Remembering Alan Thicke, Hockey Fanatic

"You're my favorite chick, you're my first draft pick, come on and do the Hockey Sock Rock."

"The Hockey Sock Rock" was a 1979 New York Rangers publicity single sung by Phil Esposito and the Ranger Rockers with a B-side of "Please Forgive My Misconduct Last Night," a Los Angeles Kings ditty by Dionne [Marcel] and the Puck-Tones. It's the kind of silly 1970s novelty song you don't hear much anymore, written and produced by one of Canada's favorite sons, Alan Thicke, who died on Tuesday in Burbank at the age of 69.

Thicke, born Alan Willis Jeffrey in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, was a lifelong hockey fanatic. He had a heart attack and collapsed while playing his beloved sport with son Carter at the Pickwick Gardens rink. Thicke skated a few times a month, and appeared to be okay as he left the ice. Entertainment Tonight interviewed Darin Mathewson, vice president of Pickwick Gardens:

"'Thicke asked his son to take a photo of him as he was being taken to the hospital. 'On his way out he asked his son to take a picture. He goes, 'Ah, take a shot kiddo' and he did and off they went.

He had Carter take a picture of him, and said, 'Make sure you get the rink in the background' as they were taking him out of here,' he added. "When he went by us, he gave us the thumbs up, like, 'I'm doing good guys, I'm good.'"

Thicke is best-known for playing the warm and wise psychiatrist Dr. Jason Seaver, a classic 80s sitcom dad who made things right, on Growing Pains.

Thicke was a jack-of-all-television-trades, a convivial personality who did soap operas, game shows, sitcoms, had his own late night gig, wrote for the great Fernwood Tonight, and even penned the theme songs for Diff'rent Strokes and Facts of Life. You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have…

Perhaps Thicke's greatest public role was as a professional Canadian, a fun-loving guy ready to drop the puck at a moment's notice. Does it get any more Great White North than this photo?

The NHL family is sad to learn of the passing of longtime hockey fan Alan Thicke. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5ADyWRksuf
— NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2016

Or this quote?

Decades ago I played hockey with #AlanThicke and he told me something I never forgot: "Ever hear of passing the fucking puck, asshole?" RIP
— Denis Leary (@denisleary) December 14, 2016

Or this TV bit mocking Rich Eisen's "studly gams" and his Ugly American skating skills?

Or this How I Met Your Mother scene where he helps young Canucks understand how much wood they'll need to keep mall starlet Robin Sparkles's beaver fed? (Thicke got randier with age, Dr. Seaver never would've gone there.)

Nothing could possibly top the awesome "Canadian folklore story" that Wayne Gretzky—the Great One himself—was housesitting for Thicke, taking care of his son, future Blurred Lines song-meister Robin, when he was traded from Edmonton to L.A..

Take another look at Alan Thicke up top, getting funky to "Hockey Sock Rock" in the random, Hartford Whaler-ish No. 14 jersey, alongside Gil "Back in the Day Buck Rogers" Gerard, and the Unknown Comic who always wore a paper bag over his head. Somehow, it all seems so fitting.

R.I.P., Mr. Thicke.

Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it's finest. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time. pic.twitter.com/ZQd2NZMTx4
— Carter Thicke (@CarterThicke) December 14, 2016