Enforcer to be reckoned with: Oilers greats remember Dave Semenko

Ex-Oilers tough guy DaveSemenkohadn't seen a doctor in 15 years before he was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago, former teammate Kevin Lowe said Thursday.

Semenko, best known as WayneGretzky'sbodyguard on the ice, died Thursday morning at 59.

• Ex-Oilers tough guy Dave Semenko dies of cancer at 59
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Semenko's death came as a surprise, Lowe said.

"I'm devastated. I'm shocked this all went down so quick. I'm going to really miss him."

Semenko phoned Lowe's brother Ken Lowe, the Oilers senior coordinator of medical services, three weeks ago to say he hadn't been feeling well for about two weeks, Lowe told reporters at a news conference.

Semenkotold Ken Lowe he hadn't been to a doctor in 15 years "because, I guess, he had been the picture of health," Kevin Lowe said.

"The prognosis was not great, but it felt treatable at the time."

But Semenko's health deteriorated rapidly.

Lowe said Semenko would want the Oilers to use his story as a warning.

"For everybody out there listening, get in and see your doctor," he said. "That would be important to Dave."

Helping the rookies along

Paul Coffey remembered first meeting Semenkoin the summer of 1980. Coffey was a young, fresh-faced first-round draft pick then and, understandably, struggled to fit in.

During training camp in Jasper, Alta., members of the team were at a barwhen Semenkoapproached him.

"He said to me, 'You want to make some friends?' " Coffey recalled. "He says, 'Buy a round!' "

Coffeydid, andsaid he was "devastated" by the bill. "Semenk, like only he can, just looked at me and said, 'Yeah, but look at all the friends you just made!' "

'Unfortunately this wasnt his fight to win'

7 years ago

Duration 0:49

Former Oilers enforcer Dave Semenko has died of cancer at 59. Here, he is remembered by teammate Paul Coffey.

Semenko was beloved by his 80s-era Oiler teammates and he helped Coffeyreach that status quickly too.

"Trust me, everybody wishes they could be here," Coffeysaid, momentarily choking up. "Semenko was a special guy.

"Each and every goal that Semenkscored or fight he won over the years, nobody was happier than everybody on the team."

Coffey said Semenko'spresence alone allowed skilled players like Coffeyand Lowe to shine, while playing the big bruising teams of the 80s.

"It would be safe to say, without overstating anything, that the greatest of all time are up inthe [rafters]in Rogers [Place] ... those greats couldn't have done without the support and aid of DaveSemenko," Lowe said.

"There wasn't a fight [in the NHL] he didn't win,"Coffey said. "Unfortunately, this wasn't his fight to win."

Special guy, special teammate

Lowe said Semenko had never been happier than he had beenover the last year in his new role as the first-ever Oilers ambassador after years ofworking as a scout.

"He was just so happy, happy not traveling, happy with the new building, the team and what he was doing," Lowe said. "He was really looking forward to the coming years."

Semenko also had an incredible wit, often reminding his more talented teammates who they were, not allowing their "heads to get any bigger than they were," Lowe said.

Coffey said that wit remained with him during his final days.

He saw Semenkothe night before he died, kissinghim on the forehead and telling him he loved him.

And though he didn't finish his career in Edmonton, Semenkohas a special place in the hearts of all the Oilers greats.

"He was a special guy, special person, special teammate," Coffey said. "He's always been an Oiler. He'll definitely be missed."

A service celebrating Semenko's life is being planned for next week.

End of an Era: Dave Semenko and Tim Hunter

9 years ago

Duration 0:55

Former Oiler Dave Semenko and ex-Flame Tim Hunter recall dropping the gloves against each other and their enforcing roles as part of the battle of Alberta.