How do you have relations to the NHL

[Ed.]

I took down, drycleaned and pressed Craig Wolanin's drapes while he was playing for the Leafs. Yep. That's the best I've got.

The conversation between my boss and Wolanin was pretty great though. He was renting the house, so the name on the invoice was his landlord. My boss knew he played for the Leafs, but didn't know who he was.

"So ummm...You play for the Leafs right?"
"Yup."
"And who are you again?"
"I'm Craig Wolanin."
"Oh...Oh yeah! We got you from Jersey in the Gilmour trade!"
"No. From Tampa."
"Oh, yeah. And you play wing right?"
"No. Defence."
"Oh."

Fortunately I was on a ladder with my back turned so I was able to hide most of my laughter.

[Ed.]

I am currently starting goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Then you are phenomenally thick-skinned, considering the bashing you've taken on here over the years!

[rainydrinkwater]

Definitely some entertaining stories in this thread so far. Looking forward to hearing more.

[The Bottlenecker]

My brother used to work at the Canucks arena (then GM Place), and actually was behind Ryan Miller's net when Crosby scored the golden goal in 2010. He was then one of the first guys on the ice rolling out the red carpet. He met countless NHL stars both past and present (Crosby, Selanne, Koivu, Luongo, Coffey, Getzlaf ) and was given a pair of Patrick Kane's hockey pants and Peter Stastny's hockey stick by American GM, Jim Rutherford (Carolina's GM at the time). My brother's job included cleaning out the American locker room, when Rutherford came in an told the guys there to take a couple of things so my brother did. Rutherford also offered him a job in Carolina, but he declined.

One of my buddies from Newfoundland stood in Danny Cleary's wedding, and is best friends with him. He recently texted that he, Cleary, Ryan Clowe and Teddy Purcell were out on the town in St. John's and that the bar tab was running into the $1000s.

I played blackjack with Canadiens legend Guy Lapointe at the Halifax Casino. He admitted to me that his grandson, just a little guy I think, was a Leafs fan. Great story! Very personable guy.

[dooley89]

Awesome thread so far!

One relation and two acquaintances!

Great Uncle Cliff Koroll (Grandpa's bro)
My dad had just got his '365' license back in the day (1976 to be exact) and took his little brother (My Uncle) down to the gardens to watch their uncle play (Cliff Koroll), They usually got tickets when the Hawks were in the area and they ended up chatting with a couple of the guys afterwards and it carried on for so long that a bunch of the guys from the Hawks missed their bus back to the Royal York Hotel! My Dad actually left his brother at the gardens so he could drive Koroll, Esposito, Hull and Mikita to the hotel! I remember hearing the story and seeing pictures at a very young age and although Cliff never lived close to us I have been able to join him quite a few times in the Alumni Suite at the United Center for Hawks games as he is currently the President of the Blackhawks Alumni Association

One of my buddies is Ray Emery's step brother, he did his law practicum nearby and always gets brand new gear and jerseys whenever Ray switches teams haha.

Dan Carcillo's mom works for my mom and when she saw that some of my engagement photos had the wife and I in Blackhawks jerseys she got me a bunch of stuff from the 2013 cup win (game towels, hats, autographed pictures etc)!

[smoothfun]

My spouses' manager was drafted by the Canadians yrs. ago , Darren Baker.
The principal at the school I clean was drafted as well , Miles Page.

One of our teachers wife is cousins with The Smith boys , Branden and Riley.
They get together in Cape Breton durring the summer.

Another friend of mine works at the local radio station and has met many sports stars , including NHL players.
Nice to hear his stories from time to time.

[Bass56]

I am currently starting goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.

You are Roman Cechmanek?

[Dutch]

awesome stories guys! love reading em all!

[TeamRamrod]

My Grandfather worked with Bobby Hull in his post hockey career. I met him at a rodeo. He was an ass.
Wayne Gretzky signed a puck for me when I was in grade school. My father caught an errant puck at an Oil Kings game and gave it to me. Wayne was sitting two rows behind us and offered to sign it. It still sits behind my desk.
Jeff Friesen went to my school. He beat the tar out of some dink at my high school between classes. It was over pretty quick.
I got stuck driving Eddie Shore around for a charity event. He was awesome.
I had drinks with Wendel Clark and Joey Kocur at a bar in Kelvington. Too drunk to appreciate it.
My Sport Chek rec team had Paul Buczkowski (undrafted/played in Europe), Frank Banham (Ana), Greg Phillips (LA). Roydon Gunn (NYI), and Cory Sarich (Cal). We never lost.
I helped put a Thule rack on Curtis Lecyshyns Yukon. He was very nice and signed cards for us.
I was introduced to Gordie Howe at a classmates funeral just after grade twelve grad. Poor circumstances, but he was very gracious.
One of the most memorable was water sliding at a hotel with my kids and Haley Wickenheiser and her daughter (party). Weird, but fun, (Oddly enough the Black Eyed Peas were in the hot tub at the same time (I can't make this up)).
If I drop my kids off at school, I always see Scott Scissons (NYI 3rd overall) doing the same.
The street I live on has/had 14 kids in the WHL. My yard (1/4 acre) was the one of choice for shinny games. These included the Schenn brothers among others.
My house backs the Armstrongs. Parents of Colby and Riley.
My sons Timbits squad had a guest coach one weekend. Jordan Eberle. I didn't know who he was. He was with the Pats, pre WJHC glory. His cousin played on the squad.
I've crossed paths with a few players and coaches at work functions (Jarome Iginla, Andrew Ference, Chris Osgood, Alex Tanguay (his head is huge), Mike Babcock, etc.)
Sat in the Denver airport coming back from Vegas reading THN with Hossa on the cover (Redwing days). I look up and Zetterberg, Franzen and Kronwall are all sitting across from me. They were in Vegas for the All-Star break. They all signed my THN mag.
I work David Clarksons uncle. He snagged me a Brodeur signed pic from his days with the Devils.
I've never thought about the question before. It is kind of cool to think of some of the elbows we've rubbed. I'm sure there are a few I've forgotten.

Good stories, keep them coming.

[Dutch]

My Grandfather worked with Bobby Hull in his post hockey career. I met him at a rodeo. He was an ass.
Wayne Gretzky signed a puck for me when I was in grade school. My father caught an errant puck at an Oil Kings game and gave it to me. Wayne was sitting two rows behind us and offered to sign it. It still sits behind my desk.
Jeff Friesen went to my school. He beat the tar out of some dink at my high school between classes. It was over pretty quick.
I got stuck driving Eddie Shore around for a charity event. He was awesome.
I had drinks with Wendel Clark and Joey Kocur at a bar in Kelvington. Too drunk to appreciate it.
My Sport Chek rec team had Paul Buczkowski (undrafted/played in Europe), Frank Banham (Ana), Greg Phillips (LA). Roydon Gunn (NYI), and Cory Sarich (Cal). We never lost.
I helped put a Thule rack on Curtis Lecyshyns Yukon. He was very nice and signed cards for us.
I was introduced to Gordie Howe at a classmates funeral just after grade twelve grad. Poor circumstances, but he was very gracious.
One of the most memorable was water sliding at a hotel with my kids and Haley Wickenheiser and her daughter (party). Weird, but fun, (Oddly enough the Black Eyed Peas were in the hot tub at the same time (I can't make this up)).
If I drop my kids off at school, I always see Scott Scissons (NYI 3rd overall) doing the same.
The street I live on has/had 14 kids in the WHL. My yard (1/4 acre) was the one of choice for shinny games. These included the Schenn brothers among others.
My house backs the Armstrongs. Parents of Colby and Riley.
My sons Timbits squad had a guest coach one weekend. Jordan Eberle. I didn't know who he was. He was with the Pats, pre WJHC glory. His cousin played on the squad.
I've crossed paths with a few players and coaches at work functions (Jarome Iginla, Andrew Ference, Chris Osgood, Alex Tanguay (his head is huge), Mike Babcock, etc.)
Sat in the Denver airport coming back from Vegas reading THN with Hossa on the cover (Redwing days). I look up and Zetterberg, Franzen and Kronwall are all sitting across from me. They were in Vegas for the All-Star break. They all signed my THN mag.
I work David Clarksons uncle. He snagged me a Brodeur signed pic from his days with the Devils.
I've never thought about the question before. It is kind of cool to think of some of the elbows we've rubbed. I'm sure there are a few I've forgotten.

Good stories, keep them coming.

4

holy crap, you take the cake

[TeamRamrod]

4

holy crap, you take the cake

Simply, growing up in a in a hockey hot bed. Its part of the culture.

[Dutch]

Simply, growing up in a in a hockey hot bed. Its part of the culture.

yeah Tazmania is known for its superstars haha!

[theIceWookie]

My cousin is very good friends with James Reimer. Met him at church and stayed friends. His brother (Reimer) also used to work for my Dad.

I also play ball hockey in the summers against Casey Cizikas and Steve Mason. The same league that Mason broke his finger in the summer haha.

I was also friends and worked with Stu Percy's youngest sister. Met him before he was drafted, didn't make the connection until later.