Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Jiri Fischer - one of the nicest, most humble dudes around. Had like a 20 minute conversation with the guy back in 2007 after the Wings beat the Flames here in Calgary. Also met Stevie Y last year but he was on his way to the busses so I didnt have time to talk to him, got his autograph though, was awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MulesWillFly93 199 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Met Jimmy Howard in July! He was super, super nice! Heck, he was more talkative than I was (I'm a bit shy). He's a great ambassador for the Wings organization, and I really appreciate him coming all the way out here just for the fans. I saw Stevie at the Draft this summer, doing his GM thing, but I obviously didn't get to talk to him. I kept looking for him on the way out, but the only person I saw at that point was Crosby, who was being chased by a horde of nutty girls (me not included). I also got to the Stanley Cup and all the other trophies! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMAC 25 18 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Gordie Howe- great person and talked to everyone who came buy during his autograph session McCarty- met him in Grand Rapids during another autograph session, it was a great time and he was very cool to talk to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,960 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I've met a bunch of former Montreal Canadiens a few years back. They were doing this thing going from town to town playing a local hockey team. That was alright. A couple summers ago I've met Michael Ryder, Joe Thornton, Adam Pardy, Teddy Purcell. And to save the best for last, I met Danny Cleary when he brought the Cup back to his hometown back in 2008. That was awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Was checking into my hotel in Vancouver as Fil, Brad May, Lebda, Lidstrom, and Zetterberg were all checking out. Saw Eaves on the way in. I was behind May in line, said good luck to him and I was hoping for a good game that night. He was super nice, shook my hand and called Fil over after he had gotten done checking out to shake my hand. Nick, Z, and Lebda were all a few spots back in line so I didn't get to say anything to them. Honestly the only other time I've been around Lidstrom I had to have a friend get a puck signed by him because I couldn't talk. I've followed Nick since I was like 9 years old and he's been the guy that I've tried to follow in my play the most, so it was like meeting your personal hero. He was nice about the whole thing and even shook my hand despite me not saying a word the whole time. 1 wingnut40 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Andreas Lilja- Total sweetheart!! Met him in '08. He was very polite and accommodating and let me and my friend get 2 pictures with him. David Booth- Again, an absolute sweetheart! I shook his hand and thanked him for scoring a hat trick against the ducks because that was in 09 when we were in the playoffs against them. Got a pic. Kirk Maltby- Total sweetheart...again!! I unwillingly made a fool out of myself and he was chill about it. Love him! Cheli- Met him also in 08. Cheli was Cheli, which was awesome, but little 15 year old me was intimidated for sure!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) Hasek- 4 or 5 times McCarty- twice Osgood- twice Draper- twice Maltby- once Lidstrom- once Chelios- twice Yzerman- once Babcock- twice Holland- twice Hudler- twice Hossa- twice Franzen- once Holmstrom- three times Kronwall- once Lilja- once Selane- once Tkachuk- once Shanahan- twice Bowman- twice Brett Hull- once Bobby Hull- once Vladdy- once Zetterberg- twice Datsyuk- twice Kopecky- once Howard- twice Lang- once Flip- twice Lebda- twice Williams- once Rafalski- twice Helm- once Schneider- twice Mowers- once Devereaux- once Cleary- once Fischer- once I think that's it... and I have to say they were all really nice. Some more so than others but in general they were all willing to accomodate me. The meetings range from a brief as a minute to as long as 30-45 minutes. Edited January 20, 2011 by Booster313 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
achildr1 255 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Jimmy Howard-Last year at 12 Oaks. He was just shopping with his GF. It was right before he started stealing the show. We talked about Ozzie, the Stars, and how cute my baby was. Pretty cool dude Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) Was staying at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto way back when I was like 12 and just happened to be during the NHL Awards time, I think not too sure on that one. But I met Brian Leetch, Cam Neely, and Teddy Nolan in the lobby. All super nice guys, we didn't get autographs because they were keeping close eye on that but they at least acknowledged me and my pops. Also met Terrible Ted at an autograph signing and as most have said, I got a chance to shake Mr. Hockey's hand as well. Just some I can think of offhand. Edited January 20, 2011 by HankthaTank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) My old hockey coach was a financial adviser for a lot of the Wings. One day our team is getting dressed in the lockerroom for practice and Shawn Burr walks in with his hockey gear. I was especially fortunate to play on a line with a winger who rarely showed up to practice, so coach put Burr on my line to do drills and plays and stuff. One of the coolest experiences I have ever had was having Shawn Burr feed me the puck in a practice 3-on-2 for a goal. Also, that guy was ripping wrist shots from the blue line harder than any of my teammates' slap shots (this is midget hockey, btw). My coach also invited Steve Yzerman to our end-of-the-year hockey party. We're all in our coach's basement shooting pool and coach walks down with Stevey Y behind him and is like "Boys, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine." Stevey's all quiet and shy and just goes "Hi, guys." Edited January 20, 2011 by Echolalia 1 wingnut40 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Hasek- 4 or 5 times McCarty- twice Osgood- twice Draper- twice Maltby- once Lidstrom- once Chelios- twice Yzerman- once Babcock- twice Holland- twice Hudler- twice Hossa- twice Franzen- once Holmstrom- three times Kronwall- once Lilja- once Selane- once Tkachuk- once Shanahan- twice Bowman- twice Brett Hull- once Bobby Hull- once Vladdy- once Zetterberg- twice Datsyuk- twice Kopecky- once Howard- twice Lang- once Flip- twice Lebda- twice Williams- once Rafalski- twice Helm- once Schneider- twice Mowers- once Devereaux- once Cleary- once Fischer- once I think that's it... Oh that's it huh? Are you sure? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 My coach also invited Steve Yzerman to our end-of-the-year hockey party. We're all in our coach's basement shooting pool and coach walks down with Stevey Y behind him and is like "Boys, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine." Stevey's all quiet and shy and just goes "Hi, guys." My head would have EXPLODED!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted January 20, 2011 My head would have EXPLODED!!!!! The guy was seriously acting like we were the celebrities. He was so quiet and reserved and kind of stuck by our coach the entire time. We all got an opportunity to get something signed by him and shake his hand and all that jazz. Just the way he behaved you would never guess he was a perennial Hall of Famer, let alone an ice hockey player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GROwl 5 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 I've done some hockey drills with Mike Knuble three times over the past few summers. He was really funny and gave me some pointers. I still suck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 My coach also invited Steve Yzerman to our end-of-the-year hockey party. We're all in our coach's basement shooting pool and coach walks down with Stevey Y behind him and is like "Boys, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine." Stevey's all quiet and shy and just goes "Hi, guys." Who was it on here that said they won a contest one time for him and a few friends to watch a game from the owners box? He said Holland came in and started talking to them. When Stevie came in he actually introduced themselves to them saying, "Hi guys, I'm Steve". 1 wingnut40 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate94gt 134 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) forgot. I meant maltby at a griffs game a few weeks back. Well, i didnt meet him.. I was by the elevators at the entrance and he popped in and waited for the elevator. He said hi to me. So i didnt really meet him, but we exchanged hi's edit: i guess that would add him to the cool section Edited January 21, 2011 by nate94gt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
achildr1 255 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Andy Greene, NJD - A couple years ago I hung out with him at a party. He's from Trenton. Talked about general NHL life, what Brodeur is like, etc. Talked about how Ray Emery acted in the Finals with OTT and what other NHLer's think of him Zach Trotman, BOS draft pick - I wouldnt even bring this up but it a funny story. Seen this kid in Nordstrom's in 12 Oaks. I, very seriously, thought it was Justin Abdelkader. He was pretty tall and had his hair long, curly, and reddish. It was his friggin' twin. I asked him his name and he looked at me like he was going to lie (like it was Abby and he didnt want to be bothered). He instead turned to his GF and told her "I told you". I asked him what he meant and he said he gets that all the time. He said his name is Zack and its funny that he gets it because he plays hockey too, for LSSU. We laughed and I left, me not really believing him, for whatever reason. When I left I googled him on my phone....a kid named Zach that plays for LSSU. Turns out it was Zach Trotman, picture and all, last years Mr. Irrelevant (last player taken in the draft). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
syntax 359 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Bob Boughner Shawn Burr Mathieu Dandenault Dallas Drake Kris Draper Mike Knuble Joe Kocur Viacheslav Kozlov Martin Lapointe Norm Maracle Barry Melrose Wendel Clark Chris Osgood Tim Taylor Aaron Ward Bob Probert Patrick Roy Gordie Howe I lived in upstate NY when I worked for the DOE in the early-mid 90's. Being a hockey fan, we used to go to Adirondack Red Wings games a lot. So I would see a lot of the guys around town or whatever. I was lucky enough to play some pickup games with Chris Osgood a few times too. I suck so I never scored on him. Barry Melrose used to live in the area too, so you would see him, Wendel Clark and Joey around (they're his cousins). Everyone I've met was really cool. Even Roy, whom I met in Montreal on Rue St. Catherine in 92. He was pretty laid back and signed a puck for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,789 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) Hasek- 4 or 5 times McCarty- twice Osgood- twice Draper- twice Maltby- once Lidstrom- once Chelios- twice Yzerman- once Babcock- twice Holland- twice Hudler- twice Hossa- twice Franzen- once Holmstrom- three times Kronwall- once Lilja- once Selane- once Tkachuk- once Shanahan- twice Bowman- twice Brett Hull- once Bobby Hull- once Vladdy- once Zetterberg- twice Datsyuk- twice Kopecky- once Howard- twice Lang- once Flip- twice Lebda- twice Williams- once Rafalski- twice Helm- once Schneider- twice Mowers- once Devereaux- once Cleary- once Fischer- once I think that's it... and I have to say they were all really nice. Some more so than others but in general they were all willing to accomodate me. The meetings range from a brief as a minute to as long as 30-45 minutes. So who have you not met? Also, I hope you're a male poster. Edited January 21, 2011 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Hossa- twice How did you survive 2 meetings with him? I would have died if I met him even once. You are SO lucky!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butch 2 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 I was in D.C. over the weekend and met Bill Clement in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. He seemed nice to talk to, asked where I was from. Told him Michigan and that I was a huge hockey fan. I'm an old fart and told him I used to watch him (on TV) with the Flyers in the Broad Street Bullies days and Atlanta and Calgary. He seemed to appreciate it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 I've met most of the Wings at one point or another over the years. Almost all have been really, really nice, though I've always been respectful. I'm not an autograph hound. Usually it's a situation where we're all at a bar to relax, and that's that to me. Some notables... Yzerman is even nicer than you'd imagine him to be in an ideal world. I've had more than a few encounters with him around the public and not, and he's always just been the nicest, most genuine guy. He definitely comes off as a bit shy, but overall he's just a very gracious, friendly guy. Total class act. Holmstrom is funny as hell when he's drunk. I've never known what he's saying as it's utterly unintelligible, but it's hysterical all the same. Luc Robitaille and his wife were by far some of the nicest celebrity-esque people I've met, and I've met a lot being in the music industry in particular. They were a lot of fun, incredibly down to earth and really generous, friendly people. The only truly negative experience I've ever had with a member of the Wings organization was with Hasek. I met him twice and both times he was an *******. The second time I met him, he was an ******* and he proved himself be a total sleeze ball as well. I truly respect the way he finished with the Wings and I think he was probably the greatest goalie in the game, but off the ice, the guy went above and beyond when it came to being an *******...unless you had big fake boobs and no brains. He LOVED those types...all of them...all at once...thoroughly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canadian wings fan 305 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Roberto Luongo- Super nice guy Joe Thornton- guy was awesome to meet chatted about xbox live and crap, then got an autograph and pic Mattias Ohlund-sort of a dickmunch Mike Santorelli (panthers)- dope guy, local kid The Late Luc Bourdon- me, my buddy and his dad met Luc after the canuck game one night. My buddy had juvenille arthritis and apparently Luc Bourdon had something similar as he was growing up. Luc was super friendly, and extremly shy lol. We all ended up chatting for about an hour at GM place, my buddy dad ended up inviting him over for a family dinner or something lol. He also took pics with all of us! Nick Lidstrom- I was soooo effin nervous to approach Lids, but I saw him after the nucks game (wings had one that one) and asked him for an autograph. He looked at me and said like "Sure just a sec" he was chatting with someone at the time. And I think he sorta ended up just leaving Oh well Lids is still a walking legend. Those are the really ones that really stuck with me and I remember the most. Have also exchanged "hi's" or gotten autographs from various other random Ex and Current NHL-er's: Linden, Steve Shields, Sedin twins, Hudler and can't really remember any more lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheUkrainian 49 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Chelios - He was doing a Meijer signing in Battle Creek. Saw him on his way out after getting stuff signed earlier. Chatted for a few min. Pretty awesome guy. Met Maltby in the store I work at in Grosse Pointe, as well as the Wing's goalie coach...he was picking up a pizza for Howie Met Abs and Helm at the Hockeytown store a while ago. Justin was cool and real down to earth. When I moved over to Helm he said "gimme a few to warm my hands up" and we chatted about school and hockey. He was awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FifeHockeyNut 57 Report post Posted January 21, 2011 I can’t believe I shook that frickin’ guy’s hand after the game. That pisses me right off.... We have the worst brand of hockey over here in the UK so I envy you all and have to get over to Detroit soon! I know! Over the last 15 years I think all the players I've met have had 100 NHL games combined! It really isn't fair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites