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FRASER: REMEMBERING THE TIMES WITH RON CARON

KERRY FRASER, TSN.ca, Jan 10 2012

I am deeply saddened by the passing of my old friend Ron 'Prof' Caron. I join the hockey world in extending our deepest sympathy and prayers to his family on their loss.

I wish to share some of the many memories I have of this great hockey mind who, as a scout and assistant general manager for the Montreal Canadiens, played a major role in six Stanley Cup victories before moving on to become general manager of the St. Louis Blues.

Ron Caron was affectionately known as the 'Professor' (ultimately shortened to Prof) for his amazing ability to recall facts, figures, dates and events which I am sure is one of the reasons he was such an effective judge of talent. Nothing escaped this man's tremendous memory.

I first met 'Prof' in 1973 when I was a 21-year-old referee under contract to the NHL. Scotty Morrison assigned me to games in the Western Canada Hockey League at various points in that season to gain some badly-needed experience in my new profession.

I had the good fortune to travel by car across the Prairies with Ron Caron and many other scouts such as Johnny Bower, Gump Worsley, Harry Howell, Edmonton Oilers super-scout Barry Fraser and others. I was in awe of these legendary hockey geniuses as I listened to their stories and gained valuable insight into the game from their perspective; one they freely shared.

Of the bunch, 'Prof' was the most energetic, animated and passionate when it came to storytelling and sharing his vast knowledge on every subject from hockey to baseball or politics.

Ron would leave no stone unturned and gather insights on players from all perspectives; even from a young referee like me. 'Prof' would take me aside privately and ask what I thought about players such as Greg Joly (First overall pick by the Washington Caps in 1974), Clark Gillies, Pat Price and others and if I thought they would make a good pro player.

After meeting Ron just one time, any subsequent meeting was always met with a warm smile, a firm hand shake and a slap to the other shoulder as he called the person by name as his friend.

'Prof' would almost sing a greeting say, "Kerry, my f-r-i-e-n-d, it is so g-o-o-d to see y-o-u," and then immediately break into a story recollection that I had been involved in with, "I r-e-m-e-m-b-e-r the t-i-m-e…."

Ron Caron's memory and recall was like nothing I have ever witnessed. Ron would not just recall intricate details of a play that I or others had been involved in but also tell me what I was thinking and how I came up with my decision. Whether I was right or wrong, 'Prof' wasn't afraid to tell me in either case!

Ron Caron broke down details and analyzed all aspects of the game in the most cerebral way. The only other hockey executive whom I met that shared this special talent to this extent was Scotty Bowman. Even at that, Scotty came in second to the 'Prof' in this category.

And Ron was as passionate and knowledgeable about Major League Baseball as he was hockey. If I referenced a year, 'Prof' could state who won the Stanley Cup and also were World Series Champions. It didn't stop there as he would add the actual calendar date the final game was played and provide a play-by-play of the game highlights in each sport. There were many times I thought I was sitting with Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man as 'Prof' rattled off facts and figures with the accuracy of a sports encyclopedia.

Ron Caron was well known for his enthusiasm and passion as General Manager of the St. Louis Blues. 'Prof's' intense passion, if left unchecked, landed him in hot water on occasion through the rivalries that existed in the tough Norris Division during that era of the game. I saw him blow a gasket more than once.
I was the standby referee in old Chicago Stadium for a Stanley Cup game between his Blues and the Blackhawks. I was located with the series supervisor, Hockey Hall of Fame referee Frank Udvari, in the upper press box that hung high above the ice on the side of the ice surface between the blue lines. Ron sat at the end of the lower press in the end zone just above the first tier of seats. From our vantage point, Frank and I had a clear view into the lower press box.

The energy and emotion in the Chicago Stadium for these matches were taken to a level that is impossible to describe unless you were part of it. You didn't just hear it, you physically felt the energy.

When you thought the decibel level of the old Barton pipe organ which combined with Wayne Messmer's powerful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner couldn't possibly go any higher the 21,000-plus fans cheers to took it to another level causing the upper press box to shake noticeably. You couldn't help but get caught up in the emotion whether as a participant, spectator or even as a team executive/general manager.

This particular night the 'Prof' thought he was getting the short end of the whistle on the referee's calls. On one that he didn't agree on, Frank Udvari and I watched as Ron Caron grabbed his head in frustration, jumped up and threw his folding chair against the wall nearest him.

Still fuming from this incident, it wasn't much later that another call didn't go in the Blues direction. Instead of throwing the chair this time, Ron Caron jumped up from his seat and sprinted full length of the lower press box; a distance of some 80 feet.

On the dead run 'Prof' raised his leg and jammed his heal against the wall as hard as he could. The look of anger on Ron Caron's face turned to panic and then helplessness when he quickly realized his foot had broken through the drywall on impact and he found himself stuck in the wall past his knee! Two attendants had to grab his arms and pull the general manager of the St. Louis Blues out of the press box wall.

Following this episode the 'Prof' remained calm for the balance of the game and paid to have Mr. Wirtz' wall repaired.

Ron Caron was a character that the game has missed for many years following his elevation to upper management and eventual retirement. What Ron Caron will be most remembered for is his uncanny judge of hockey talent in assembling a winning team.

Through his passing, Ron Caron will be deeply missed by his family and many friends and admirers that he touched throughout his life. I, for one, feel tremendously blessed to have known this special man and that we were able to call one another, "my f-r-i-e-n-d!"

May God bless you, my friend for all the good that did and the kindness you showed to others. You not only made the game of hockey better for you vast contributions, you made the world a better place.

Oh how, "I r-e-m-e-m-b-e-r the t-i-m-e-s…"