At the World Junior Game, Team USA vs Team Switzerland, we were there to watch before our shift started. We did our usual wandering around during intermissions and I spotted Gelinas just standing around. I approached him asking if I could bother him for an autograph. He said sure and signed my Team Canada puck. I explained I run a hockey memorabilia blog, not selling just collecting. He asked me what my most valuable item was. I said I got Tavares on a jersey this summer. He said he started collecting when he got into the league. He got sticks from the bigs like Gretzky, Messier and others. Then he got married had three kids and now no room in the house. We chatted for a bit longer and I thanked him. BTW, I asked him again if the puck was in in 04 and he said he thought it was. Flames fans get that one, still hurts a bit. I got the impression he would have chatted for a bit and I walked off. Will chat about Tambellini later.
Marty's a class act. I got to know him while he was here in N. C. and have stayed in touch with him over the years. He does have quite a big collection...I remember him getting a stick from Mario Lemieux after the Canes played Pittsburgh one year. Super guy - a fan favorite everywhere he's played.
ReplyDeleteSaw him again today as he headed into the scouts lounge, not like him, usually with everyone else.
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