Do You Know Jesus?

Born: Calgary, Alberta – December 7, 1947

NHL Centre:

Career Highlights:

• Set an NHL record playing 914 consecutive regular season games (Feb. 24/68 through Dec. 21/79, with Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Flames. (Record since surpased by Doug Jarvis in 964 games)
• Unger also played with Los Angeles Kings (1980 and Edmonton Oilers (1980-83).
• Unger retired after 1,105 NHL games, having scored 413 goals, 391 assists and 804 points together with 1,075 penalties.
• The 1967-68 season saw Unger play for London Nationals of the OHA (2 games), Tulsa Oilers, CHL (9), Rochester Americans, AHL (5), Toronto Maple Leafs (15) before being traded to Detroit Red Wings (13).
• Played in seven consecutive NHL All-Star Games from 1972 through 1978.

Personal Highlights:

• Unger’s father, a member of the Canadian Army, build a rink in the backyard of the family’s Edmonton home and Garry’s first pair of skates were girl’s figure skates, which he painted black and taiughet himself how to skate.
• A free spirit, Unger dated Miss America in 1970 and one off-season was known to have driven cross country in his convertible keeping the top down even when it rained claiming “it gave me a sense of accomplishment.
• Fortunate to have enjoyed a lengthy and productive NHL career, Unger credits his youngest sister, who was “heavily involved in the church” and suffering from polio, for inspiring him to achieve the “Iron Man” title he earned while playing 914 consecutive NHL games. “Back then it was difficult for me to complain about a sore ankle or leg when I knew that in two weeks it was going to be fine, yet my sister, was never going to be able to walk again.” It was difficult for him to understand how someone with such a severe affliction “could be so peaceful and happy with her life despite the fact that she couldn’t walk.”

Most Memorable Quote:

“When we meet God face to face, He won’t care how many goals we’ve scored or how many golf games we’ve won. Instead, He’s going to ask you; ‘What did you do about Jesus Christ, did you accept or reject him?’ And I only know it for one reason, it happened to me and it changed my life.”