Gene Carr was an ice hockey forward in the NHL who played with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, and he was known for his friendship with Eagles frontman Glenn Frey (1948–2016).
- Died: December 13, 2023 (Who else died on December 13?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 72.
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Gene Carr’s legacy
Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Carr followed in his parents’ footsteps by pursuing hockey. His father, Red Carr, was also a professional hockey player who spent a brief time in the NHL and had an 18-year career in minor league hockey, and his mother, Pauline, was an accomplished speed skater.
Carr spent four seasons playing junior league hockey in Canada before breaking through to the NHL in 1971 with the St. Louis Blues. He spent just a few games with the Blues before moving to the New York Rangers that same year and being seen as a potential future star. His long, blond hair drew attention, but he ultimately ended up going to the Los Angeles Kings in the 1973-’74 season.
There, Carr befriended Eagles frontman Frey, who sometimes wore Carr’s jersey during Eagles concerts. With the Kings, he became known as “the New Kid in Town,” and while it was rumored he inspired the Eagles song of the same name, neither Carr nor any members of the Eagles ever confirmed that.
Carr’s best season came in 1977-’78, when he scored 19 goals and had 37 assists. He finished his professional career in 1979 with the minor league Tulsa Oilers, but by then the physical grind of the game had taken its toll, and he finished his career with 22 games there.
Tributes to Gene Carr
Full obituary: NHL.com
