Detroit Red Wings
Dream of Iconic Red Wings Tough Guy Probert Comes to Fruition
Cardiac Wellness Unit Named For Legendary Red Wings Enforcer
Bob Probert gained iconic status as the toughest customer in the NHL during his days as the enforcer for the Detroit Red Wings. As much as he loved playing hockey and took pride in offering protection to his teammates, there was another passion in Probert’s life that never subsided.
He loved to ride his motorcycle.
Probert was able to combine his celebrity status as an NHLer with his thrill of riding a hog to aid a cause that was near and dear to his heart. The Bob Probert Ride, a charity motorcycle event, would raise $1.2 million over 10 years to fund a cardiac wellness unit for his hometown of Windsor, Ontario, directly across the border from Detroit.
New Tecumseh health campus honours Bob Probert’s legacy https://t.co/4usx5FWpmG
— CTV Windsor (@CTVWindsor) June 6, 2025
This week, his dream became a reality. The Bob Probert Tecumseh Campus for Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s rehabilitative care held its grand opening. Official ceremonies took place on Thursday, which would have been Probert’s 60th birthday. He died of a heart attack on his birthday in 2010 while out on a boat ride with his family.
The unit offers cardiac wellness, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and the geriatric assessment program. It’s been in operation since March. Already, the Bob Probert Cardiac Wellness Unit has seen more than 700 visits involving 84 different patients.
"He was a rugged hockey player and an unselfish teammate who was willing to do anything for his team." ~Steve Yzerman
Happy Birthday to the one and only Big Bob Probert! pic.twitter.com/GpUl9XrLzJ
— TheMittenState (@themittenstate) June 5, 2025
“The Bob Probert Tecumseh Campus brings the high-quality care that HDGH is known for closer to home for residents of Tecumseh and Lakeshore, offering Cardiac Wellness, Outpatient Rehab, Speech-Language, and Geriatric Assessment Programs,” Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare noted on its Facebook site.
Fittingly, at the entrance to the Bob Probert Cardiac Wellness Unit, you’re greeted by a photo of a smiling Probert seated on his motorcycle.
Probert An All-Star NHLer
Probert played for the Red Wings from 1984-94. He led the NHL with a club-record 398 penalty minutes in 1987-88. But he also netted 19 goals that season, along with 20 points during the playoffs. Probert was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game that season.
“Had had good hands and was a smart hockey player,” said Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. He was Probert’s teammate and linemate during that 1987-88 season. “He knew where to go on the ice.
“As a figher Probie always carried himself with class. He never went after anybody. I don’t ever remember him jumping a guy.”
