Hockey Heroes

Every player, every fan has their hockey hero. Maybe the hero had a shot that could not be stopped. Maybe denfense is more your style and you look up to those who manned the blue line. Or maybe you look up to those crazy guys who have pucked fired at them at breakneck speeds. Hockey has produced some great players to look up to.

Wickenheiser & Campbell www.cbc.ca

I of course have my favourite players. I love Hayley Wickenheiser and Cassie Campbell. They, and all the members of the Canadian Women's hockey team have done a lot to promote hockey for girls. Girls hockey is growing at a great speed and the skill is amazing. When I was a girl, there weren't hockey leagues for girls where I grew up. It was hard for a girl to play in boys hockey - my fav movie Hockey Night was all about that. Today, leagues are popping up and growing all over.  Within an hours drive from my house there are at least 10 Girls hockey associations. It is an amazing opportunity for girls to be able to play with their peers, to be part of a team and play our game.

On the male side of hockey I have a number of players from the NHL that I admire - and not just for their playing ability but for things they have done for their communities and for promoting hockey. Bobby Hull is one of those players. He had a summer house where I grew up and he often came out to support charity events - talk to the crowds and sign autographs. He came to the dedications ceremony for our new ball field and high fived me as I came into home on my home run. It was a little thing but it made my day. I love watching Sidney Crosby, and I loved watching Messier, Gretzky and Lemiuex. But right now my favs and just starting out. I call them my boyz, because I'm that old.
 Most of them I started watching them at the World Junior Championships. For whatever reason I felt a connection watching them.

Eberle 5.4  tsn.ca

My first boy is Jordan Eberle. When he tied the game 2009 against Russia with 5.4 seconds left in the semi-final World Jr. game I sprang from the couch - launching my sleepy son across the room. I knew right then Canada would be victorious in the overtime period and my boy came through again. That year, along with Eberle, Taylor Hall joined my list.

Domi loving the game tsn.ca

At this years tournament, Max Domi smiled his way onto my list. Whether he was hitting or getting hit he always had a smile on his face. Then there was the goals. That tongue - what a goof. He looked like he truly enjoys playing the game which made me enjoy watching him play.

But one of my favourite hero of all time is not a player at all; but a dad - Walter Gretzky. In his youth he was a skilled hockey player but at 5'9" he was considered too small. His son - Wayne is considered by many to be the greatest hockey player ever - has credited the coaching he got from his dad for his success. So why is he my hero? He loves the game. He has lent his name to many tournaments and he comes and watches the kids play. He talks to them, coaches them and signs autographs and smiles happily at getting his picture taken with them. Wayne has been out of the NHL for a long time and yet Walter probably has as much of a following as his superstar son - maybe more.

Walter Gretzky & I - 2008 WTEBC

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gretzky in 2008. I was participating in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60km walk. My team and I finished and were waiting in the holding area for the closing ceremonies. My friend Elaine - who is not a hockey person - but I love her anyway - spotted him and said "Isn't that Gretzky's dad?" May friend Sharon and I squealed  "Oh my God, YES!" After deliberating whether we should approach him or not we finally did and I am so glad I did. For two hours I talked hockey with him. Hockey, his daughter who was walking as well (that is why he was there, to congratulate her when she finished), his sons and grandchildren, my children, etc. were all topics we covered. Our conversations were interrupted by other fans wanting pictures but he returned to our conversation every time. I was surprised that he stuck around but he's just that cool. He is funny and a bit of a cad - he definitely loved the ladies fawning over him. Despite his fame, he is a pretty normal guy - proud of his children and loving life. He is a big supporter of his community, CNIB and minor hockey.  My daughter is playing in the Walter Gretzky Tournament this March. I hope I see him again.