The Capitals’ first-round pick of Anton Gustafsson has given everyone a chance to take a look back at the career of his father, Bengt (or Bengt-Åke as he is better known outside of the NHL). Dan Steinberg spent some time digging through the Post archives and unearthed a few gems.
Here are a few samples:
Dec., 1979:“There is much dirty stuff,” said Washington rookie Bengt Gustafsson. “I guess they think if they hit me one time, I won’t come back the next time. “You have to accept it. That’s the way they play here.”
“Take a look at Gussy’s forearms and shoulders and you’ll see where he’s been hit constantly by sticks,” [Washington Coach] Green said. “That’s how too many Canadian players have geared themselves, because of the embarrassment the Swedes have caused them. They can’t catch them, so they lay the lumber on them.”
Jan., 1984: After Bengt Gustafsson scored five goals Sunday night in the Washington Capitals’ 7-1 rout of the Flyers in Philadelphia, he submitted to a television interview, returned to the locker room and tossed his jersey to clubhouse attendant Bob Garner for the laundry pile.
“Do you think we should wash it?” Garner asked.
“I don’t know,” Gustafsson replied….
Dec. 1988: Once on a radio call-in show [Gustafsson] was asked about the mauling Swedes take in the NHL and described it matter-of-factly with a four-letter word that shocked some listeners.
Shortly after Gustafsson arrived here, he shocked the Capitals’ coach, Danny Belisle, by stickhandling through the entire Toronto team to put a shot on goal. Belisle advised Gustafsson that if he persisted in showing up rival players, they no doubt would chop him down in retaliation.
Still, it is hard for Gustafsson, with his powerful arms, remarkable reflexes and strong skating, not to make opponents look silly. In practice, he is so adept at playing keepaway that teammates frequently fall in frustration. He often does it in games, too, and sometimes finds a stick headed his way in response.
“Gus can fake out three guys while he’s standing still,” [Dave] Christian has said of his favorite linemate. “
Check out the rest from the Post archives at Dan’s D.C. Sports Bog.
7 Comments
Could you imagine what Gus could have done in today’s NHL?
Gusty’s nickname back when he was played was “Magic” because of the way he could hold on to the puck in traffic. And he was surprisingly strong. Ryan Walter once called him “chicken tough” in that he looked like he was skin and bones, but underneath was all muscle. He was always my favorite Cap, but I often felt he was too laid back, almost as if he was afraid to really play to his potential because then he’d be held to that standard. Still, his innate hockey skill was a thing to behold. Let’s hope Anton has inherited some of it.
I foresee a blogger’s name change in the not too distant future.
@Gus– Just change it to Bengt or Gus. This way you still hold onto it in some way
Bengt-Ake William Bad Ass Gustafsson.
I like plain ol’ Gus — or you could just buck the superhero code and reveal your true identity to the world…
Does any one else remember when Bengt beat the stuffing out of Stan Jonathan, the Fireplug?
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