Ever meet a player and be disappointed/surprised?

[Ozz]

So I've mentioned some counterpoints of good meetings with players others found to be not so great.

Here are a couple others:

Turco, Jack Johnson, Babcock, Marcel Dionne - all nice and signed/shook/whatever you asked.

Sid & Geno - met at the ASG red carpet in 09, all I wanted to do and was lucky they stopped for me. Must have been my gear (read below for the counterpoint - lol). Got pics with them as well and it made my day considering I stumbled upon the red carpet entry at the right time and was able to sneak a front spot.

MAF, James Neal, Tony Granato: met at a practice while on the road. Tony skated by and said hello first, the others I said hello to afterward and got photos with. Both were happy to do so.

Ted Lindsay is always a pleasure to folks at The Joe

Way back in the 90s, Amonte was doing a card shop signing event. My grandma asked how he could charge us poor kids for a signature (this was a time where we very often had free signings, though this was also his heyday and a current star). He was very nice about it when he obviously could have gone another way. Said it was up to his agent/the shop, etc. and apologized, talked to us and so on. The card shop themselves tried restricting what he would sign (certain cards) and if you didn't have them they were GLAD to sell you some at many times the value. Thankfully I had it on me. He apologized for that too. I'm sure he got paid for the signing, but I wonder if he got a cut of the card upsales?

Gordie Howe - met him at a book signing at The Joe, it was $80 or so for the book & signature. The line wasn't long at all due to price (or perfect timing?) so we got to chat it up with him for a while. He liked my Penguins shirt & hat and talked about how he loves Crosby.

NOT a bad experience, but at the ASG in 09 Tim Thomas dissed me when I asked for an autograph. Despite being a Penguins fan first, I've always also been a Bruins fan as they were my local team. So I called his name as he was walking through and signing/shaking hands, he turned to me and I asked if he'd sign my ticket. I guess the Penguins gear made him either think I was an ebay reseller or I wasn't worth bothering with. I said I was from Boston, a big fan, etc. and he said something like "OH YEAH?" and then kept walking That to us was SO much better (and funnier) than if I got what I asked for, so it was all good. We didn't stop laughing at that all weekend, and then made sure to boo him during the events ironically. Being that it was in Montreal, we made a lot of friends with that move.

 

[Raskolnikov76]

My girlfriend and her burlesque troupe were hired by the Sharks for a private party a few years ago. She told me most of the players were really nice. Nothing surprising: Marleau is shy and awkard, Vlasic is sweet, etc. I was a bit surprised when she told me Dany Heatley was actually very nice and helped the girls clean up. The only real negative thing she had to say was about Ryan Clowe. Apparently a total ****** and not the most respectful with women.

 

[Kerricthebig]

Nieuwendyck was a bit of a turd in his 20's when I met him.

Joe Mullen was awesome, Lanny was awesome, Tikkanen was really funny, Semenko was one of the nicest people I've ever met.

 

[Nev81]

I shared this on the Blues Board, but this is Chris Pronger playing rod hockey with us at my old job.
He sure did'nt like getting scored on Really nice in person!

 

[qwerty]

I use to work at a job (not hockey related) that allowed me to meet or at least be in the presence of many hockey players/people related to hockey or their families. Some of these run ins were at bars and etc as well. Really surprised how generally nice these pro athletes are.


Wayne Gretzky - star struck when I saw him, said in verbatim "hey wayne, how's it going?" He kind of just nodded at me and kept to himself, i was a little bit younger at the time and probably creeped him out as i was probably starring at him a little too long

Mikael Backlund - talked to him on too many occasions, very down to earth

Matt Stajan - met him and his wife, his wife was fanastic and was very outgoing

Theo Fleury - we have talked many times as well, fun guy to talk to

Ken King - one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, he literally is a giant though and his hands literally engulfed mine

Mike Green - off doing his own thing, didn't really have a chance to talk to him, no one seemed to know who he was though which is surprising because this was during his peak

Jordan Eberle - asked if he was Jordan Eberle, he gave me a long blank stare, very awkward encounter

Ladislav Smid - very nice guy

Kari Ramo - soft spoken and very nice

Paul Byron - had a nice conversation with him and his wife, he has to be one of the smallest/slightest players in the league

Viktor Rask - he couldn't believe I knew who he was

Kelly Hrudey - said to Kelly you're the man while going opposite directions and he replied with "I'll take that"

Marty Gelinas - super nice guy as well, very accommodating, had a great conversation with him

TJ Brodie - exchanged hellos, based on what I noticed, he's quite shy

Johnny Gaudreau - Johnny is amazingly slight as well, probably not 5'9 either, unreal how he doesn't get hurt in such a physical game. Asked him when he was going to show us his toe drag and wrister, he replied with "pretty soon."

Hayley Wickenheiser - really nice, had a good conversation as well

Joel Otto - still really fit

Sean Monahan - quiet and possibly slightly annoyed with all the attention he was getting

Lance Bouma - quiet as well, was just staring around at the room

Michael Frolik - super nice guy, had a real good conversation with him in the summer and wished him good luck on the season. He seemed to really like Calgary

David Moss - quiet, kept to himself

Mark Giordano - didn't get a chance to talk to him, but he was popular, took a lot of time to talk and took pics with fans

Rene Bourque - quiet guy, kept to himself

Jonas Hiller - he was sitting in the mall at a table

Jamie McCoun - exchanged pleasantries

Raphael Diaz - pretty quiet, mostly talking to his girl

Deryk Engelland - stood next to him at the urinals lol

Jiri Hudler - he was running around a lot and seemed to be having a lot of fun

Kris Russell - pretty soft spoken, mostly talking to Curris Glencross

Curtis Glencross - soft spoken as well, was just talking to Kris Russell

Rick Nash - didn't have a chance to talk to him

Marc Staal - didn't have a chance to talk to him

Jim Peplinski - exchanged pleasantries

Brandon Bollig - didn't bother saying hello

Jon Gillies - conversation at the grocery checkout, he was in town rehabbing his injury

Mason McDonald - stampede

Hunter Shinkaruk's Family

Brian Skrudland's Family

Joe Colborne - didn't have a chance to talk to him

Dougie Hamilton - didn't have a chance to talk to him, seemed really shy and quiet too

Joni Ortio - he didn't feel like talking, seemed somewhat annoyed

Josh Jooris - nice guy, even made sure to say bye before he left

Hayden Fleury - tall dude, he was with family, talked a bit but didn't realize it was Hayden Fleury till just after he left

Micheal Ferland - nice guy, not as rough around the edges as you might expect, had to leave quick

Troy Brouwer - really nice guy, had a few minutes to converse with him

Alex Chiasson - kept mostly to himself and his girl, wasn't too talkative

Jyrki Jokipakka - kind of awkward, wasn't too talkative either probably because his English isn't great

Brian McGratton - definitely a talkative guy, has a huge melon on those shoulders, dresses like he's in his early 20's

Probably missing others...will edit if I remember

 

[Cams]

I think a lot of these guys are almost embarrassed with their stardom. These are kids growing who just happen to be exceptional at what they do, and some probably just want to go about being hockey players, not celebrities. I always thought how amazing it would be to play for my team (the Leafs), but then I think of the rock star status in a market like that.....then a place like San Jose sounds OK.

 

[2Minutes4Surging]

I have met various active and former players, coaches, and GMs as well as TV personalities and even Gary Bettman...

Best encounter was with Barry Melrose and Steve Levy at a restaurant/bar after a Hurricanes game in the late 90's. They invited my family over to their table to sit down with them, they were having beers and shots and offered me a drink. I was 10. HAHA

Worst encounter was Brendan Shanahan. My father and I rode an elevator up to our floor with him at the Palms in Las Vegas. We were there for the NHL Awards Show. We said hello and asked a few questions. He talked down to us and scoffed at the fact that we are Hurricanes fans. I saw him a few years later in the bathroom at PNC Arena during All-Star Weekend. He was at the urinal right next to me. It took everything I had not to "accidentally" sprinkle on his shoe.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I've met a ton of ECHL, AHL, WHA and future NHLers in Cincinnati over the years.

Most are thrilled to death to be recognized outside the arena. I was working at an amusement park (Kings Island) one summer and I recognized Chuck Luksa-who was a Montreal prospect during their late 70s glory days- and talked with him for an hour. I got written up by my boss and Luksa's girlfriend was none too pleased. Luksa and I, however, had a great time.

Current NHLers I have met and talked to include David Desharnais and Anthony Bitetto. Desharnais was very shy-it was his first year out of junior hockey and his command of english was minimal. Bitetto was a blast. A ton of personality and was very candid about why he was in Cincinnati and what he needed to improve upon in his game to make the NHL.

When the Cyclones were affiliated with Florida, it was my distinct pleasure to talk to Brian Skrudland at length. Super nice guy and we talked for about 45 minutes. Was very revealing about a few things that I won't reveal

Former NHL player and Cyclones coach Jarrod Skalde was the best. He was candid, smart, funny and would set me straight when he felt I was wrong. LOL

I've found that most players are pretty respectful of fans, but are shy for the most part. In Cincinnati, if you know anything about hockey, those who aren't completely introverted get a kick out of that and seem to enjoy talking.

 

[ElysiumAB]

Have to laugh at the Corey Perry stories - he's actually one of the most humble, down to earth, likeable people youlll ever encounter... He doesn't want to be famous, he doesn't want attention from fanatics, he just wants to be a hockey player... Under different circumstances I'm sure most of you would have come away with a much different impression.

Plus, he's very busy staring off into space, thinking about cigarettes and lasagna.

 

[mr sidney crosby]

Met Fleury and Hossa after they had a practice at mellon areana before game 5 of the ECF vs the flyers in 2008. Both were very great guys, and Fleury even talked about the weather
Jordan Staal on the other hand didn't even stop to sign autographs for the people.

 

[CowbellConray]

Fiance has gone out with her old college roommate to the clubs around Tampa for a few years now and party with Lightning players. All pretty reasonable stories. A few of note:

Jason Garrison is a shy guy who plays the women game well
Stamkos is pretty nice
Killorn, Palat, Sustr, Pacquette and I think one more all ride together to the club. All are your typical I am an athlete so I can take any girl home types. But all super chill guys.
Bishop is nice
Johnson is a nice guy too
J.T. Brown is a gamer and loves COD - nice guy in person too

Sustr is a little weird and will ask girls for some strange things at the club. My fiance's friends all talk about how weird he can be. Everyone else is pretty normal.

 

[lakai17]

biznasty to Malhotra yesterday lol

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Went to an event that Brodeur, Stevens, Clarkson and a few other Devils greats were around for and every one of them were really cool and engaging.

Ristolainen is really awkward.

Nick Fotiu is awesome too. Local NYC guy and always connected well with fans.

Ilya Kovalchuk was kind of funny. Hockey Monkey in Woodbridge NJ had a signing event with him when he signed a new contract with them and was making fun of my friend's shirt in a light hearted way.

Sam Reinhart is a little bit of a jerk sometimes but mostly an average mannered person. I see him around Buffalo a lot.

I think the best was meeting Gil Perreault and he went "I'm a regular guy just like you" and said his time in Buffalo and the appreciation he had for the support was incredible

 

[tfong]

Theo Fleury.

Went from superstar in my mind to resident sandbagger dbag when I met him in a ballhockey tournament.

Could not believe how rude and trashie he was acting. Totally changed my entire perception of him.

 

[Machinehead]

I met a bunch of Rangers at our annual playoffs party right outside MSG.

Nick Fotiu and Ron Greschner were nice. Gilles Villemure was the nicest guy in the world.

Disappointments were Glenn Anderson and Ron Duguay. Super awkward and seemed like they didn't wanna be there.

Biggest surprise was from Brian Mullen. He was guest announcing the shooting challenge and when I stepped up he put the mic down and volunteered to pass me the pucks instead of the random spotter. I was the only one on the line who played with Mullen.

So yeah, an NHL player wanted to play hockey with me because he liked me. He thought I had a good shot. That was a nice surprise. Not trying to toot my horn or anything, I'm a garbage player overall, but my shot was always my best asset.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

Robyn Regher is probably the nicest I've ever met. Robyn was a friend of a friend sort of situation, knew I was a huge fan and over the years has gone out of his way to send me signed stuff, whether it be pictures, or even a jersey and a picture of him with the Cup in LA saying "thanks for the years of support".

Lanny is still a class act who I got to see a lot due to a business deal.

Also met Iggy, Conroy, N. Foligno, Fisher, Phaneuf (nicer than most people say), Reto Berra. Briefly met a bunch of Flames at a smaller ish event a few years ago. Joe Colborne and Mason Raymond were both awkward at a fan event that clearly didn't want to be there.

Brendan Morrison at a used equipment sale one year, even though it was end of June and his contract with the Flames was up. Super classy guy. Met a few guys via those sales, most of them borderline guys or guys at the end of their careers like Wayne Primeau. Those guys are often some of the best to interact with.

 

[vladdy16]

It took everything I had not to "accidentally" sprinkle on his shoe.

Sounds like he really missed out the first time around then.

 

[a tribe cq]

I also have a back and forth heckle-fest with Eddie O at the Haskell every year.

If you've ever watched it on TV me and my group of friends are always directly behind him with signs and starting chants. Was pretty great to talk hockey with him, although he had not one idea about anything related to prospects and would openly admit it.

He's a good dude and sort of knows us now because its a yearly affair.

 

[Karl Eriksson]

Met every all star at the Toronto ASG in 99 or 2000. Basically every player (Lemieux, Jagr, Selanne, Bourque, Karya, LeClair, etc.) stopped for pics and autographs except Gretzky. Was surprised.

 

[Youreallygotme]

I was a part time assistant coach for a midget B team. Pretty bad team. Towards the end of the year a guy named Justin Schultz joins the team after spending the winter in a private hockey school. The team instantly starts winning. The guy was bonkers. I'll never forget how every single time he got the puck on the blue line, he would somehow skate in for a point blank chance. Ultimately the AAA team heard about this and called him up. He seemed like a decent kid, but when you're given everything and become a hockey star in a small town it goes to your head awfully fast and you could tell. The Schultz Ducks/Oilers fiasco didn't really surprise me.

Another time, my bantam team was selling memorial cup programs in 2005. I saw Craig Mctavish there. As a Canucks fan I obviously didn't like him. But honestly as a person I never liked his vibe either. So I decided to screw with him and see if he wanted to buy a program. He smirked rather snarkly and walked the other way...to be fair I was a 15 year old ****. But once again, when it became apparent to everyone that he was a jerk at that infamous press conference, didn't really surprise me.

 

[Autism]

Everyone I've met has been nice besides Perry he was a *****.

 

[Mbraunm]

A friend of mine stated she met lots of nhl players at a local bar in the 2000s stated Sakic was always polite, conversant and carried himself at all times with class.

 

[Wewillrise]

I stumbled into Ryan Kessler and team USA in 2010 moments after Canada beat Slovakia. They all went into their Hotel quickly after the crowd caught up to me Haha.

 

[Lessavyfav]

Robyn Regher was super nice when I met him. He was new to the Sabres so no one really knew who he was. He wandered over to my group and talked for about ten minutes about his family, hockey, and Germany. He was a really nice guy.

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

Didnt exactly meet Ollie Jokinen but he was at the food court in Polo Park with his family. I was surprised because everyone was ignoring him just letting him be.

Met Jordan Tootoo when i was kid. My neighbors were his deceased brothers former billets. He was pretty nice and voluntarily gave a whole bunch of kids rides in his Dodge Viper