[CsInMyBlood]

This is so cool.

John Tonelli was my hero when I was a kid.

Came here at the end of the 86-87 season and was devastated to be traded from the Islanders where he was a big part of that dynasty, winning 4 Cups. Murmurs of him being a "cancer" in the dressing room. Messy parting. Glen Sather accused the Islanders of conspiracy by trading JT to the Flames because they were trying to help the Flames beat the Oilers in the playoffs.

John Tonelli put everything behind him fast after putting on a Flames jersey. In the final 9 games of the season he scored 3 goals and had 7 points. He wore the #27 which is my birthday number. He quickly became my favorite.

That's when I learned what a clutch playoff performer was. He simply turned it on. The 86 Cup run saw him score 7 goals and 16 points in 22 games. He also put up 49 penalty minutes. Relentless, tough as nails, all heart, built for 80's playoff hockey. I was in awe.

The following season I was so obsessed I started a scrapbook. I was 13 years old. Cut out every picture I could find of John Tonelli. Articles, hockey cards, a game summaries where he put up a hat trick vs the hated Oilers. Anything I could find.

I was a lucky 13 year old and had access to seasons tickets. After one game a 2&7 camera man asked my friend and I if we wanted to meet the Flames. He told us to pick up ticket stubs that littered the Dome stands so we had something for the players to sign.

We met and got autographs from the team. Four Flames stood out above and beyond to me that awesome night of meeting them all.

Joel Otto, Gary Roberts, Tim Hunter and John Tonelli. Each of those guys gave us extra time, answering all of our questions, just being awesome to a couple of kids.

I asked John Tonelli if I came back another time with my scrapbook if he would be ok with signing it for me. He laughed, asked me my name and said bring it, I'd love to see it.

It was about 3 weeks later that I got the tickets to the game. Brought my scrapbook. Flames starting coming out of the dressing room and I had bought a Flames magazine to get players to sign it. Kept looking for Tonelli, he was nowhere to be seen. Guys coming out signing my magazine. Asked Al MacInnis if Tonelli was still in the dressing room. He said, I think Johns gone already. I was crushed.

Then I heard someone calling my name. I turned and it was John Freaking Tonelli calling me by MY name and waiving me over. He was with a tall blond who he introduced as his wife Karen. He asked if he could check out my book. He and his wife flipped through it, laughing with me. He asked where I wanted him to sign it. I said everywhere. So he literally did, every page, talking to me the entire time. I had 16 John Tonelli signatures in that beloved scrapbook. Sadly, years later it was lost in a basement flood. But I still remember every page.

I met him a couple more times after games and he always remembered my name, always gave me his time, was pure class. It does not surprise me at all that he is in full support of Anders Lee wearing his #27 even though its being retired. That's the Mr. Tonelli I know.

I blame him for my undying love of hockey and the Calgary Flames. Haven't heard much about him for a long time, so its really cool to hear this news.

Way to go John, you are my hero.