Ever meet a player and be disappointed/surprised?

[Langdon Alger]

All my experiences were fine, but a couple of friends of mine were refused autographs by Roenick and Chelios when they were with the Hawks.

Funny experience meeting Tom Chorske about 20 years ago when he played in Ottawa. A friend of mine accidentally handed him a Pat Elnuyk card by mistake. He said "I can't sign that, I'm not Pat Elnuyk."

Another friend of mine fainted in front of Radek Bonk, but not due to being star struck. It was winter and he had his jacket on inside, so he was probably quite hot and I don't think he had anything to eat that day.

 

[Sota Popinski]

My brother was at a bar in Minneapolis and Cam Barker was there doing an appearance. My brother was a regular at this bar and the manager went up to him and pointed out Barker was there and he should go up and say hi to him. He had been there for an hour and my brother said maybe 10 people went up to talk to him. My brother went up and tried to make small talk and ask how he liked Minneapolis so far. He said Barker never made eye contact and only gave 2 of 3 word answers. My brother walked away after about 30 seconds. It takes a real dick to be paid to appear somewhere and meet people and then ignore one of the few people who actually come up to talk to you.

 

[Cassano]

Johnny Bower.

Lived couple houses down from where I grew up. Just an all-around amazing human being. We didn't bother him much, - he signed whatever memorabilia we had, but he would spectate our street hockey games from time to time, told us about '67, etc.

 

[Elimanator]

Also forgot aout some of the people my family has met.

My brother met Tie Domi at a Toronto bar. He was nice he said but i cant quite remember the details
My brothers friend went to high school with taylor hall. [MOD]
My parents also met Wayne Gretzky's dad somehow. Idk where tho. They got a hockey stick signed by him lol

 

[LeProspector]

I went to visit my cousin a few years back during the summer in Godrich.
My cousin was the water boy for Ryan O'Reilly who would rent out the local arena a couple times a week and play scrimmages during the summer.
After one of the scrimmages, me and my cousin were waiting outside for his mother to pick us up.
Ryan drives by, backs up and asks us if we wanted a ride back to our house, we said yes and he drove me and my cousin home in his Audi, he is a 10/10 guy, went out of his way to do that.

Matt Martin went to my former High School and would come visit his former teachers when ever he plays in Detroit.
When one of my teachers visited Miami, he was in a restaurant with his family when the Toronto Maple Leafs walked in together. Matt recognized him and went over to say hello, he bought my teacher and his family tickets to the game they were were playing the next night in Florida.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Ryan Spooner, is a pretty funny guy
Pageau, is pretty nice too, a bit of a jokester, likes to tell people hes famous, but thats prolly cause i met him at a bar and he kind of just broke out in the league.
MacArthur, one of the most humble and honest players i have met, very chill and down to earth.

 

[dr robbie]

They use to have monthly signings at one of my local sports equipment stores. I met a handful of players and they were all nice (Bouwmeester, Schwartz, Bobby Plager, Brian Elliott, Glenn Hall, etc.). At one signing however, Tony Twist came in and was pretty obviously drunk. He ended up getting into an argument with one of the people there - enough to concern the management. They ended up cancelling all of the future signings and haven't had another signing since (probably almost 4 years ago now). Really sucks because it was a neat opportunity to meet local stars. I don't necessarily think Twister is a bad guy though. My uncle met him at a hardware store and he signed autographs for him as well as for all of his nieces and nephews and was said to be a really nice guy. Not sure what was up with him at the other signing.

Aside from all of that, other players I've met include Jim Campbell (probably the nicest guy ever), Craig McTavish (friendly), and Garth Butcher (also pretty nice). Hockey players in general seem to be pretty relatable, friendly people.

 

[Leafs24Seven*]

Met Rick Middleton in a bar in Montreal, a mutual friend introduced me to him and his daughter and he was nice, posed for a picture and all and partied with his daughter another time as well. Steve Shutt was standing behind me later that same night and nobody was talking to him.

Met Scotty Bowman once, was nice and signed a autograph. Doug Carpenter brought his boat into a marina i worked at as a kid and he was a really cool guy. I would have never known who he was if the boss had not told me.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

As a young child I met almost all of the 1984 Oilers at a Hotel restaurant but wanted nothing to do with them because Gretzky wasn't there
The players thought it was funny. I still have a coaster signed by all the greats sans Gretz

 

[dechire]

The only active player I've met is Tyler Johnson. I was really nervous that he'd tell me to **** off since he was just hanging out at the Spokane Chiefs training camp and I was wearing a Dallas Stars sweatshirt But he signed things for both me and my mom and took a picture with me. I didn't stay and chat because I was nervous and I figured he wanted to be left alone but he was nice about it. And now I know exactly how tall he is since I'm 5'6 and we were both wearing flipflops when we took the pic lol

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Jonathan Drouin has a good sense of humor.

Me and my little brother went to a signing back when he was a rookie in Tampa. We bought one t-shirt each to get him to sign. On mine, he signed the # 7. On my brother's, he signed the name. He said it was the first time someone had told him to sign the name. It was pretty funny. We all had a nice laugh about it, then he signed one of my other Bolts t-shirts, then we got a picture and left.

I also have a really awkward picture with Mitch Marner from the 2015 draft.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

The only active player I've met is Tyler Johnson. I was really nervous that he'd tell me to **** off since he was just hanging out at the Spokane Chiefs training camp and I was wearing a Dallas Stars sweatshirt But he signed things for both me and my mom and took a picture with me. I didn't stay and chat because I was nervous and I figured he wanted to be left alone but he was nice about it. And now I know exactly how tall he is since I'm 5'6 and we were both wearing flipflops when we took the pic lol

You're short lol, I'm 15 and just over 5'10.

 

[dechire]

You're short lol, I'm 15 and just over 5'10.

Well I'm a woman so I'm not that short TyJo is 5'7-8. He was taller than me but not by much.

 

[FerklundCGY]

Surprised no one has mentioned Craig Conroy. By FAR the nicest player I've ever met. I used to stand outside by the Flames parking lot after home games waiting for them to drive out and try to get their autographs. When Conroy stopped, my mom asked if I could take a picture with him. He responded "I can do one better" and proceeded to get out of his vehicle and take multiple photos with me. Best hockey-related moment of my life.

That was the year Todd Bertuzzi played for the Flames so 2008-09. I can't really recall how every other player was but each player stopped to sign autographs for fans except for Robyn Regehr (who just drove right passed us) and Miikka Kiprusoff (who hadn't left yet).

However, to Regehr's benefit, he goes to his lake house in Saskatchewan every year (or used to) and he would go to my Uncle's restaurant a lot and he was super kind enough to bring him a game used stick to give to me because my Uncle had told him how big of a fan I was. I'm sure many people won't believe that but it is true.

I also met Curtis Lazar at Knoxville's on St. Patricks Day so it was shortly after we acquired him. He was standing in a roped off section with a few other Flames players (Bennett, Bouma, and Gaudreau) but I went up to him with a buddy and he was super kind. He was talking to a chick but he took the time to say hello to us, ask how are night was going and shook our hands. He came as advertised. Super nice. The two girls we were with were offered to go hang with the Flames players by some creepy old dude who was walking around trying to find girls but they said "no" because they didn't believe him at first so needless to say my friend and I were slightly disappointed in them. I didn't talk to Bennett, Bouma or Gaudreau though. The funny thing, though, is when everyone was leaving the club, they were the last ones to leave and Gaudreau walked out with 3 (3!!!) girls.

My last story involves Pavol Demitra. My Uncle (different Uncle this time) is a mover and he moves hockey players a lot. When Demitra signed to play for Vancouver, my Uncle moved him and he brought him a stick to hopefully sign for me. Apparently Demitra was nice enough to not only sign the stick, but to also tape the stick for me. Rest in Peace.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Well I'm a woman so I'm not that short TyJo is 5'7-8. He was taller than me but not by much.

I am a boy and am above average in height for my age

So tyjo's listed height is accurate

(Can't be sure due to "6'9" Kevin Durant)

 

[illpucks]

Met Yashin. Was the nicest person ever. Not what he was made out to be.

 

[HighNote]

Ran into Chris Pronger at a gas station in STL. It was over 10 years ago so I can't remember what the conversation was, but we talked for about a minute and from what I vaguely remember he was a really cool guy and didn't mind at all to take that minute out of his night.

It always surprises me how in general the guys that are mean on the ice are the nicest off it.

 

[HernzNation]

True story. I played poker at Fallsview Casino in Niagara with Phil Kessel during the lockout shortened season while he was with the Leafs. To no one's surprise, he looked more like a poker player than a hockey player... and his poker skills left alot to be desired. Great guy at the table though, he answered some of my questions and was generally a very social person. I got a photo with him and he even signed my casino player's card... (very degenerate, yes i'm aware) but I had nothing else on me and wanted an autograph. For the roughly half hour or so that he was at my table (the stakes were $2/$5 NL) I probably witnessed him lose about $900. But money clearly wasn't his motive for playing. He was there with a buddy of his and they were just looking to have a good time.

 

[3074326]

I've met:

Rick Nash - super cool, he was buying something where I worked. I didn't bother him, but I acknowledged that I was a fan and wished him luck in the upcoming season. He seemed down to earth and was pleasant and happy to talk.

James Wizniewski - this was my favorite interaction. He was with a few others at a bar in Columbus and I've been a fan since he made the oral sex gesture towards Sean Avery on the ice. So, I went up and said something like "hey man, I don't want to buy you a drink or get a picture. I just want you to know that I've been a fan since you made a very specific gesture towards Sean Avery on the ice." He looked at me, slightly puzzled, then his eyes lit up. He started laughing, then made the gesture, and slapped me on the back with the force of 1000 suns. It was awesome.

That same night, I met Ryan Johansen, Cam Atkinson, Blake Comeau, Brandon Dubinsky, Jared Boll and a few others I can't recall. Other than Wiz I didn't say much other than hey and whatnot. We shared the corner of a bar with them. Good night.

I also want it to be known that Brandon Dubinsky was running around like a maniac and yelling, he was definitely being that guy.. but he didn't do anything wrong. lol

Paul Kariya and I locked eyes right before a faceoff at Nationwide Arena. It was actually really uncomfortable how long it went on.

Also, spoke with Adam Foote's father for 20-30 minutes at my job shortly after he was traded to Columbus. His dad was legitimately one of the nicest people I've ever met. They seemed really pleased with Columbus, and his dad said great things. I was surprised when I heard about the way that ended...

 

[Oscar Acosta]

Kelly Buchberger, met him twice. I would suggest that once was enough. No personality and aloof. Avoid at all costs.

Really? He was by far the best of my childhood. Can't remember how but my friend and I caught wind he was in town golfing so we grabbed cards and rode our bikes out there. Sure enough... asked him for autograph he happily signed every single thing we brought.

Then he's like "say you guys have anything to do today?" We say no he's all "well I guess I found myself some caddies". So on the cart we went with him all afternoon, every time his party would order drinks he would buy us pops or chips or whatever we wanted. Let us try driving the cart and answered every single question my 11 year old hockey obsessed mind came up with. Dude was great.

 

[member 105785]

I've met lots of Canucks and ex-Canucks

Nice:
Sedins
Malhotra
Hansen
Hamhuis
Lu
Lack
Burrows (we had a lengthy discussion about all the players who had signed my childhood jersey, he seemed stoked to see the Bure signature)


Not the nicest:
Miller
Kesler
Grabner

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I've met Matt Hackett (A complete dbag), Aaron Ekblad (Also a dbag, he gave me a death threat look when I asked if he's actually Ekblad) Filip Forsberg (Nice funny guy but loves to crack jokes that at times might be a bit politically incorrect, and if there's something he doesn't like about you he'll be politely honest about it), Mattias Ekholm (Very nice and mature person, but super quiet and very shy, definition of a gentle giant there. It's just funny because he kept on telling Filip to calm down, and he apologizes to fans, whenever a fan get sad because of Filip haha), Roman Josi (Extremely friendly guy and down to earth. He's a genius as well, super intelligent beyond words), Hampus Lindholm (Like Filip only he's PC when it comes to cracking jokes lol), Connor Hellebuyck (Super friendly and down to earth. Very polite and well mannered), Johnny Gaudreau (Extremely shy, but friendly), RNH (Nice and friendly guy, shy as well), Frederik Andersen (Interrupted him and his family, so he was not very happy but still nice and polite), Jaroslav Halak, Phillip Grubauer (He was singing when I met him lol), Braden Holtby (Extremely down to earth person, he's just kind beyond words), Mark Streit and Bellemare (Both nice and polite, nothing more), and Loui Eriksson all in Toronto during the WCH. I've met more in other places, and I know some friends who know hockey players, but can't remember all at the top of my head. Oh how can I forget about Draisaitl and how he told me to beat up anyone that tries to mess with me or my loved ones when I asked him for some tips haha.

 

[SB84]

Love these stories!

I played summer baseball with Joe Colborne when we were 14 and a few years ago I saw him and a few other Flames at a bar and he actually recognized me and went out of his way to chat with me. Super nice guy. We sat at the same table as Gaudreau and Bollig. Johnny Hockey was incredibly shy whereas Bollig was hilarious, both were very nice. Ferland also told us we could come back to their place for a hot tub party if we brought our female friends but they didn't want to go unfortunately for us

Bobby Ryan and a few of the Ducks went out after a Flames game and budged my buddy in a line for hot dogs outside the bar. My buddy was like, "wtf are you doing?", then Bobby bought himself and my buddy a dog, chatted with him for a while and then asked "How are you getting home?", my buddy said "A cab maybe" and then Bobby handed him $80 and told him to get home safe. That always stuck with me. Really funny guy and down to earth. Always been a fan of his after that.

 

[MikeGrier99]

Sheldon Souray, Ryan Whitney, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Ales Hemsky, Raffi Torres, Ryan Getzlaf, Doug Weight, Devan Dubnyk, Georges Laraque, Randy Gregg, Craig MacTavish, Kevin Lowe, Steve Macintyre, Jussi Markanen, were all very nice guys when I met them. Out of this group Souray and Whitney were the nicest ones, taking their time to have a conversation and being completely polite and engaging the entire time. Ryan Getzlaf was also very kind and gentlemanly when I served him in a restaurant one time.

Hall, Schultz, Eberle, Draisaitl, Pisani, Gagner, Smid, Nikitin, Pitlick, Stortini, were a little withdrawn and less communicative but still professional, especially considering how often this stuff happens to them.

Probably the worst incident was with Shawn Horcoff when he just made an immature comment, but it was at a bar with a few Oilers there and I think he just felt a bit awkward around lots of people younger than him. The comment wasnt directed towards anyone either he kinda more or less just embarrassed himself. But hey this stuff happens and people have off nights. Im not surprised to hear stories about NHLers being rude, once in a while I think fans (especially grown men) cross the line and ask for autographs or photos when really you should just give the person personal space. Ive never asked for an autograph or photo, but instead I have shook most of these guys hands and talked for at least a minute or two.

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

When I was about 14 I got a chance to meet my childhood hockey hero, Keith Tkachuk. I had seats right above the old announcer's tables at the Shark Tank and he was injured (groin pull) and giving an interview about ten rows below my seats. I tracked him down afterward and was so nervous all I could think to say was: "Hey Keith, how's the groin?" He gave a me a weird look at first but then chuckled and said it was getting better. Shook his hand and we went out separate ways.


Not long after that I got to meet Roenick, my second favorite player at the time. On his way out of the parking lot after a game at the old America West Arena, he stopped his car, got out, and did not leave until he had signed stuff for every fan who was there. He also went around and chatted with everyone and was cracking jokes and entertaining all the fans. Was blown away by how cool he was but considering all the good things I'd heard about him I wasn't surprised.