Guess Who I Met at Last Nights Game?

[Hank 0]

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

LOL. I always thought I'd act the same way.

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

Not at all. He's not originally from the US so hockey isn't his thing. He didn't seem to care at all and actually took more joy in the fact of how geeked I was in the whole thing.

Someone asked how he got these tickets. The evening was sponsored by the Motor City Casino. Since he was a high roller there, they gave him and 12 other people passes to the suite.

So if you're into gambling and have lots of money, start blowing it there. You could be in Illitch's private suite before you know it!

[Spinner 6]

I thought you were going to say you met kid rock or something last night...but now I'm really jealous. What an honor! Thanks for sharing.

[wingsgirl001 983]

... WOW.

"Hey guys, I'm Steve" Guh. I love how humble he is. I'd probably have fainted if I saw him walk into the room.

That's just awesome. I'm so jealous of you right now. Must have been an amazing night.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

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!

That's exactly how I would have acted if I met Steve Yzerman. I would have bowed down to him because I'm not worthy of looking him in the eye when speaking to him.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

[Hank 0]

That's exactly how I would have acted if I met Steve Yzerman. I would have bowed down to him because I'm not worthy of looking him in the eye when speaking to him.

Hahaha. I always envisioned myself acting like that too.

And believe me when I say that when I first saw him in the room, I was speechless and nervous.

But the nervousness came from wondering how I could approach him to say 'hello' and worrying that I would be bothering him. But I didn't want to see him and not at least say 'hi'. I would have been upset at myself if that would have occurred. But then he came over and approached us in such an easy going way that it was very easy to talk to him.

Even writing this I think I sound like a weenie. He's just another guy, I know. But I guess actually meeting him brought back the kid in me.

I hope everyone here gets to meet their hockey (or celebrity) hero at some point in their life. It's something I'll never forget.

Even my Oilers buddy has been emailing me all day going on and on about what an awesome experience it was. But he now says he can no longer sit in a regular seat. It's a suite or nothing. Hahaha.

[Sperber 0]

your story is the new definition of "awesome"!

and i bet i would've fainted too!

[Doc Holiday 0]

Mike was probably downing booze in the other suite.

But I hate you for being able to have a normal conversation with two idols of the Detroit Red Wings.

[Hank 0]

Mike was probably downing booze in the other suite.

But I hate you for being able to have a normal conversation with two idols of the Detroit Red Wings.

LOL. Your hate will keep me warm at night.

I've said it too much already in this thread, but I have to say it again. That's what was so awesome about the experience. It wasn't a typical 'stand in line and wait for autograph' thing. I actually got to have a relaxed conversation about hockey with one of the greatest players of all time, and the best GM in the league.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Ah! I'm soo jealous, and that's so awesome! Steve approached you?!? What a guy. I would be able to rest in peace if I met him.

[dallas27 7]

Nice. I love how he said just his first name and not his whole name. As someone else stated you earned some respect by not saying "omgz do u kno who u r!!?!!!?!?!? Can i git ur autograf!?!?!?!?" Billups, Guillen, Dino and a few others have rolled through my work and the key is just talking to them. They are more than happy to talk to you if you treat them like a person. Granted they are no Steve Yzerman and Mr. Holland.

[HkyTwn 5]

Wow, that's so awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[Ruys92 0]

Great story! You're a pretty lucky guy if I might add.

I met Stevie once and it was a similar type impression. He is really a down to earth guy. There was a ticket discrepency to one game I went to with my sister and girlfriend. They brought us downstairs into this seperate ticket office. Out of nowhere the door opened and he walked in casually. I kind of looked at him in awe and let out a "Steve Yzerman?" He calmly asserted "Yeah." Then has asked us how we were doing and I shook his hand but he seemed kind of busy so I didn't hold him at all. Extremely jelous that you got the luxury of having a conversation with him.

As for the suite, when I went on the tour (which I highly reccommend all of you do) they took us to the third floor with the super suites. The one on the right is Illitch's and the one on the left I'm assuming is the one you guys had. I never would have thought people who rented the super suite would receive an invitation into Illitch's. Also never thought it would come with a meeting with Stevie Y and and Mr.Holland. That's just awesome man. As for prices and availability. The tour guide said that Illitch sometimes keeps it for himself when he has lots of guests visiting. Also, due to your eperience I'm sure major companies buy them out every so often as well. I believe the price mentioned however was in the $2500 range. However, if you can get a group of friends, can't remember what the limit was, this isn't so high of a price for a once in a lifetime deal.

I'm not sure if what Hank experienced is an everday deal for the people who do rent out these boxes but I've sat in a luxury suite before and I can tell you, the overall feeling of being VIP is worth the ticket price itself.

Congratulations on the experience, Hank! This whole board including myself are all extremely jelous I'm sure.

[Doggy 130]

Lol. "Hi guys, I'm Steve."

"Uhhh, Steve who?".

I'm so envious. Great story Hank, you must still be over the moon.

[bellarina 1]

WOW!!!!!

You lucky bastard!!!

Man that is just totally amazing, Iam totally jealous.

I've always wanted to meet Stevie.

Congrats!

[Offsides 21]

Amazing story! Glad you had such an unforgettable night

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

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.

So, is the guy you work with not a hockey fan? Or did he not know these were going to be in the shangri la room? All I can say is wow! I do have to agree though, that being able to just talk to Kenny and Stevie like human beings is far cooler than trying to go through the awkward moment of getting a picture or an autograph, even though a pic would be good proof that it actually happened. Not that I am doubting, just very jealous.

[redwing_sparty 0]

that is super cool! every letsgowinger's dream!

[Matt 1,049]

/dies

[Guest Crymson]

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 imagine he's happier being just a person rather than lording himself above the proletariat.

[redhot 0]

Congratulation Hank!

I was giddy for several days after meeting Ken and Mickey at the press box.

So what did you talk about? Did you grill Ken/Stevie for signing Hank/Mule/Hossa? Defense picking up their games? Get Helm/Leino back? Trade someone?

[thedisappearer 291]

That is, like, the greatest thing that has ever happened.

Ever.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

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.

After reading this, can I have YOUR autograph?

[Vladiator 116]

Dude, so jealous, but an awesome story. Not too many Wings fans get to meet Steve, Holland, and the ownership in one day. Thanks for telling it. Serendipity does exist.

[wingnut22 81]

I am so jealous! that had to be such an amazing time! I have met a few wings, but all at signings or after games. so I havent had the chance to talk to them. That had to be so fantastic!