Jets' Long Thrives on Ice Time no byline The Hockey News December 29, 1978
They call him the "Marathon Man" and seldom has a nickname fit so well.
Barry Long would play 45-50 minutes a game if asked to and if injury problems beset the Winnipeg Jets, Long is often the first man coach Larry Hillman looks to.
"There's no place that I couldn't put him," says Hillman of his hard-working defenseman. "He plays the power play, kills penalties, and the way he blocks shots I wouldn't be afraid to play him in goal — if I needed a goalie."
Long was a World Hockey Association All Star in 1975, a rejected unwanted Edmonton Oiler in 1976 and a reborn professional with Winnipeg in 1977.
Gone, seeming forever, is the tremendously hard slapshot that accounted for 20 goals in 1974-75 and made him one of the WHA's best power-play point men.
Also missing, at least in the minds of some fans, is the aggressiveness that should come, apparently naturally, from a man who stands six-foot-two and weighs 210 pounds. But never lacking in the hustle, the unselfish determination and the awkwardness that has become his trademark. Edmonton coach Glen Sather says Long looks like he's going to fall down with his skating style, "but he always seems to make the right play."
"Actually he's well co-ordinated for a man his size," says Hillman. "Don't forget he's taller and heavier than most. Sure he darts and flops here and there but that's his style."
That syle was never more effective than in last spring's playoffs when Long dared and flopped so often it at times appeared he was the only Jet behind their own blueline. But never was a defenseman so effective and dominant. He blocked an average of six shots per game in the playoffs — the average defememan blocks two to four — he cleaned up in front of his net, and most important, he led by his actions.
He was a leader and the Jets followed his example ... all the way to the Avco Cup. So effective was he in the playoffs, Long emerged with a plus 11 rating, the best of any defenseman. And that's typical of Barry Long ... not spectacular, just effective.