He was born in Big Beaver by the borderline. He started playing hockey by the time he was nine. His dad took the hose and froze the back yard. And Little Buddy dreamed he was Rocket Richard. He grew up big and he grew up tough. He saw himself scoring for the Wings or Canucks. But he wasn't that good with a puck. Buddy's real talent was beating people up. His heart wasn't in it but the crowd ate it up. Through pee-wee's and juniors midgets and mites. He must have racked up more than three hundred fights. A scout from the flames came down from Saskatoon. Said "There's always room on our team for a goon. Son we've always got room for a goon". There were Swedes to the left of him. Russians to the right. A Czech at the blue line looking for a fight. Brains over brawn--that might work for you. But what's a Canadian farm boy to do. What else can a farm boy from Canada to do. But what's a Canadian farm boy to do. What else can a farm boy from Canada to do. Hit somebody! was what the crowd roared. When Buddy the goon came over the boards. "Coach" he'd say "I wanna score goals". The coach said "Buddy remember your role. The fast guys get paid they shoot they score. Protect them Buddy that's what you're here for. Protection is what you're here for. Protection--it's the stars that score. Protection--kick somebody's ass. Protection--don't put the biscuit in the basket just. Hit some Buddy! it rang in his ears. Blood on the ice ran down through the years. The king of the goons with a box for a throne. A thousand stitches and broken bones. He never lost a fight on his icy patrol. But deep inside Buddy only dreamed of a goal. He just wanted one damn goal. There were Swedes at the the blue line. Finns at the red. A Russian with a stick heading straight for his head. Brains over brawn--that might work for you. But what's a Canadian farm boy to do. What else can a farm boy from Canada to do. But what's a Canadian farm boy to do. What else can a farm boy from Canada to do. In his final season on his final night. Buddy and a Finn goon were pegged for a fight. Thirty seconds left the puck took a roll. And suddenly Buddy had a shot on goal. The goalie committed Buddy picked his spot. Twenty years of waiting went into that shot. The fans jumped up the Finn jumped too. And coldcocked Buddy on his follow through. The big man crumbled but he felt all right. 'Cause the last thing he saw. was the flashing red light. He saw that heavenly light. There were Swedes to the left of him. Russians to the right. A Czech at the blue line looking for a fight. Take care of your teeth--that might work for you. But what's a Canadian farm boy to do. What else can a farm boy from Canada to do. But what's a Canadian farm boy to do. What else can a farm boy from Canada to do.