By Ophelia Butts
“Cribzie is a very cerebral player, he is always thinking of what the play will be two to three plays ahead and he is always saying some super smart stuff on stage like ’the military salute is a motion that evolved from medieval times, when knights in armour raised their visors to reveal their identity.”Soupy
After 19 years with the Tomcats, standout defenseman, Cribzie, is retiring and calling it a career.
“My years with the Tomcats have been the best 19 years of my life. I have met some incredible people…Sheep Dog, Snowpants, May Day, Chevy…to name a few,” said an emotional Cribzie.
Cribzie was born and raised in Essex, Ontario where he is considered ’the Pride of Essex. He played for the Essex 73’s and was recognized for his incredible hockey acumen. He was drafted by three different teams…Modo of Sweden, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Windsor Tomcats.
Signing a 14 year deal right out of Junior, he has become a perennial Tomcat and Captained the War Pigs in 2014 to a Stanley’s Cup Championship. He was on the Jingle Jets when they won, and most recently in 2023, with the Green Giant Stalkers.
“I recall the War Pigs would come out running from the bench and do a full circle before they started taking their warm ups,” stated Sparky.
Close personal friend and teammate, Sheep Dog: “Cribzie is the dreamiest…once we were away and I had prepared some smoked cheeses and smoked meats and we enjoyed them by the hot tub at the hotel, he is so dreamy.”
Cribzie’s number #23 jersey is the third all time best seller, after number one #6 Crispy jersey, number two, #55 Snowpants jersey. Number four and five you ask? The fourth best selling jersey is the #26 La Bamba jersey, and at fifth all-time, #17 Sunny jersey.
Fans and Teammates will miss #23. The wicked shot from the point, cracking a MGD with him on the stage and just that contentious Cribzie smile.
All the best to you after the Windsor Tomcats Cribzie!!!
One more smart thing from Cribzie
“Soldiers do not march in step when going across bridges because they could cause a vibration which could be sufficient enough to knock the bridge down. And get a load of this….for every extra kilogram carried on a space flight, 530 kg of excess fuel is needed at liftoff. And, oh I will miss Snowpants speeches the most on stage after hockey!”
A small funny to leave you so you are not sad that Cribzie is retiring from the Tomcats:
Thanks for reading, I’m Ophelia Butts.
Windsor Tomcats 