TIM THOMAS, CHUCK KOBASEW and MATT HUNWICK on the red carpet at the Hard Rock for the "History of the Bruins" DVD release party. (Photo: Jesse Connolly)
Not often in one's life can they claim to have been flanked by stars of the NHL while ordering drinks at the bar, free of charge. But there I was, with Blake Wheeler and Matt Hunwick to my left and Phil Kessel to my right, trying my hardest to play it as cool as I possibly could and keep the giddy, star-struck fan within me restrained. But with the likes of Johnny Bucyk, Cam Neely, Ray Bourque, Milt Schmidt, Derek Sanderson and an array of characters from throughout the Bruins' 85 year history in the house to commemorate decades of black and gold hockey in the city of Boston at the Hard Rock Cafe, it was a tough battle all night long.
The Faneuil Hall establishment played host to the release party for the new "History of the Bruins" dvd, packed with nearly 4 1/2 hours of memorable moments in the team's history. All of the current players on the Bruins' roster were in attendance shy of Andrew Ference and Aaron Ward, who both were absent after recently welcoming newborn children into their families. Each player, as well as all members of the current coaching staff, made their way in via a Hollywood-esque red carpet entrance as VIPs and media members snapped photos and conducted brief interviews.
The players spread out throughout the restaurant, mingling with hockey legends and icons as well as diehard, overjoyed fans. They seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with everyone, as they all posed for endless pictures and satisfied every autograph seeker.
It seemed like everywhere you turned there was a living legend. As I wiggled my way through the packed horde of fans, making my way by a lengthy line waiting to meet "The Chief", there was Ray Bourque signing the shoulder of a fan's jersey. And around the corner was Milt Schmidt, who recently turned 91, sharing a laugh at a table with friends. It was truly a surreal experience.
Bourque, Schmidt, Sanderson and Cam Neely then recounted their glory days in a Q&A session with former Bruins Andy Brickley and Gord Kluzak, with both serving as MC's for the evening. Bourque and Neely focused on what it truly means to be a Bruin, and their effort to continue to instill that tradition with the current and future generations of players in the organization. Current Bruins' stars Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron also took part, discussing the team's turnaround and how the city has reignited it's love with hockey.
And sure enough the regulars from up on level 9 at the Garden were in attendance as well. The incomparable John Bishop, better known to most of you simply as "Bish" from BostonBruins.com, was kind enough to spend some of his time chatting it up and giving greatly appreciated advice to myself and a few new-found friends/fellow aspiring writers from up in the press box (Craig Kaufman of the Fischler Report and Dan Rowinski of the New England Hockey Journal). For those of you who don't know, the amount of time and dedication Bish puts into his work is just astounding. He is THE reason why the Bruins' team site makes the other 29 pale in comparison.
Come to think of it, everyone was there: Naoko Funayama (the friendliest, most welcoming human being you could ever meet), Barry Pederson, Joe Haggerty (thanks for the fashion tips), Mayor Menino, Bob Sweeney, Darryl Houston Smith (a man whose knowledge of hockey is exceeded by no one I have ever met), heck I could go on forever.
Everywhere you looked there was a well respected writer, a recognizable tv personality, an NHL star, a Hall of Famer, a living legend. And there I was (with a "little captain" in me, drink responsibly), the rookie writer, just holding his glass firmly and schmoozing with them all like it was no big deal. But truth be told, it was, and I doubt I'll ever forget it.
Some pictures and a few videos for your entertainment, all brought to you by yours truly:
(flickr maxes out videos at 90 seconds so Cam gets cut off a bit. Also, don't mind the digital camera quality/my one handed steadiness.)
Items up for grabs at the silent auction.
The Boston Bruins coaching staff.
MARK STUART, STEVE MONTADOR
DENNIS WIDEMAN
ZDENO CHARA
P.J. AXELSSON
BYRON BITZ, SHAWN THORNTON
MARC SAVARD
PATRICE BERGERON, DAVID KREJCI
MANNY FERNANDEZ, MARCO STURM, MICHAEL RYDER
MILAN LUCIC
PHIL KESSEL
CAM NEELY, RAY BOURQUE, GORD KLUZAK, ANDY BRICKLEY
ZDENO CHARA, PATRICE BERGERON, GORK KLUZAK, ANDY BRICKLEY
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