PORTLAND – The Pirates fan approached, camera in hand. I thought he wanted to snap the Portland hockey legend standing next to me.

Wrong. The fan wanted to show me the photo he took of Dennis McCauley scoring Portland’s fourth goal Thursday night. “You won’t see any better,” said the man before walking away.

Frank Bathe grinned. So the fan didn’t know who he was. So what.

“I get recognized all the time. The old security guard says hi to me.”

Thirty-some years ago it seemed everyone in Portland, hockey fan or not, wanted to shake Bathe’s hand, get a picture taken with him or buy him a drink.

No more. He played defense for the Maine Mariners and the Philadelphia Flyers. With his height, shaggy red hair and Viking beard, he was a sight. With a hockey stick in his hand and that wicked gleam in his eye, he was dangerous.

He moved up to the Flyers for four full seasons just after the heyday of the Broad Street Bullies.

Now he’s a 57-year-old businessman, a family man. He came to the Cumberland County Civic Center because he’s a fan of Pirates Coach Kevin Dineen.

“He’s the real deal, you know? Great coach. He gets his guys to play. I love this team.”

A 2-0 Pirates lead became a 4-1 game while we talked in a corner of the arena.

“They’re stronger than when I played. The speed is faster. It’s a different game.”

Maybe in style, but hockey in 2011 is still the same, physical game that can drain everything a player has. “I played up until last year. Bad shoulder. I had to stop.”

A bad back forced him out of the NHL in 1984. But instead of putting down roots in Philadelphia, the kid from Ontario returned to Portland. “Good town, know what I mean.”

He was never loquacious. He hasn’t needed the hip or knee replacements that have bedeviled other NHL players from that era. He still has a full head of red hair that’s touched with white. A few wrinkles around the eyes. You couldn’t guess his age.

“This is my 12th game (this season). I came tonight because it’s the playoffs. I love Kevin’s coaching and my kid’s on the ice. Did you know that?”

Of course. Landon Bathe is in his fourth season as an AHL linesmen. He made his way into pro hockey as a player but didn’t quite have his father’s talent. In his way, he’s determined to make it to the NHL, too.

“The kid works hard. Know what I mean?”

Landon Bathe has worked dozens of games on this ice. That his father worked in this building to the cheers of fans isn’t forgotten. “I always wanted to skate here,” said Landon after the Pirates won, 5-4. This is the next best thing to playing. I run into coaches who remember my father, and that helps.”

Meaning, Landon Bathe doesn’t just know the game from the rule book. He knows the life. His family knows the life. His older brother, Lincoln Libby, was a goalie who was once called upon to be the Springfield back-up in this arena many years ago.

Younger sister Carlyn works with the Los Angeles Kings in promotions. “She’s an Ice Girl,” said Frank Bathe, letting a grin escape again. “She’s on the ice.”

Another of Bathe’s sons, Jordan, was an all-state hockey player at Scarborough this winter. He’ll return for his senior year.

Frank Bathe never wanted to go into coaching. “I don’t have the temperament. I’m not into details. You’ve got to be prepared to coach this game, and I’m not. That’s why Kevin is so successful.”

More Pirates fans walked by without giving Bathe a glance. The Maine Mariners are a long, long time ago. Bathe was the Kevin Kaminski and Dustin Penner and Shane O’Brien of his time. Or Mark Mancari, a Bathe favorite.

Bathe turned to walk away. He had missed too much of the game.

Staff Writer Steve Solloway can be contacted at 791-6412 or at:

ssolloway@pressherald.com

 

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