New York Islander Fan Fare Saskatoon

The radio claimed that good ole' John Tavares would be there, I have figured him out already, I was 95% sure he would be a no show but he played in Edmonton so maybe... I had my Islander #1 but knew it was a long shot. I saw lots of Tavares jerseys, some older men had to obviously get signed and young boys, just to wear. I felt kinda bad for them, $200 for the jersey. I found the park OK and hiked down to where the tents were. Not many there so I just hung out. A local Islander fan and hound buddy walked up and we started chatting, killing the hour or so wait. The players were late and showed about 5:40 or so. They came down the hill and I looked for some 'name' players, no luck. Dwayne Roloson was the last guy down so we were optimistic. This was the really cool part, there were numerous Alumni around and Clark Gillies, said go find them and chat. We got Trent Klatt right away on my Islander logo, along with Mike Dunham, the Isls goalie coach. However, Mike was chatting with Rolly so we waited and got him on the Team Canada puck. I did not push my luck this time so I did not ask for two. LOL! I asked if he knew if he was playing on Saturday and he said, "No." He found Ken Morrow and began our usual questions, a very large man stood back and Ken grabbed him and said this is Eric Cairns, and then Eric grabbed Trent Klatt and introduced him. So we exchanged introductions and chatted for about 10 minutes with Ken, great person and great alumni. We got more of the young guys but then went looking for more alumni. We got a picture with Butch Goring, did not ask him for an autograph, he would not have remembered us but he did sign already. We waited and got Clark Gillies on a Team Canada puck, chatted for a bit, put my foot in my mouth asking how Colton Gillies was, he said, "Who?" I said your son, he laughed and said he's my second cousin, oops. We walked over and started chattind with Eric Cairns, great guy and we just talked hockey. We walked by the VIP tent and my hound buddy recognized Pat Price so he was next. We got a picture with him and he actually went and got Gerry Hart to pose with us. We went back for the last Isls young guys, and got Jeff Tambellini on a blank puck, good luck getting anything Islanders in this town now. I asked him why he was born in Calgary, he laughed and said his dad was playing the Flames in the first round of the playoffs in Calgary. Neat story I guess. The boys were all rounded up and put back on the bus and we head off. Alumni golf tournament tomorrow am, then the games in Saskatoon this weekend. Wow, I am tired...It was clear that the Alumni was trying to sell a product, hmm John T, do you get this 'game' yet?
On the Islander logo:
#54Tony Romano
#33Scott Munroe
#71Mark Katic
#20Sean Bergenheim
#15Jeff Tambellini
#9 Clark Gillies
#6 Ken Morrow
#2 Pat Price
#4 Gerry Hart
#11Nate Thompson
#67Sean Bentivoglio
#17 Jeremy Reich
#28Tim Jackman
#42Brett Westgarth
#30 GM Garth Snow
Also 2 Player Personal, strength coaches I think
Mike Dunham

Oh, Now This is Getting Fun!

I actually had a dentist appt today to find out I need a root canal this Monday. Ouch, but I will make the most of the day then. Day 3 New York Islander Camp. I was able to see the first group out at 8:00 am, appears to be the rookies going to Prince Albert to play an exhibition game against a local University team. Wasn't too interested to be honest so off to the dentist I went at 9:30. When I got back I met a new hounding buddy who was after some of the alumni. He said Trottier, Nystrom and Gillies were around but left. We noticed Rich Pilon standing by one of the gates, he is a local fellow who came back to Saskatoon where he grew up. I got him as the first on my Islander jersey. Chatted for a bit and off we went to look for more. I did have a chuckle though, he mentioned he was after Roloson and Weight, I didn't say anything for a few minutes, then I said we should go for a small hike. On the way I said who I had got on Sunday and said this was where. More of the early guys parked down in the tunnel, you could get at them but about 50 feet away. We waited for about 20 minutes and out came some of the younger guys, ah if I can not name them, maybe not. Butch Goring walked up the ramp and I approached him, I asked politely and he said, Sure but only if you're not going to sell it." I said I never sell these things. He said then he would be happy to. I even showed my intention by asking if he could personalize it, showing that this is mine. He was happy to sign for me, I thanked him and off he went. Sure enough, 15 minutes later, Trottier, Gillies and Nystrom came out and walked to their van. Someone else was there, cool, Ken Morrow. We approached and asked Bryan first, he said sure and gave each jersey to each of the guys. I managed to ask Nystrom about Eric, I asked how he was and that I was a huge Flames fan and I can't wait until Saturday's game. He said Eric was good and he hoped he played on Saturday. Bryan also signed an old photo of himself and he laughed and said, "Just look at that young stud!" Well, that was Day 3 at the Islander camp. Camp photos will be up tomorrow.

Rick DiPietro Signed 8x10 Photo IP

We approached someone in an Islander jacket for an autograph, he laughed and said he was the equipment guy. He said he was looking for Rick DiPietro, he should be there by now. So we knew he was coming, and we watched for him in the parking lot. Sure enough, 15 mins later, a white SUV drove up with Rick in the driver seat. We were careful about this one, not knowing his history with autograph seekers. We asked from a distance and he said, "Sure". He signed my picture and my friend's stick and we wished him a speedy recovery. Oh yah, and that the equipment guy was looking for him. LOL! He did not say a word about the picture, come on, that is the coolest looking picture I have seen signed in a long time. He was a really down to earth guy, very cool.

Chris Kunitz and the Stanley Cup

After a wild night of hounding and the World Junior game last night, I talked my wife into a 2 hour trip to Regina to see Chris Kunitz and the Cup. We found City Hall easy and maybe 40 people were there. CBC News was there along with various media. I noticed one thing right away, last year when Mike Babcock had the Cup in Saskatoon, there appeared to be more people. Chris wanted a fundraiser toward patient care and treatment at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre. Awesome cause....
There was a short program with some 'I love Regina' gifts for Chris from Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco. This part was really cool, the Cup was put in a tent where someone from the city would take your picture with your camera, so my wife and I got the first one taken, and as I walked away, I kissed it. The lady laughed and said, "That should be your picture!" So I kissed it again and got the picture. We moved to the second tent where Chris was signing. For a $5 donation, you got a picture of Chris with Cup. I donated $20 for 2 pics and Chris signed them both along with two Penguin pucks. I asked for a picture with him and he said, "Sure." We were there by 8:00am for a 9:00am start, to be done and back at the car by 9:30am. Oh yah, a 2 hour drive to get there. But worth it. I will post the pucks here and in my puck blog in the morning.