Local Hockey Legend to Lead Gratiot Cruise as Grand Marshal

Leading this year’s ninth annual Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise as Grand Marshal is local hockey legend, John Burnosky.

Burnosky, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, has lived, breathed and loved the sport of hockey since his youth in Winnipeg, Canada.

From a short stint on the city league, Burnosky came to the U.S. in 1933 for a tryout with the Red Wings. His size kept him out of the majors, but he would spend 10 years on the farm team, playing at Olympia on Monday nights for $5 a game, plus traveling expenses.

Burnosky claims to have even skated with hockey greats Gordie Howe and Terry Sawchuk.

Although Burnosky never made it to the official Red Wings team, he maintained a career on the ice until 2009, during which time he earned the title of “Most Durable Ice Hockey Player” in the Guinness Book of World Records, and helped his age 40- to 60-plus hockey team to silver and gold medals at the 2002 and 2004 Senior Olympic Hockey Championships, respectively.

“Mr. B,” as he is known to friends and fans in Clinton Township, continues his passion for the game at his son’s business, Bruno’s Dive and Hockey Shop on Gratiot, where he sharpens about 200 skates a week during hockey season.

This past season, he sharpened blades for Tim Thomas, Stanley Cup winner and goalie for the Boston Bruins.

The patriarch of four generations of hockey players, Burnosky is the father of five, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of eight.

Mr. B will ride in the Gratiot Cruise parade as Grand Marshal at noon on Aug. 7. The cruise will take place from noon to 6 p.m.

The Real Mr. B

• Nicknamed "Rabbit" by his Red Wings' farm teammates for his speed on the ice.
• Married his wife Lenoa (Lee) in 1935.
• One of his Detroit-area homes was demolished to make way for the I-94 expressway.
• He built an ice rink every winter in the backyard of his home on Balfour so he could pass on his hockey skills to his children and their friends.
• At one of his recent birthday parties it took three firemen to blow out his 100 candles.