The Display Case #9: Fan Appreciation & Player Humility Via The '72 Series

October 24, 2012, 12:21 PM ET [2 Comments]

Shawn Gates
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I need to hear stories like this given what we as fans are in the thick of right now. I need to be reminded that players value the fans and their connection to the game. I need to hear that individuals associated with the game can view their place in hockey history with a healthy dose of humility and perspective. I need to be reminded that there was a time when this was more about “The Game’, not “The Business”.

I say this without a hint of melodrama, and hope people can see it for someone speaking to their love of a sport: As each day passes where I hear more about money, contracts, CBA’s and threats of lost seasons, my indifference grows, and that quite frankly saddens me. If you need something tangible for why this is so, I ask for you to humour me and try the following while reading this post: On one side of your mind, visualize the past 8 to 9 years of labour strife in the NHL. On the other side, as you read Gerard’s stories below, imagine being there for the event involving Vladislav Tretiak, without doubt one of the, if not THE, key player(s) in not only what is thought to be one of the greatest games played (Habs vs USSR) but also the greatest series (’72 Summit Series) of ALL TIME. No flash, no ego, no elitist attitude. Just humility, warmth, and respect for those there to meet him. Same for the encounter with Paul Henderson: Not looking for a payday, just respecting his place in the history of the game and the meaning it holds for fans of the game. But I digress...

Here is Gerard’s story of meeting two men whose histories are inextricably tied together forever. Who played a series of games against each other in a time when it “being more than a game” meant it paralleled the brink of war between two cultures, not that it was about dollars and cents. I’m not gonna say it was pure (see Eagleson, Alan), but this was certainly about something more than cash. Two men whose approach to the sport and their life off the ice certainly provide something more positive for me as a hockey fan than anything I can draw from the game right now...

You were asking about stories big/small and every other sort. Well, i’ve got a sweet little Maple Leafs room here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but my favourite thing in the entire place are these 2 autographed cards. Being born in 1960 I don’t have to tell you the importance of the ‘72 series and, to this day, I get emotional hearing Foster Hewitt call that goal. I met both players years apart though in very different settings.

Vladislav Tretiak was signing memorabilia about 1985, believe it or not, outside a small gas station here in town. Here was the greatest goalie I’ve ever seen sitting at a very small card table, with folding legs no-less, next to the station’s front door with his wife standing very politely behind him to the side. With a small line-up of 10-15 people he chit-chatted with each of us and smiled the entire time all the while being extremely polite. This was before I’d ever heard, and definitely could not afford, a digital camera so getting a picture with him was out of the question. I’d gotten a few other things signed while I was there and have since given them to friends but this card is a keeper till the end.

Years later, prob. about 2000 give/take, Paul Henderson was on tour with a Christian group here at the local sportsplex. You didn’t have to be a genius to know many hockey fans would show just to get a glimpse of him even if it wasn’t in a hockey setting. Plus, being a Christian myself, it was kind of nice to hear the stories as well. Still...this was Henderson. He was the main speaker though he wasn’t the last. Fearing I’d lose my small window of opportunity to meet him, and hopefully get a card signed, I made my way over to that side of the rink along by the boards just off stage. Hey, what was there to lose?

He had seen this drill before and calmly gave me the ‘Just wait a minute till this is over and I’ll sign your card’ look. Hey what could i say? So i sat just off to the side until the talks were done. Unfortunately, as the last speaker was winding down the throngs of fans surrounding him were not to be denied and he signed for about 15 minutes before he, and two (I think) security guards, put an end to it. I never tried to fight through the mass of people so I just sat in my seat and bided my time. As the crowd faded way, Henderson and the two others made their way back into the runway under the arena seats so I knew then it was time to play my last card. I called down the hallway to him and reminded him I was the guy he asked to wait way back in the beginning. He immediately looked at both guys to his side and then, much to my relief, headed down towards me. All I had was this one card but, much to my shock, my pen didn’t work so he merely got one from one of the other guys and put his signature on it. After I thanked him for remembering me he was off again and out of sight in seconds. He could have said a 100 different things as to why he couldn’t come back down and meet me but he didn’t and I was very grateful.

I know you can buy both of these players autographs on ebay but I’m glad to have them with a nice story instead. My son was born on September 28/85 so you just know how nice it is that I can hand down both of these over to him down the road. It’s something we’ve talked of before so I’m just waiting for him to buy his first home. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

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The Display Case #9: Fan Appreciation & Player Humility Via The '72 Series

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