GO WINGS! Options

[Hoodstock]

GO WINGS!

[Voodoo-Lady]

You met Chris Chelios? I am officially jealous. I've been a fan of his since 1987 when he played with Montreal...then I followed him with Chicago and went to every single game when the Blackhawks came to Philly and now, I've been watching him with the Red Wings all this time. I have his autograph on one of my blackhawks jerseys but I had someone else get it for me. I saw him the last time Detroit was in Philly and I stood by the glass, before the game, as he practiced. He tossed a puck to a little boy, about 4 people over from me, and I almost jumped the kid. If my handbag wasn't two levels up, with my husband, I would have paid the kid any amount for that puck! Someday, hopefully before he retires, I can take a road trip to Detroit and finally see him play on his home ice.

That's so cool you've followed his career. I miss the hell out of Shanahan like that. We absolutely love Cheli here, I tend to forget the guys haven't always been ours. I have a weakness for Irishmen and Italians. I followed Dino Ciccerelli for a short time when he left us. Its tough cos I do so get attached, it was kinda surreal not to have our long-time captain Yzerman lifting the cup this time. Anyhoo, Cheli was the fourth player we met, I was obviously not warmed up yet. He's very popular but extremely down to earth from what I could tell. I kinda blew the chance to speak with him but it was memorable at least. I mentioned that I love his restaurant, turns out he doesn't just have the one I've been to, although it wasn't him that told me so - my uncle, who I trust meant well to contribute, was standing there and brought that up. News to me. So I got embarrassed and I started to say, just too slowly, "Well...I have to get around..." - the rest of the sentence "to going there soon" or "to checking that out" or whatever the hell I muttered, doesn't matter - got lost to misunderstanding. I think he thought I meant I have to get around to meeting the other players. Not like he was wounded by a brush-off but that must've been how he took my inarticulate ass, and talk about jealous - he moved on to shaking my husband's hand and they exchanged full sentences. Later for me.

I didn't encounter an ego trip one on the team, they're all great guys, very genuine. A lot of them are actually rather shy - but some of them sooo aren't. Like Maltby - he's a pistol, really animated. Gotta be great for team morale, that guy is like the life of a party. Major energy, major charisma. I enjoyed the spirited as well as the more subdued personalities. Osgood is very chill. Neither shy nor snobby, just way mellow. Meeting him was a highlight for me because he was the first one I met, and him being so calm, cool and collected helped me contain my hysterics - and he signed his rookie card for me, which is for my son, and that was an awesome opportunity.

Some that are known in the game as aggressive were really among the most easy-going in person. They clean up real nice, I hardly recognized some of them lookin' all GQ, lol. Draper is interesting, not in a bad way. A helluva nice guy but a true professional, the veteran that he is really shows. I dunno why I always thought he'd be kinda goofy, in an endearing way, but he's got composure - highly motivated but low-key about it. Not anal at all, just committed. Lots of great impressions, I hope my uncle will invite us to tag along as his guests again next year. Even if he throws me under the bus again, it'll be worth it. lol.

When you decide to come out to Detroit for a game, let me know - I'll try and hook up with you ideally at the arena for the game but if I'm not so fortunate then downtown, drinks on me.