I went to the MN Wild hockey practice today (Pics)

envoy98 · February 23, 2008 9:18AM

I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I went to this last week and had a good time. I got Gaborik to sign a 2003 "First Stanley Cup In Franchise History" puck. Got to meet a bunch of guys. A buddy got Skoula's stick. It was fun, so we went back this weekend. This time I brought a practice jersey for a buddy of mine that I got covered in sigs. I also got a couple pucks signed by Burns and Rolston for my boss' son. I got a full size stick signed as well. Plus we got some cool pics.

It's amazing the difference between MLB/NFL players and these guys in the NHL. First of all, the NHL guys sign on their way into practice, they give away sticks constantly, they chat it up with you as they are walking onto/off of the ice and they take pics. Plus they sign until nobody is needing a signature. Everyone I asked multiples of was more than willing to sign. They were very nice about taking pics, Gaborik looked a little annoyed but he smiled in every picture anyway. Awesome guys and it makes for a very cool experience. If they are trying to build a fan base, this is the way to do it.

My sister-in law is absolutely IN LOVE with Branko Radivojevic. She even got a custom jersey of his since nobody will ever make one. Nice guy, but he's not the greatest hockey player. She just thinks he's a "beautiful man". I don't see it, but whatever. A few weeks back he signed her jersey. Last week she got a picture with him and a puck signed. This week, she got his game used stick and he signed it after. (The pic of the long blonde haired girl with the big guy is a pic of him signing it)

Link to all the pics

Anyway, here's some pics of the practice and of the stick I had signed.

Rolston, Burns, Bouchard, Koivu, Gaborik

Skoula, Johnsson, Numellin, Foy, Schultz, Harding, Backstrom

Parrish, No Idea, Sheppard, Lemaire, Radivojevic,

Boogard, Carney, Foster, Voros (very light auto, his # is all that shows up)

Jacques Lemaire (Head Coach)

Gaborik

Harding

Harding & Backstrom

MAD · February 23, 2008 10:50PM

Josh -

Nice pics and Happy to hear what a great time you had.

Gaborik is definitely one of the most talented guys around. He probably gets singled out and asked more than anyone else on the team.

As a life long hockey fan I have always said that the majority of hockey players are the most humble professional athletes around.

They are sincere in their love of the game and their respect for their fans.

You gotta love players who understand the two-way street that exists between players and fans.

That interacting and signing autographs for their fans means a lot to the fans and it is part of being a professional athlete. Hockey players seem to enjoy this more than oher athletes.

Obviously I am generalizing and there are exceptions. I just believe that in hockey this is the rule rather than the exception.

MAD

MooseDog · February 24, 2008 9:39AM

Hockey players have always connected with fans better than any other sport played in North America.

Another example, when Joe Thornton got traded to the Sharks he did a local radio show in and the host called him "the most unassuming superstar he'd ever come in contact with". Apparently the host's kid was there and Thornton realized after the interview that his use of chewing tobacco in the studio might have set a bad example for the kid and the host said Thornton apologized "profusely" to him after the interview.

When I was kid in the 1970s I used to get autographs after the Oakland Seals games and in 7 years I only got turned down ONCE (Bob Gassoff, St Louis Blues).

envoy98 · February 24, 2008 9:47AM

Yeah, I didn't see a single autograph or photograph request get turned down. Not a single one.

I've noticed the "fans" are a lot nicer as well. I used to see the old fat guys plowing over little kids to get an autograph and in my two experiences so far, everyone waits for the little kids to get autos and then they get in line. I think the players notice that as well. Just a completely different atmosphere and experience. It definitely makes me more of a fan.

Stone193 · February 24, 2008 10:18AM

Wow Josh - that's incredible - auto's - watching practice - I know nothing about hockey but it looks like a great time!

I used to get to BB games early for the batting practice - this is more involved.

I looked at all your pics and saw this one small - and didn't know what the heck all that black stuff was on the ice - then I realized they were pucks!

I thought someone dropped a whole lotta deuces!

Thanx for sharing
mike

envoy98 · February 24, 2008 12:24PM

Hey Mike,

It was a good time. Like I said in my OP, I'm not a huge hockey fan either, in fact, I don't know half the rules. I cheer when we score and boo when the other team does. I get more excited watching hockey now because I have a couple of relatives who are really getting in to it and meeting the players and watching practice helps a little too.

That picture of all the pucks is kinda funny, there is a pile three times that size in the middle of the group when they started. Probably 75 or so. Takes them about a half-hour to clean them all up. The pic does look like little rabbit turds out there though.

I used to go to the ballpark before baseball games as well. I had good success but I notice a lot of guys using the cell phone tactic and other guys just ignoring the crowds altogether. These guys, in this environment at least, are not like that at all. I do have some good stories of different baseball players signing and interacting with the fans, particularly during bp. Ripken and Sabo were two that I remember during an Orioles visit to Minneapolis. Both were a lot of fun, clowning with the fans and signing until there were no more sigs to sign. (Except mine, but that's another story for another day) lol

Marc said it well when he said the hockey players seem to understand the dynamic and the "two way street" with the fans. I look them in the eye and give a genuine thank you when they sign something and they look you right back in the eye and say you're welcome. Heck, a few even asked if I had anything else I wanted signed. Try getting that from most players in the NFL or MLB. I've not had that experience much.

Stone193 · February 24, 2008 12:28PM

<< <i>Hey Mike,

It was a good time. Like I said in my OP, I'm not a huge hockey fan either, in fact, I don't know half the rules. I cheer when we score and boo when the other team does. I get more excited watching hockey now because I have a couple of relatives who are really getting in to it and meeting the players and watching practice helps a little too.

That picture of all the pucks is kinda funny, there is a pile three times that size in the middle of the group when they started. Probably 75 or so. Takes them about a half-hour to clean them all up. The pic does look like little rabbit turds out there though.

I used to go to the ballpark before baseball games as well. I had good success but I notice a lot of guys using the cell phone tactic and other guys just ignoring the crowds altogether. These guys, in this environment at least, are not like that at all. I do have some good stories of different baseball players signing and interacting with the fans, particularly during bp. Ripken and Sabo were two that I remember during an Orioles visit to Minneapolis. Both were a lot of fun, clowning with the fans and signing until there were no more sigs to sign. (Except mine, but that's another story for another day) lol

Marc said it well when he said the hockey players seem to understand the dynamic and the "two way street" with the fans. I look them in the eye and give a genuine thank you when they sign something and they look you right back in the eye and say you're welcome. Heck, a few even asked if I had anything else I wanted signed. Try getting that from most players in the NFL or MLB. I've not had that experience much. >>

Agree Josh.

And if they do sign - they'll give you one of their worst on the planet!

I wish I were talented enough to play in the majors - make that kind of money - get that kind of attention - and have to SUFFER through giving autographs.

mike

lawnmowerman · February 24, 2008 1:46PM

Josh, I thought I told you to keep your shoes of the table?!

Ahmanfan · February 24, 2008 2:21PM

I've had mostly good luck with NBA players as well. Not as bad as MLB or NFL, but probably NHL is better I would think.
JOhn

envoy98 · February 25, 2008 7:17AM

Matt-Ha. I meant to crop those out of the pic. The stick is on a ledge under my tv and it was kinda dark, so I had to set it on the table below. Besides, you know what they say about guys with small feet! aw crap...wait a minute... I mean, those aren't my shoes.

I went to the MN Wild hockey practice today (Pics)

Comments