Nice Gretzky Story for Hockey Fans

[deltachi8]

Just thought I would pass this on, I got a kick out of it this morning. Danny Gare was doing his weekly radio show this morning and told a story about playing with Gretzky while trying out for the Canada Cup team in 85 or so.

Gare was battling for a roster spot and Canada was playing the Russians in an exhibition. Tied 2-2 in the third, Gare was sent out on a line with Gretzky with a faceoff in the Russian zone.

Before the faceoff, Gretzky went to Gare and told him the Russian Golatender (Tretyak?) was out challenging Gretzky high each time he had the puck. Go set up to the side, I'll win the draw and get the puck to you.

Gretzky wins the draw, the goalie comes out on him, he feathers a pass over to Gare who has an open net, Gare hits the crossbar and the puck lands out of play. Gare skates off swearing at himself for missing the open net.

They get to the bench and Gretzky leans over to Gare and say "Sorry about that pass." Gare looks at him in disbelief and Gretzky went on to say the puck fluttered off his stick and went at a 60 degree angle, etc, etc.

Gare looked back at him, still not believing that Wayne was apologizing to him and said "Don't let it (expletive) happen again."

Funny story, and shows the perfectionist of Gretzky. Just wanted to share.

[westofyou]

Funny story, and shows the perfectionist of Gretzky. Just wanted to share.

Thanks, last night the Canes and the Flyers were in a shootout and Ray Whitney was bantering with a Flyers fan about the location he was going to go on the net, the fan indicated that he would blow it and should go high.... Ray nodded and thumbed up the guy.

Then he did just that.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Great story, delta. Nice to read that in what seems to be a T.O.-type sports world at times.

The Great One nickname seems to mean more than just a great hockey player.

[Redsland]

I went to school with Rob Blake, who skated on Gretzky's line as a rookie and for years thereafter.

"The Great One" wasn't 19 anymore and had already stamped his ticket to the HoF, but he never stopped working. After all, he was Dave Taylor's Assistant Captain.

[westofyou]

I went to school with Rob Blake, who skated on Gretzky's line as a rookie and for years thereafter.

Of the Aves?

He's a defensmen... damn good too.

[Redsland]

The same. BGSU alum.

[Sean_CaseyRules]

That was a great story, thanks for sharing Deltachi8!

[gonelong]

The same. BGSU alum.

Yep, I was at BGSU the same time frame.

GL

[Redsland]

Then the name "Nelson Emerson" should stir warm memories, as well.

[Heath]

Then the name "Nelson Emerson" should stir warm memories, as well.

He was a former Hartford Whaler....sigh...

I loved the Whale.

[Redsland]

He'll always be a St.L. Blue to me. They're the ones who drafted the little guy.

Feeling nostalgic, I dropped by the BG web site today. I was shocked and saddened to hear that Marc Potvin was found dead last week at 38.

He was a god to every hockey loving fool at BG, and that pretty much described everyone I knew.

[M2]

I got but three words to say about Bowling Green hockey -

George Freakin' McPhee

[M2]

On a completely separate note, I just learned that the 1978-79 Cincinnati Stingers had, in addition to team star Robbie Ftorek, a trio of kids named Mike Liut, Mike Gartner and Mark Messier.

Great teams have been built around less.

[westofyou]

On a completely separate note, I just learned that the 1978-79 Cincinnati Stingers had, in addition to team star Robbie Ftorek, a trio of kids named Mike Liut, Mike Gartner and Mark Messier.

Great teams have been built around less.

Loved that team, I had season tickets.

Bill DeWitt Jr. owned the Stingers and the facility too.

[gonelong]

Then the name "Nelson Emerson" should stir warm memories, as well.

I have been told I am a fool, but I didn't attend a single hockey game in the 5 years I was at BGSU. I have total apathy towards hockey.

I preferred to follow the football, basketball, and club rugby teams. I knew 4-5 guys on the football team, just liked basketball, and knew about a donzen guys on the rugby team so I had some rooting interest there.

But, I read the school newspaper every day, so I know who Nelson Emerson was/is.

GL