Hockey star, horse owner Bob Probert dies

Former professional hockey star Bob Probert, who previously owned a few Standardbreds including Mr. G, a star on the Ontario Sire Stakes circuit in 1994, died Monday afternoon after suffering chest pains and collapsing while boating on Lake St. Clair with his wife, children and in-laws. He was 45.

A native of Windsor and a son of a police officer, Mr. Probert played in the NHL for 15 years, the first eight with the Detroit Red Wings and the last seven with the Chicago Blackhawks. While playing in Detroit, he was a frequent visitor to both Hazel Park Raceway and Northville Downs, often joining teammate Paul Ysebaert, who he shared ownership of Mr. G with along with trainer Bob McIntosh. In 1994, Mr. G earned more than $218,000 on the racetrack while winning several Ontario Sire Stakes events.

According to reports, Mr. Probert was first stricken around 2 p.m. on Monday while on the boat. His father-in-law, who is a police officer, performed CPR on Mr. Probert, who was then taken to a local hospital where he died shortly afterward.

Calling him the “most maddening athlete I have ever covered,” Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom also said Mr. Probert “will be remembered for a good heart, a gentle soul, a giant’s body that on skates could do that rarest of combinations, speed, score and wallop.”

Mr. Probert retired from hockey in 2002 after playing in 935 games, scoring 162 goals and notching 221 assists. His 3,300 penalty minutes stand fifth on the all-time NHL list. He worked briefly for the Blackhawks radio team before stepping away from hockey.

In 2008 he had a cameo appearance as a hockey player in the Mike Myers film The Love Guru. In 2009 he participated in the Canadian figure skating reality TV show Battle of the Blades, which paired up male hockey players with female figure skates.

Mr. Probert is survived by his wife and four children. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 9, at the Christian Fellowship Church in Windsor, Ont.

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