A Letang Krismas story

[Barry Amsterdam]

:Not an original, just enjoy the story

It's very hard to explain to my family and relatives how much HFBoards mean to me. I do have a bit obsession about this community, as prove this post - that I'm writing on a Christmas night, after hours of reading different post about hockey and whatnot.



I have been lurking here for a decade now. I remember coming here after every big event, and not only related to sports, from 9/11 to more joyful events and what not. I discovered my favourite band through the entertainment board - a band, The National, I have now seen 7 different times in three different countries. I've mot some people IRL that I first met here, online, that have become close friends, even. I almost lost a job because of HFboards - and even back, I kept going back. Because I have such a strong bond with this community, it's bigger than me.



So this is why I decided to take a time to share one of my most personnal stories, that I have mostly only told to my first wife and my parents because of how unbelievable it seems - and because honestly, no one except real hockey nerds will truly appreciate.



So here it goes : let's go back to December 23th, in the year of 2004.



I just went undrafted in the 2003 draft. This is where I first heard the name of Kris Letang - a person I couldnt believe would save my life, a few months later.



I went back to my hometown Val D'Or, to meet with my girlfriend which I would end up marry for Christmas. I was driving through one of those exceptionnal snowstorm you would end up telling your kids about. I just had a freak injury, working in the shop, so I was driving my Toyota Camry with a arm in a plaster.



It was a 8 hours road, through snow and hell, with only one functional arm! This was obviously very dangerous, but I was in a hard place in my life and I just really wanted to be with my girlfriend. So I drove until I got lost - and snowed in. I remember it being around 9 pm, only, and thinking it was a matter of time before another car would take the same winding road as me and help me out.



Keep in mind this was early 2000. I didnt even had one of those bad cellphone with bad reception. I was just sitting there, hoping for glowing lights to appear behind me. My mind was running wild - I kept thinking about my future, the dream I had to play in the NHL was all but lost. Between the pratices, my bad grad at school, a girlfriend I would neglect... I got lost among my dream.



Then the snow got thickier, thickier, and I had to get out every hour or so to make sure my Camry wouldnt get snowed-in. I had a fair amount of gaz left, but I thought... what if?



What if no one pass by this road? What if I have to sleep here? Would I get frozen to death? Probably not, but I was starting to get scared. I couldnt start to walk anyway, because I was seriously lost, and I might have been miles away from the closest home.



So I did what I had to do : I slept there. I took all the clothes I had in my luggage, made myself a nice bed, and prayed I wouldnt get frozen to death, and thinking my girlfriend would be worried sick.



Just like in a horror movie, I was waken up by a loud banging on my window - giving me the scare of my life. And there was a young dude, besides his pickup. I checked time, it was a little bit past 6 a.m.



Kris Letang was there, on his route from Montréal to Val D'or, to meet players he met at a training camp. It's the team that drafted him, and for which he'd ended up playing.



My car was out of gaz - but I was so relieved to finally see someone. Kris picked me up, and we would do the road to the closest gaz station. Even at the times, he was already extremely beautiful, with his long dark hair and his dreamy eyes. I remember thinking how nice he smelled, especially for someone who just drove a long night roadtrip.



We discussed the previous draft, in which we were both, in the stands, hoping to hear our name get called. And then, he told me : '' Dont worry. Life will find a way to make you happy, just like I found you. ''



He was so confident. You could tell by the time he was a future champion. I was a bit shy, to tell the truth. But he made me feel so comfortable. He's an easy talker, he had well thought opinions on everything. Keep in my mind, we were just entering the Irak invasion fiasco, he was really informed about it. I was so enlighted. But one thing that made me doubt, is when I asked him about his future. He told me : I will make the NHL. I will play there. And I will become the first white player to play in this league.



I told him there was already plenty of white players in the league, which is still mostly played only by caucasian players. He didnt seemed to mind. And at this point, neither did I. It was just one of those perfect moment.



On the road back, I asked him to sign my plaster, which he did.



But he didnt only signed his name, after dropping me by.



He told me : ''For Kev. Just watch me, in a few years I will be known as the Penguin to play in the NHL. Kris''



I told him: there's a much better chance of that to happen, if you mean Penguin the team, and not the animal.



And then he winked, and told me ''Sometimes, Life finds a way''



And he drove away.

Click to read more...

 

[SomeDude]

 

[Avs2022]

So first of all. The National is such an amazing band. Totally agree.

However, when someone says "Life will find a way", there must be a dinosaur near. No exceptions.

 

[hamzarocks]

This is a repeat of a post made by someone a decade ago

 

[Avs2022]

So first of all. The National is such an amazing band. Totally agree.

However, when someone says "Life finds a way", there must be a dinosaur near. No exceptions.

 

[dr robbie]

The most unbelievable part isn't the story, but that you would need to be mid to late 30s now and still spell like a 12 year old.

 

[Frank Drebin]

This is a repeat of a poat made by someone a decade ago

Delet this

 

[NyQuil]

At least cite the original genius that you ripped off.

The story... of how I met Kris Letang on Christmas Eve

It's very hard to explain to my family and relatives how much HFBoards mean to me. I do have a bit obsession about this community, as prove this post - that I'm writing on a Christmas night, after hours of reading different post about hockey and whatnot. I have been lurking here for a decade...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[These Are The Days]

I am so happy right now. I'll fight anyone who takes this away from me

 

[Chips]

Would have been hotter if one of you tugged the other.

 

[LokiDog]

This is actually the reason that Father Christmas is alternatively referred to as Kris Kringle. Because of Kris Letang’s undying kindness and wisdom. The story is nearly legend

 

[FrozenJagrt]

I remember being here for the original and genuinely believe it was the very last time anyone made a post with that old HFBoards soul.

 

[super6646]

Here for the copy paste thread because I wasn't for the original, but plagiarism is lame.

Too busy to share my Brady Skjei Christmas story this year btw. But I will share a special New Years Day story because life finds a way

 

[tabness]

this old wack and boring now

 

[Pablo El Perro]

I could have been someone... Well so could of anyone...

 

[JianYang]

I hope none of you end up with gaz after Christmas dinner.

 

[Mike C]

I am so happy right now. I'll fight anyone who takes this away from me

PUT 'EM UP!!

 

[belair]

Came here for Letang, but stayed for the gaz.

An oldie, but a goodie.

 

[These Are The Days]

PUT 'EM UP!!View attachment 951441

 

[1989]

Paging @De Montreal to the thread.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

The most unbelievable part isn't the story, but that you would need to be mid to late 30s now and still spell like a 12 year old.

Or he's Quebecois. English is a stupid language that contradicts itself anyway; it deserves no respect.

 

[Lshap]

No re-gifting old threads. Closed.