. We had a lot of success together, and we made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1972.

Playing with the Red Wings

After two seasons with the Bruins, I was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. I played with the Red Wings for four seasons, and I had some good years there.

The Red Wings were a rebuilding team when I joined them, but we had some good young players, including Marcel Dionne, Danny Gare, and Reed Larson. We made some progress during my time there, and we made the playoffs in 1976.

Playing with the Kings

After four seasons with the Red Wings, I was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. I played with the Kings for two seasons, and I had a good time there.

The Kings were a young team with a lot of potential. Bernie Nicholls was the star of the team, and he was one of the most skilled players I have ever seen. He was a great skater, shooter, and passer, and he could do it all on the ice.

I played with some other good players on the Kings, including Dave Taylor, Mark Hardy, and Charlie Simmer. We had some success together, and we made the playoffs in 1982.

Coaching the Nordiques

After my playing career ended, I became a coach. I coached the Quebec Nordiques for two seasons, and I had a good time there.

The Nordiques were a young team with a lot of potential. Joe Sakic was the star of the team, and he was one of the best players I have ever seen. He was a great skater, shooter, and passer, and he could do it all on the ice.

I played with some other good players on the Nordiques, including Peter Stastny, Michel Goulet, and Dale Hunter. We had some success together, and we made the playoffs in 1987.

Coaching the Islanders

After two seasons with the Nordiques, I became the head coach of the New York Islanders. I coached the Islanders for two seasons, and I had a good time there.

The Islanders were a veteran team with a lot of experience. Pat LaFontaine was the star of the team, and he was one of the best players I have ever seen. He was a great skater, shooter, and passer, and he could do it all on the ice.

I coached some other good players on the Islanders, including Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, and Denis Potvin. We had some success together, and we made the playoffs in 1989.

Scouting for the Maple Leafs

After my coaching career ended, I became a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I scouted for the Maple Leafs for four seasons, and I had a good time there.

The Maple Leafs were a young team with a lot of potential. Mats Sundin was the star of the team, and he was one of the best players I have ever seen. He was a great skater, shooter, and passer, and he could do it all on the ice.

I scouted some other good players on the Maple Leafs, including Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, and Dave Andreychuk. We had some success together, and we made the playoffs in 1993.

Scouting for the Senators

After four seasons with the Maple Leafs, I became a scout for the Ottawa Senators. I scouted for the Senators for four seasons, and I had a good time there.

The Senators were a young team with a lot of potential. Daniel Alfredsson was the star of the team, and he was one of the best players I have ever seen. He was a great skater, shooter, and passer, and he could do it all on the ice.

I scouted some other good players on the Senators, including Jason Spezza, Chris Neil, and Mike Fisher. We had some success together, and we made the playoffs in 1997.

My favorite memories

I have a lot of great memories from my time in the NHL. I was fortunate to play with some of the greatest players in the history of the game, and I was fortunate to coach and scout some great players as well.

One of my favorite memories is winning the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1969. It was an incredible feeling, and it was a dream come true.

Another one of my favorite memories is playing against Bobby Orr in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1972. Orr was the best player in the world at the time, and it was an honor to play against him.

I also have a lot of great memories from my time as a coach and scout. I was fortunate to work with some great players and coaches, and I learned a lot from them.

I am grateful for all of the great memories I have from my time in the NHL. I was fortunate to experience a lot of success, and I was fortunate to meet a lot of great people.

My advice to young players

I have a lot of advice to give to young players who want to play in the NHL. The most important thing is to work hard and never give up on your dreams. You need to be willing to put in the time and effort to improve your skills, and you need to be willing to sacrifice in order to achieve your goals.

If you have the talent and the drive, anything is possible. You can achieve your dreams if you are willing to work hard and never give up.

I hope you enjoyed my stories from my time in the NHL. I am grateful for all of the great memories I have, and I hope that my stories will inspire you to follow your dreams.

Between The Lines: Not-So-Tall Tales From Ray "Scampy" Scapinello's Four Decades in the NHL

by Ray Scapinello

4.3 out of 5