Alan Thicke and his ties to the Lightning

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
December 13, 2016

Actor Alan Thicke passed away on Tuesday at the age of 69.

Thicke, best known for his role in the long-time television sitcom Growing Pains, died of a heart attack while playing pickup hockey with his son in California. A noted hockey fan who forged a relationship with Wayne Gretzky and helped write the song “Hockey-Sock Rock” in 1979 that helped raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research, was often spotted at Los Angeles Kings games.

But Thicke also has ties to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Thicke also got to know Phil Esposito during the Hall of Famer’s time with the New York Rangers, which included making the video for “Hockey-Sock Rock” that features Esposito on lead vocals with Gil Gerard and Thicke offering background vocals (and dance moves).

Hockey-Sock Rock

It was through that connection that Esposito reached out to Thicke when it was time for the Lightning to begin play in 1992-93. So Esposito invited Thicke to serve as the master of ceremonies for the inaugural game in franchise history on Oct. 7, 1992, at Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

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So Thicke, a hockey fan and a well-known actor still riding the success of Growing Pains, helped to usher in the birth of the NHL franchise, which went on to win that first game, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks, 7-4.

Tampa Bay Lightning inagural game highlights

But that was not the end of Thicke’s connection with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For the 2016 playoffs, Thicke, who also lists songwriting to his credits and is the father of R&B star Robin Thicke, wrote a song to support the Lightning on their postseason run that ended in a Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference finals.

Tampa Bay Lightning 2016 Playoff song

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