The only fan letter I've ever written was to Danny Briere. I'm a hockey fan because I so enjoyed watching him play. No personal interactions - I've never met him but I can't forget him either.
- FlyersGrace

I met Max Talbot and asked him if I could call him "Super Star." He got really serious and said, "Max is fine." I wonder of he maybe just got really tired of answering that during his time in Pittsburgh.

But again, he seems like a very likeable guy from what I've seen.

I met Max Talbot and asked him if I could call him "Super Star." He got really serious and said, "Max is fine." I wonder of he maybe just got really tired of answering that during his time in Pittsburgh.

But again, he seems like a very likeable guy from what I've seen.
- jmatchett383

Did he sign and autograph with his Flyers number or his Pens number?

I almost met Andrew MacDonald when he was here in Allentown. Saw him from across the street and started coming at him to greet him. He just kept backing up for whatever reason and I lost him after having to wait at a crosswalk. So yeah, I really can't tell you how cool he is.
- YuenglingJagr

Never met any of these guys.

But then again I've only driven unleaded vehicles.

Did he sign and autograph with his Flyers number or his Pens number?
- YuenglingJagr

Can't remember, still have the cards at home.

It was sometime during the 11/12 season, shortly after Pronger's concussion. I remember Jagr in a corner completely surrounded by people. It was the first season they had it, and it was just complete mayhem with players just out on the concourse for the first half hour.

Never met any of these guys.

But then again I've only driven unleaded vehicles.
- Just5

Can't remember, still have the cards at home.

It was sometime during the 11/12 season, shortly after Pronger's concussion. I remember Jagr in a corner completely surrounded by people. It was the first season they had it, and it was just complete mayhem with players just out on the concourse for the first half hour.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, the early entry was chaos the first year. I felt bad for the guys, they were just mobbed trying to sign as much as they could and take photos. I remember that being Bobrovsky's first season I think. He looked totally overwhelmed by the experience.

I almost met Andrew MacDonald when he was here in Allentown. Saw him from across the street and started coming at him to greet him. He just kept backing up for whatever reason and I lost him after having to wait at a crosswalk. So yeah, I really can't tell you how cool he is.
- YuenglingJagr

Post of the day.

"
I am very proud to announce that I will be working with the Flyers again next season as well as continuing on as the content manager for the Flyers Alumni Association (webpage, social media, game programs for special events). Simultaneously, I am staying here full-time at HockeyBuzz in both daily Flyers blogging and behind-the-scenes roles. The Dallas Stars blog will also become more active again as major events happen in the offseason and next season begins."

The only fan letter I've ever written was to Danny Briere. I'm a hockey fan because I so enjoyed watching him play. No personal interactions - I've never met him but I can't forget him either.
- FlyersGrace

Danny is everything you hear about him and more. One of the nicest human beings -- not just limited to the sports realm, either -- you will ever meet.

I met Max Talbot and asked him if I could call him "Super Star." He got really serious and said, "Max is fine." I wonder of he maybe just got really tired of answering that during his time in Pittsburgh.

But again, he seems like a very likeable guy from what I've seen.
- jmatchett383

Good guy, very good sense of humor.

I am so glad to see that people have had positive experiences with Bob Kelly....even in his official Ambassador role....I didn't, it was so bad that it played a part in turning my wife off from even casually following the team.

I had a great experience as a child meeting Bob Kelly. He was funny, he was encouraging, he was everything you want. When he was on the concourse at the Center greeting fans (supposedly) and there was NO ONE around other than the Delta Ice Girls, I was all excited. He was the man who scored the goal that won the 2nd cup. I was going to introduce my wife to him...and when we walked up and I started to say hello....he turned his back on us and started chatting with the Delta Ice girl...who was really uncomfortable because she saw us standing there...after a few minutes of this he just walked away...the Ice girl was great and sweet and apologized .... but the "Ambassador" lost a fan that night.
- wbon22

that totally surprises me. many many years ago I ran into him at the Moorestown Mall (does that place still exist). He talked so much I got to the point where I wanted to go was so nice. My experience has been that all of the 70's guys are awesome. I see Jim Watson at iceworks all the time because I play men's league there and its the home rink for my women's travel team and he is always so nice. Last night he told me i live there hearing the above surprises me completely

Met Jeff Carter and Danny Briere at Plough & the Stars in Old City. Carter just scooted right by without engaging but Briere was super nice. Gave a friendly greeting and you could just tell he has a warm and inviting personality.

I will say in my numerous fan-player interactions throughout most sports the only bad one I've had was with Pete Rose. As a life long Reds fan I was happy to have a chance to meet him in the 80's. Well I plunked down my 20 bucks and stood in a long line only to have him be a total jerk to everyone near me.

I've met many baseball, football and hockey along with many NASCAR and Indycar drivers. I will say the hockey guys are just awesome. Baseball and football it is hit or miss to who's nice and who's a jerk.

Another fun story I had was when I was at a family picnic and my uncle had coached a few guys who were drafted out of Penn State in pee wee football. Well one of them popped by before going to Raiders training camp. He was all chatty and happy with everyone. He comes up to me and we are talking and he asked my favorite team. I got real quiet. He's like "What's wrong?" My reply was along the lines of "Ummm, I'm a Broncos fan." He gave a laugh and said jokingly, "Go away kid."

post

The only fan letter I've ever written was to Danny Briere. I'm a hockey fan because I so enjoyed watching him play. No personal interactions - I've never met him but I can't forget him either.
- FlyersGrace

I met Danny at the Skate Zone a yr or two after he was let go while I was talking to Sarah Baicker and he couldn't have been nicer.

Post of the day.

- MBFlyerfan

So I win Hockeybuzz?!?!

I am so glad to see that people have had positive experiences with Bob Kelly....even in his official Ambassador role....I didn't, it was so bad that it played a part in turning my wife off from even casually following the team.

I had a great experience as a child meeting Bob Kelly. He was funny, he was encouraging, he was everything you want. When he was on the concourse at the Center greeting fans (supposedly) and there was NO ONE around other than the Delta Ice Girls, I was all excited. He was the man who scored the goal that won the 2nd cup. I was going to introduce my wife to him...and when we walked up and I started to say hello....he turned his back on us and started chatting with the Delta Ice girl...who was really uncomfortable because she saw us standing there...after a few minutes of this he just walked away...the Ice girl was great and sweet and apologized .... but the "Ambassador" lost a fan that night.
- wbon22

Those things happen...It is sad when it does....My dad met his hockey hero back in the 70's at the hockey hall of fame, Dave Keon. and got the same reaction....dad was crushed....My Mother after watching my dad mope away, walked up to him after and basically said "your an A$$" ....to which a couple of other fans cheered her on.
I on the other hand I got a chance to meet Bob Clarke In TO at the Royal York. Couldn't have been nicer, I sent him over a beer and he thanked me on the way out.

EVERYBODY JUST CALM DOWN

I will say in my numerous fan-player interactions throughout most sports the only bad one I've had was with Pete Rose. As a life long Reds fan I was happy to have a chance to meet him in the 80's. Well I plunked down my 20 bucks and stood in a long line only to have him be a total jerk to everyone near me.

I've met many baseball, football and hockey along with many NASCAR and Indycar drivers. I will say the hockey guys are just awesome. Baseball and football it is hit or miss to who's nice and who's a jerk.

Another fun story I had was when I was at a family picnic and my uncle had coached a few guys who were drafted out of Penn State in pee wee football. Well one of them popped by before going to Raiders training camp. He was all chatty and happy with everyone. He comes up to me and we are talking and he asked my favorite team. I got real quiet. He's like "What's wrong?" My reply was along the lines of "Ummm, I'm a Broncos fan." He gave a laugh and said jokingly, "Go away kid."
- dragonoffrost

I found Pete Rose to be unpleasant, too. Met him in 1981. Had no interaction with the people who waited for 90 minutes to meet him -- didn't even look up except to comment on some woman's chest and ask if she had brought basketballs to sign. She was there with her children, mind you, and wasn't amused. Every one else, he ignored.

Had two interactions with Mike Schmidt (my all-time favorite baseball player). When I met him at age 8, he was incredibly nice and asked me questions if he was actually interested in where I went to school, how my grades were, and if and where I played little league baseball. Met him as an adult at a book signing event and he said "Hello" and "you're welcome." That's how it should be, though. Make the kids feel special and be polite to the grownups. I know some people report negative interactions with Schmidt but I can only go on my own experiences.

I will also say that fan interactions are quite different from actually getting to know and/or work with someone.

Joe lives and breathes Flyers (and Flyers Alumni) 24/7. You should have seen him in St. Petersburg after the Flyers Alumni vs SKA Alumni game, nearly in tears, talking about how much it would have meant to Ed Snider to see the Flyers playing in a sold out arena halfway around the world and Russian fans come out in Flyers jerseys.

On one of the games during the tour, it went to a shootout. There was a former NHL player who was one of our guest players and he was not trying very hard during the game.... I won't say who... but he then wanted to take a turn in the shootout. He had been a good scorer in his playing days. Joe bluntly told him to sit the hell down and picked other guys instead for the shootout that he felt had earned it.

Joe later said that if the team hadn't been wearing Flyers crests and it had just been a "celebrity team" with generic uniforms, he'd probably have let it slide. As a Flyers Alumni team game, though, he wanted commitment.

Again, that's Joe being Joe. The Flyers mean everything to him.
- bmeltzer

Many moons ago I had the rare privilege to skate with the alumni team in one of their many charity games.

They were short a player and I was available so I was asked to fill in. In the locker room, knowing I was the "outsider", Joe Watson told me to sit and dress between himself and Bob Kelly. Sensing my excitement and looking obviously overwhelmed, both Joe and Bob made it a point to make me feel as comfortable as possible by laughing, joking, and sharing great stories.

They placed me on a line, forced me to take my regular shift even when the game became close, and did everything they could to make sure I was relaxed and had a great time.

You could only imagine how surreal it was to be in the same locker room with these guys, all heroes of mine - Propp, Schulz, Hospoder, Goodenough - let alone skating alongside them in a game.

Afterwards, when the team went out for a bite and a few beverages, both Watson and Kelly sat down and spent considerable time with me and my family as if we were old friends.

Each and every player treated me like I was one of their own. Somehow, I didn't expect anything less. And they didn't disappoint.

EVERYBODY JUST CALM DOWN
- Streit2ThePoint

What would you tell Matt Read if you had the pleasure to meet him?

As someone who grew up watching and idolalizing the Bullies, my only response to your wonderful blog today Bill is:

Always been a big Danny briere fan especially after he dropped his ex wife who was an angry troll for the most part.

Worst experience ever with a player was Ville leino. He dated one of my sisters friends and happened to come out with us and I was wearing a flyers shirt. He went on a rant about how he doesn't understand why we take sports So seriously and wear the clothes when they're not playing etc.

I've met Don Seleski, nice guy.

Got an autograph from Hextall and Derick Smith not long after the game 7 loss to the Caps in 88. Hextall did not seem like he was in the best of moods. I was scared to approach him. But he was nice once you got up to him.

My sisters met Keith Jones down at the Borgata. They said he was nice.



#namedropbuzz