Shawn Gates: The Display Case #9: Fan Appreciation & Player Humility Via The '72 Series
- shawn_gates
good story - thanks Shawn.
I've got one of my own regarding Henderson. Took place in the winter of 91-92... downtown Toronto. At that time I lived in a condo at 10 Yonge Street.. and had the pleasure of teaching my wife to skate at the small rink at Harbor Front (not sure if its still there). We used to head down there pretty early on a Sunday morning ahead of the crowds of kids and tourists. I would guess that perhaps the second or third time we were there, an older couple than us, who looked really graceful took the ice for what was ostensibly ice dancing. I was thrilled when I realized it was Henderson.
Living down there, there were many athletes, Blue Jays in particular but a few Leafs as well who were around... so I was accustomed to not bothering them, usually just a bit of light banter.
The second week that we saw the Hendersons skating, I simply skated over and thanked him for a great memory. We struck up a conversation as a result and it was great to realize that he didn't seem at all bothered and was actually very humble - as was mentioned - about the whole thing. My wife not being Canadian didn't have much frame of reference 'for who this guy was".. I had chance to get her up to speed.
Nice man, and it was great to see him have that chance to skate uninterupted with his wife... and his skating was fluid.
Also great to see quite a few little kids learning to skate - with absolutely on idea who this "old guy" was whizzing around the place.
