Nicest and rudest NHLers you've met - Page 6 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Table 5 · 03-19-2011, 08:16 AM

How do you guys meet all these people? I've only ever met one NHLer (if you can call him that, it was that schlub Rocky Thompson) and even that was like a 3 second encounter when i sold him his popcorn at the theatre.

It is pretty funny how some people peg a guy as a jerk because he wouldnt enter a big conversation with them at the grocery store. I'm pretty sure I'd start ignoring people too if they kept interrupting every mundane task of my life.

return to the red · 03-19-2011, 08:46 AM

I guess I would add all the players that I met at the Flames poker tournament.

McBackup was a super nice guy and very humble. Sitting beside him and talking to him for quite sometime he seems to have a really level head about hockey and his life. From that night also I met Aaron Johnson after I knocked him out and took his jersey. Sat also between Iggy and Lundmark and both were really great individuals, Conny as well.

The thing that always amazes me is the patience that Iginla has around fans. The guy was out to have a good time like everyone else and people were just pestering him left and right. It was annoying the hell out of me, I really don't know how the guy does it.

The one player I have yet to meet but would love to and is my all-time fav Flame is Joe Mullen. He was at the Flames Alumni Golf Tournament and I just couldn't bring myself to approach him

CofR · 03-19-2011, 09:24 AM

Iginla is by far the nicest NHL player I have ever met, very friendly and engaging in conversation. Mike Fisher and Matt Carkner are also incredibly friendly and seem to always take to time to talk with fans. I ran into the Sedin brothers and Raffi Torres this year, they were very nice and seemed to enjoy having a conversation with me. I met Brendan Morrison last month at the mall and he was really nice to me, very friendly to everyone who wanted to talk to him.

The only really negative experience I've had with an NHL player was Nigel Dawes, I saw him at a bar last year after the season had just ended and he simply ignored me when I tried to introduce myself.

stang · 03-19-2011, 09:26 AM

Stortini is easily the nicest guy I ever met. Out at a bar and the guy just kept giving me hugs all night.

On second thought.... He mighta been trying to kick my ass...

jlh2640 · 03-19-2011, 09:27 AM

I have no idea why most of you think Regehr is a ######.

I met him in July of 2004. I was at a bar at the time called New Yorx in Regina. I all of sudden noticed this huge guy as he was so much bigger and taller then everyone lol. Then I realized it was Regehr. I walked up to him and chatted for a bit. It was very loud in there however he was very friendly and talked with me. I told him I was a huge Flames fan from the 90's on and not a bandwagon jumper. He laughed and said "Ya there were allot of those ". We then talked about how close they came and he vowed they would be back. I then asked him about his ankle that was rumoured to be hurt in the cup run and asked if he would be able to go at the World Cup. He lifted his jeans to show a walking boot and said he would be good to go lol. It was awesome to meet him out of the blue like that.

bossy22 · 03-19-2011, 09:29 AM

I've met quite a few players. The nicest would have to be Lafontaine and Roenick. The worst were Ray Ferraro and Jagr.

My brother is a GM of a restaurant in town. He's said the nicest he's met where Iggy and Georges Laraque.

Papi34 · 03-19-2011, 09:38 AM

When i was younger i used to go down to the players bench for every single pre-game warmup with cards and jersey in hand for autographs.

I quickly learned the guys who would sign and who wouldnt so before the game my dad would take me to a card shop and buy me a card for every guy who signed.

I have 86 signed Jarome Iginla cards, nicest guy every took the time to actually ask my name and every time he would see me he'd be like hey anthony, how are ya, how many cards today! What a thrill for a young kid like i was back in the day

Got 54 Craig Conroy cards. What can you say about Craig just great guy.

Other guys who signed all the time, regehr, brathwaite, gauthier, mcammond, morris

Probably my favorite memory was back when Dany Heatley was on Atlanta i went to the visitors side hoping he would sign my card but had no expectations as opposing players rarely signed. Not only did he stop to sign it, he invited me and my dad into the dressing room after the game, just to cool of gesture from a hockey player who i had never met.

malcolmk14 · 03-19-2011, 09:47 AM

Every time Heatley comes to town, I see him down at the visitors bench before warmups chatting with kids and signing cards, jerseys, whatever. Never met him myself but seems like he takes the time for fans when he can.

Tyler · 03-19-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Every time Heatley comes to town, I see him down at the visitors bench before warmups chatting with kids and signing cards, jerseys, whatever. Never met him myself but seems like he takes the time for fans when he can.

Could also be that this is his hometown and maybe his mommy is watching

hillspeak · 03-19-2011, 10:23 AM

Back in the day, at the dome you used to be able to go in the Zamboni entrance after the games and the dome had a small area to get autographs.

Well one of the worst things I saw was when Bill Lindsay played here. All the guys would stop and sign on the way to their cars. Bill comes around the corner sees that there was about 30 to 40 people.. Rolls is eyes and sighs.. then as kids started asking him he goes "I'l be back, going to start my car." In a very snotty tone of voice. He never did come back.

Meanwhile Freddie and Iggy stood there for probably 1/2 hour taking pictures, signing autographs and laughing with people.

I would not say Jay Bo is rude but more shy. Getting an autograph from him last year was one of the most awkward autographs I have gotten. Was at the Molson Star luncheon and I asked him for an autograph he never said yes or no.. I had a sharpie but lent to a guy next to me getting Bourque's. When I said to Jay "Rene has my pen right now" jokingly he still stood there no words..Rene proceeded to chat with the guy while holding my pen making for an extended wait. Jay would not make eye contact while we waited. When finally got the sharpie and he signed I said thank you and he just nodded.

Again I would not say he is rude, just very shy which is no surprise to anyone.

kipperfan · 03-19-2011, 10:24 AM

Despite stories otherwise, I met Phanuef in a bar on 17th back in 2007 and he was awesome. Let me sit down and chat with him and his buddy for a couple minutes, we talked about the team and he even saw my camera and asked if I wanted to get a picture with him which I thought was pretty cool. Also had a great experience with Sandy McCarthy as a kid, my Dad somehow (knew someone at Hockey Canada I think) got us down to ice level for a practise and back to the dressing room area afterwards. Sandy was so cool, he not only signed a few things for me and talked with us for a while, he brought me over to the bench (this was at the end of the practise, only a few guys on the ice) and showed me a few puck tricks! He was pretty darn good too, Sandy McCarthy of all people! Gary Roberts was also a really nice guy as was Theo. Nieuwendyk walked right past me without looking, never liked him after that. Met a few others as well that day but with it being about 18 years ago I dont remember them all!

bc-chris · 03-19-2011, 10:48 AM

this didn't happen to me, but to one of my buddies that i play hockey with...

it was a couple years ago - he was down in Hawaii during the all star break, taking in some rays on restaurant patio. one of the waitresses comes up to him and brings him another beer. he's confused becuz he didn't order one. that's when she motions to another guy on the patio and says that he sent it over. he looks over and the other guy waves to him. he's still pretty confused so he goes over to talk. the other guy introduces himself as jordin and says that he liked his team canada ball cap. they talk for a bit and my buddy asked him something like, "jordin, you look really familiar, but i just can't place where i would know you from." he smiled and said that he plays hockey... that's when my buddy figured it out.... "you're jordin tootoo!" my buddy exclaimed! it was a few hours and numerous beers later that they both went on their separate ways.

pretty cool!

CSharp · 03-19-2011, 10:52 AM

I think I've met Tim Hunter before when I was working at the Stampede grounds during my highschool days one summer. At first I couldn't tell if the guy was Tim Hunter or Reinhart because both guys are pretty ugly looking, but I finally realized it was Tim only because of his nose. Anyway, he's a huge guy and looks really intimidating, but it turns out that he was a pretty nice guy when he said hi to me.

CGY12 · 03-19-2011, 10:59 AM

An interesting story I have is when I was in Vegas back in may of 09. I was at tryst night club sitting in my booth when this lady had mentioned to my cousin that her son was from calgary. He instantly grabbed me and I began to talk to her, to prove to her I was from calgary I showed her the Flames logo backround on my phone. Amazingly she starts telling me how her son, Dustin Boyd, plays on the Flames. So she asks me if I want to talk to him, I'm like sure. She takes out her phone and calls him, sure enough I talk to him for about minute.

kirant · 03-19-2011, 11:01 AM

Nicest: Iginla, Lanny. Both are great guys and Lanny seemed to be willing to get a few autographs and a nice conversation in while shopping with his wife (though I'm not sure that was just a way to avoid having to walk around shopping....)
Rudest: Phaneuf. To be fair, I really haven't met any "rude" ones. It's just that you can tell Phaneuf is a bit more introverted and doesn't feel as comfortable around fans.

killer_carlson · 03-19-2011, 11:02 AM

the scariest dude who I ran into (but didn't really talk to) in person was Berube during his first stint in town. It was at Southcenter Movie Theatres and not only was he ripped, he looked downright mean. Definately a guy you'd want if you were heading into a bar fight. He wasn't rude or angry or mean, but you could tell that when he did get angry, you'd be in trouble.

the other guy who caught me off guard with just how big he is/was is Laraque. I'm no shrinking violet myself, but he came into my office tower and road the elevator up to one of the law firms. He was enormous. Huge, huge arms, taller than I realized, and just an overall giant human being. I didn't talk to Laraque as there were a bunch of people in the elevator and he'd just been in the papers for wrecking his car or something

dissentowner · 03-19-2011, 11:04 AM

Hmmm, so I have pointed out in the past that others have said Regehr has an attitude problem and I get severly dogpiled on for it yet this thread seems to indicate that may be the case. Of course the fact that I say he is a great defensive d man all the time apparently still makes me the "Regehr hater". Can we put that crap to bed now?
Anyhow I grew up with the Thornton's in St. Thomas, am very good friends with Alex Thornton but hung out with Joe a lot too, really funny and a great guy! I really hope he can bring the cup back to St.T one day. I went fishing with Aaron Gavey once down in Port Stanley, one of my co-workers at the times wife was his cousin. Nice guy, couldn't play hockey worth a crap though.

killer_carlson · 03-19-2011, 11:07 AM

Oh geeze, I totally forgot about Rocky Thompson.

I met him as well. One of the more well spoken hockey players or atheletes I've ever met. I met his brothers as well. It was at Inner City Boxing Club when he was on the Flames and he was training in the summer. Long story, good boxer, I'm not.

Hockey · 03-19-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CofR

Iginla is by far the nicest NHL player I have ever met, very friendly and engaging in conversation.

Im sure you guys have probably heard this story, but I have always had much respect for Iginla when i heard this story(all facts might not be accurate)

A few guys from Calgary drove down to Salt Lake City to watch the hockey games during the olympics. They were just sleeping their car for the times they were there. Those guys later saw Iginla at a restaurant and went over to him introduced themselves and told him what they were doing so Iginla immediately got them a hotel room for the next few nights and paid for their bill at the restaurant.

Simon96Taco · 03-19-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

I missed the word "killer" the first time I read that...Very different meaning that way.

Ahaha, and I flipped the words around and read "killer weed". Also quite humorous.