from Graeme Bruce of the Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune,

NHL great Reggie Leach blames his absence from the Hockey Hall of Fame on his struggles with alcoholism during his decorated career between ’71 and ’83.

Nicknamed “the Riverton Rifle”, the Manitoba-born Métis spoke with Grade 7 and 8 Harry Balfour students Wednesday about his journey through 14 seasons with the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red Wings.

The youngest of 14 children, the 62-year-old began drinking at the age of 12.

“I didn’t realize I was an alcoholic until I was 31 or 32,” he said to the junior high school students. “I performed on ice, and hockey came very easy to me.”

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