“Jumping Johnny” DeFazio passed away Friday. The Shaler native was 80.
DeFazio was a “Studio Wrestling” legend.The program ran Saturdays at 6 p.m. on WIIC-TV (Channel 11) from 1959-74. It took place at the station’s studio in Fineview.
The top star was Bruno Sammartino, the long-time WWWF (now WWE) champ and one of wrestling’s biggest attractions ever. DeFazio was on the next tier of performers along with other mainstays like Domenic DeNucci, Baron Mikel Scicluna and Bobby “Hurricane” Hunt.
DeFazio was also a union official for the United Steelworkers of America and an Allegheny County Councilman.
To read my Triblive.com column on DeFazio’s passing, click HERE.
As far as the Penguins are concerned, left-handed, left-sided defensemen are an endangered species.
Mike Matheson is on long-term injured reserve. Marcus Pettersson and Juuso Riikola left Tuesday’s game against Washington hurt. Right-handed Chad Ruhwedel flipped to the left side to finish the game, but should not be asked to do that moving forward.
It is time for the Penguins to give Pierre-Olivier Joseph a chance?
Joseph, 21, was the big get from Arizona in the Phil Kessel trade. He’s left-handed. His skating and puck movement are both smooth. Joseph worked his way up to top-four minutes last season with the Penguins’ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club. Joseph has talent. He projects as a good fit.