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GoFlamesGo · 02-01-2017, 06:39 PM

DAY 2 recap: Saturday

Action packed day. We met up with our NHL host at 10am and attended the players Red Carpet Entrance and had access to the Media Scrum. Our host seemed to know and have a close relationship with a lot of the players so she was able to stop a lot of them to take pics of us. It was very cool. I have a new found respect for the following players: Marchand, Rask, McDonagh, Simmons, Burns, and Gaudreau. We were in a roped off section with about 100 kids. Of all the All-Stars, they were the only players to take their time and stop to sign autographs for every kid. Tuukka Rask went above and beyond. Not only did he signed autographs for every kid, he took the time to initiate conversations with everyone and let each kid take a selfie with him. He was there by himself forever. Amazing guy.

Most players signed a few autographs and gave every kid a high-five. Funny story, as Taylor Hall entered the room, all the kids got super excited and started chanting McDavid (thinking he was McDavid). Hall wasn't very pleased lol. Big thumbs down to McDavid and Matthews. They purposely took the long way around and walked on the far side of the hallway and ignored all the kids. I heard a few NHL reps whisper how Gordie Howe would roll over in his grave if he saw that. Shame on you McDavid and Matthews. You would think the younger players would relish and appreciate these kind of moments more then the veterans who've been doing it for so long.

I emailed the Flames told them I was going to the All-Star game and they set-up a meet and greet with Gaudreau! A group of about dozen Flames fans met up with him to get autographs and pics. Very nice and polite guy and was happy to see the C of Red in LA. We made a brief cameo on the Flames' Instagram Stories and Flames TV.

After that, we attended the Skills Competition. In addition to our tickets, we got hospitality passes that allowed us to go to a private area in the building that served free food and open bar. The Skills Competition was fun. Kings fans are very knowledgeable and know they hockey. Had great conversations with everyone sitting around us.

Immediately after the game, we got tickets to the Saturday Night NHL Party. The league went full out on the private party. Beautiful venue and tons of free food and open bar everywhere. Snoop Dogg and Blink 182 took turns performing on the stage.

DAY 3 recap: Sunday
Best. Day Ever!

We got access to the Sunday Brunch at NHL Fan Fair. It was closed off to the general public. Again free food and open bar everywhere. Lots of hockey related activities and you could take pics with the Stanley Cup and all the trophies. After that, we got to meet the NHL Network crew. They were just about to go on-air so we didn't stay long.

After that, our NHL host took us into Staples Center and we got another behind the scenes tour on game-day. As we walked by the players locker room, we saw a bunch of people wearing jerseys. Our initial thought was fans wearing a bunch of vintage jerseys of some of the greats. As we got closer, we were shocked to see it was actually the 100 greatest players wearing their own jerseys! They were all just standing around mingling waiting to be introduced on the ice. It blew our minds! There was no one else there except us and a film crew. We hung around and talked to a handful of legends and managed to get pics with Orr, Sakic, Yzerman, LaFontaine, Lindros, Lidstrom and Nieuwendyk (in a Flames jersey)! It was a surreal experience. We were geeking out hard! After that, we went to our seats and watched the All-Star game. Immediately after the game, we were escorted to the media room and MPV Simmons came in and answered a bunch of questions.

Not sure how to post Instagram video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8g5tuB...raytravelsfree

We're back in Calgary now and still gushing about how we somehow got to hang out and meet all GOATs. Best weekend ever. Thanks to SPG, NHL and Flames for an unbelievable experience.

02-01-2017, 06:39 PM	#38
GoFlamesGo First Line Centre Join Date: Jul 2003 Exp:	DAY 2 recap: Saturday Action packed day. We met up with our NHL host at 10am and attended the players Red Carpet Entrance and had access to the Media Scrum. Our host seemed to know and have a close relationship with a lot of the players so she was able to stop a lot of them to take pics of us. It was very cool. I have a new found respect for the following players: Marchand, Rask, McDonagh, Simmons, Burns, and Gaudreau. We were in a roped off section with about 100 kids. Of all the All-Stars, they were the only players to take their time and stop to sign autographs for every kid. Tuukka Rask went above and beyond. Not only did he signed autographs for every kid, he took the time to initiate conversations with everyone and let each kid take a selfie with him. He was there by himself forever. Amazing guy. Most players signed a few autographs and gave every kid a high-five. Funny story, as Taylor Hall entered the room, all the kids got super excited and started chanting McDavid (thinking he was McDavid). Hall wasn't very pleased lol. Big thumbs down to McDavid and Matthews. They purposely took the long way around and walked on the far side of the hallway and ignored all the kids. I heard a few NHL reps whisper how Gordie Howe would roll over in his grave if he saw that. Shame on you McDavid and Matthews. You would think the younger players would relish and appreciate these kind of moments more then the veterans who've been doing it for so long. I emailed the Flames told them I was going to the All-Star game and they set-up a meet and greet with Gaudreau! A group of about dozen Flames fans met up with him to get autographs and pics. Very nice and polite guy and was happy to see the C of Red in LA. We made a brief cameo on the Flames' Instagram Stories and Flames TV. After that, we attended the Skills Competition. In addition to our tickets, we got hospitality passes that allowed us to go to a private area in the building that served free food and open bar. The Skills Competition was fun. Kings fans are very knowledgeable and know they hockey. Had great conversations with everyone sitting around us. Immediately after the game, we got tickets to the Saturday Night NHL Party. The league went full out on the private party. Beautiful venue and tons of free food and open bar everywhere. Snoop Dogg and Blink 182 took turns performing on the stage. DAY 3 recap: Sunday Best. Day Ever! We got access to the Sunday Brunch at NHL Fan Fair. It was closed off to the general public. Again free food and open bar everywhere. Lots of hockey related activities and you could take pics with the Stanley Cup and all the trophies. After that, we got to meet the NHL Network crew. They were just about to go on-air so we didn't stay long. After that, our NHL host took us into Staples Center and we got another behind the scenes tour on game-day. As we walked by the players locker room, we saw a bunch of people wearing jerseys. Our initial thought was fans wearing a bunch of vintage jerseys of some of the greats. As we got closer, we were shocked to see it was actually the 100 greatest players wearing their own jerseys! They were all just standing around mingling waiting to be introduced on the ice. It blew our minds! There was no one else there except us and a film crew. We hung around and talked to a handful of legends and managed to get pics with Orr, Sakic, Yzerman, LaFontaine, Lindros, Lidstrom and Nieuwendyk (in a Flames jersey)! It was a surreal experience. We were geeking out hard! After that, we went to our seats and watched the All-Star game. Immediately after the game, we were escorted to the media room and MPV Simmons came in and answered a bunch of questions. Not sure how to post Instagram video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8g5tuB...raytravelsfree We're back in Calgary now and still gushing about how we somehow got to hang out and meet all GOATs. Best weekend ever. Thanks to SPG, NHL and Flames for an unbelievable experience.