Guess Who I Met at Last Nights Game?

[Hank 0]

A guy I work with got free tickets to the Wings game last night - and in a suite.

So I took a buddy of mine who's a big Oilers fan and off to the Joe we go.

I've been in a suite before so we take the elevator to floor 4 where all of them reside. However, when we get to the floor, all of the suite's are numbered while my ticket shows "Suite E".

We ask an employee and they said "You should be on floor 3. Suite E is a Super Suite".

So we take the elevator to floor 3 where we're ushered into Mike and Marion Illitch's private suite. There's a full bar, a buffet with lobster tail, fillet Mignon, shrimp, salad bar and other unbelievable food.

After a couple of drinks and something to eat, who walks in? Ken Holland! He stops by and talks to me and my buddy for about 10 minutes. We talk hockey and what he does in a day as a GM, etc. It was really cool.

Soon after he leaves our table, who's next to walk over? STEVE YZERMAN! It was hilarious that he introduced himself "Hey guys, I'm Steve". So humble.

He talked hockey with us too for about 10 minutes. We talked about his role as GM of Team Canada, how much traveling he does, how much time he has at home these days (compared to his playing days), etc.

What was really cool was how he was telling us stuff about the Olympics that you would never think he'd repeat to a couple of zilches like us at a Wings game.

Anyway, my friend and I came away extremely impressed with both Yzerman and Holland. Not just because they were gracious and accommodating, but because they actually talked to us like they gave a crap. I've met some athletes or celebrities before, but usually they're looking right through you just waiting to end the conversation and move on. But both Steve and Kenny talked to us like any of our friends would when discussing hockey or just shooting the poop.

We both said it would have been nice to get an autograph or picture (even though we didn't have a camera or anything to sign), but we both agreed it seemed much cooler to have an actual conversation with them instead of getting something quickly signed and nothing else.

We also talked with Marian Illitch for a while. She was really nice and looked far younger than her age. Mike Illitch also walked around and mingled for a bit, but spent most of the time in his private section of the suite. I don't blame him. He probably has to do this a lot and to be honest, if I was an owner I'd be just as interested in watching the game too.

The suite itself was really nice with a big bay-type window to watch the game with bar stools in front. All of the seats were taken so we walked to another suite seating area across from the main one. My buddy and I had the whole thing to ourselves. It was the coolest to be sitting in this suite, having a drink and soaking in the game.

The day I married my wife and witnessed the birth of my two sons are the three greatest and most important days of my life.

But last night was the coolest I've ever experienced.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Hank

[b.shanafan14 733]

Awesome story Hank, though now I feel something growing in the back of my mind..... oh! nevermind, its just a jealous fit, carry on!

[Reds4Life 51]

wow that's awesome story! Lucky you! I am so jealous

[finalfilppula 2]

what did stevie tell you about the olympics?

[Hank 0]

what did stevie tell you about the olympics?

Basically how he felt it would be a mistake for the NHL to stop sending pro's to the tournament and some of the politics that are behind that.

[edicius 3,269]

I think my favorite part of that was how Yzerman introduced himself.

"Hey guys, I'm Steve."

That's just...wow. He's essentially Detroit royalty, but humble as hell. I love it.

[Hank 0]

I think my favorite part of that was how Yzerman introduced himself.

"Hey guys, I'm Steve."

That's just...wow. He's essentially Detroit royalty, but humble as hell. I love it.

I know. I'm not sure I have the vernacular to describe this properly, but he really held himself well in this regard. Not once did you get the impression that he felt he was awesome or should be treated differently from anyone else.

Both he and Holland seemed very down to earth. I can only imagine how many times they have to do meet-and-greets and mingle with people they don't know and yet they were both incredibly friendly and gracious.

Marian Illitch was like this too. She sat and talked with a lot of people in the suite like they were old friends.

Everyone involved with the suite was extremely accommodating as well.

And the plethora of photo's on the walls were awesome too. There were a few of Jeff Daniels with the Illitch's, a photo of Anna Kornikova and of course all the regular action shots of past glory.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime event and something I hope I never forget.

[puckloo39 5,686]

"hey, guys, I'm Steve." Wow. What a great story, and how wonderful for you, Hank! I am so happy for you, I almost forgot to be jealous for a minute.

Just kidding, that is fantastic! I am so glad you got to meet Stevie. Awesome story, thanks for sharing!

[Hank 0]

EDIT - Was the combined graciousness of Yzerman/Holland enough to assimilate your friend into the 'RED WING BORG', and forget his Oiler allegiance?

LOL. Actually it was. For that one night he was a Wings fan. He's a huge Oiler/Gretzky fan but even he said he was in awe of meeting Yzerman.

"hey, guys, I'm Steve." Wow. What a great story, and how wonderful for you, Hank! I am so happy for you, I almost forgot to be jealous for a minute.

Just kidding, that is fantastic! I am so glad you got to meet Stevie. Awesome story, thanks for sharing!

Thanks! I had to share it here because I know so many members would have been thrilled to experience it as well.

Yzerman was always my hockey hero growing up so I've always wanted to meet him some day. It's a thrill to say that I had the opportunity to not only meet him but to actually talk hockey with him - even if it was for only 10 minutes. The experience was made even greater when we discovered what a nice and gracious person he was.

And I really can't say anything more about Holland either. You could tell that he loves his job (which I asked him about) and would talk hockey for hours if he had the time.

I've always read that hockey players are the nicest athletes around and from what I experienced last night, the reputation is well earned.

[The Secret 304]

Hank, I am jealous you bastard! Hahaha, that is truely a fantastic story and thanks for sharing that. Like all of us I have been an adoring fan of Yzerman for the way he played the game and for the way he conducted himself off the ice as well. I always wondered if he was as cool a human being as he portrays himself and to get actual confirmation just adds to his legend imho. "Hey guys, I'm Steve!" Come on. Another testament to how supremely lucky we all are to have Yzerman as part of our organization. To me Yzerman is the shining symbol of what it means to be a Red Wing! I also truly believe that this team is what it is due to having the best ownership in the NHL. Thanks again and next time to are given these tickets I get dibs, forget the Oiler fan! I will find my way from Montreal to Windsor in record time.

[ShanahanMan 473]

A guy I work with got free tickets to the Wings game last night - and in a suite.

So I took a buddy of mine who's a big Oilers fan and off to the Joe we go.

I've been in a suite before so we take the elevator to floor 4 where all of them reside. However, when we get to the floor, all of the suite's are numbered while my ticket shows "Suite E".

We ask an employee and they said "You should be on floor 3. Suite E is a Super Suite".

So we take the elevator to floor 3 where we're ushered into Mike and Marion Illitch's private suite. There's a full bar, a buffet with lobster tail, fillet Mignon, shrimp, salad bar and other unbelievable food.

After a couple of drinks and something to eat, who walks in? Ken Holland! He stops by and talks to me and my buddy for about 10 minutes. We talk hockey and what he does in a day as a GM, etc. It was really cool.

Soon after he leaves our table, who's next to walk over? STEVE YZERMAN! It was hilarious that he introduced himself "Hey guys, I'm Steve". So humble.

He talked hockey with us too for about 10 minutes. We talked about his role as GM of Team Canada, how much traveling he does, how much time he has at home these days (compared to his playing days), etc.

What was really cool was how he was telling us stuff about the Olympics that you would never think he'd repeat to a couple of zilches like us at a Wings game.

Anyway, my friend and I came away extremely impressed with both Yzerman and Holland. Not just because they were gracious and accommodating, but because they actually talked to us like they gave a crap. I've met some athletes or celebrities before, but usually they're looking right through you just waiting to end the conversation and move on. But both Steve and Kenny talked to us like any of our friends would when discussing hockey or just shooting the poop.

We both said it would have been nice to get an autograph or picture (even though we didn't have a camera or anything to sign), but we both agreed it seemed much cooler to have an actual conversation with them instead of getting something quickly signed and nothing else.

We also talked with Marian Illitch for a while. She was really nice and looked far younger than her age. Mike Illitch also walked around and mingled for a bit, but spent most of the time in his private section of the suite. I don't blame him. He probably has to do this a lot and to be honest, if I was an owner I'd be just as interested in watching the game too.

The suite itself was really nice with a big bay-type window to watch the game with bar stools in front. All of the seats were taken so we walked to another suite seating area across from the main one. My buddy and I had the whole thing to ourselves. It was the coolest to be sitting in this suite, having a drink and soaking in the game.

The day I married my wife and witnessed the birth of my two sons are the three greatest and most important days of my life.

But last night was the coolest I've ever experienced.

Wow.......that is one awesome story. How the heck did you friend get tickets with that kind of access?? Must know someone close in the organization I take it. Ride on.

[Hank 0]

Wow.......that is one awesome story. How the heck did you friend get tickets with that kind of access?? Must know someone close in the organization I take it. Ride on.

I got the impression that it's a suite you can rent out at certain times of the year.

That night, it was the Motor City Casino who sponsored the evening. I'm pretty sure everyone was invited last night has dropped a bunch of money there and probably has 'diamond' status or something.

My coworker said he goes there often, so he must have been rewarded with these tickets.

He really doesn't like hockey so it would have been a wasted night for him. I'm lucky that he didn't.

I'm tempted to find out how available that suite is. I can only guess at how much it would cost or what kind of standing, as a company, you need to possess to get in there.

[Echolalia 2,961]

So you gonna hook me up for the next home game?

[Hank 0]

So you gonna hook me up for the next home game?

Hahaha! Something tells me my wife will be getting first crack.

I asked her to go first, but she thought that my buddy, who's a big Oilers fan, should get a chance to go.

But this was when we all thought it was a regular suite.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

That's just incredible.

As for Yzerman....its amazing how much even better the tradition of Detroit is because of him.

[wingfan1991 221]

i got chills reading that.. damn youre so lucky!

[Zion 93]

Simply awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Aww Stevie!! That's so amazing and awesome for you.

[Hitchhiker 9]

Sounds like a fun night!

Out of curiosity, how did your friend that you work with come a crossed the tickets? The tickets sound like an auction win or a prize of some sort.

[Yzermania 156]

I think my favorite part of that was how Yzerman introduced himself.

"Hey guys, I'm Steve."

That's just...wow. He's essentially Detroit royalty, but humble as hell. I love it.

f*** that, he's Hockey royalty in general.

[Esquire 324]

I would have barfed all over Stevie as soon as he introduced himself and then promptly fainted. You have incredible self-control.

[hokeychik22 17]

I BET THE GUY YOU WORK WITH WISHES HE WENT TO THE GAME.

[FGisGood 0]

Well, you are one lucky bastard.....and that was a class act from The Ilitch to let you and your friend in.

[Opie 308]

Hank,

Got to say I am impressed with how you and your friend handled yourself. By not harassing people for autographs you probably earned some respect from Steve. I am sure he is hounded by autograph seekers all of the time. To be able to talk hockey, which obviously he loves, with some fans and not have them acting like 13 year old girls meeting Justin Timberlake!

[The Mule 0]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.