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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 17, 2011 11:22:41 GMT -5
Dis, it was so damn cool. I'm tripping over my tongue, telling him what a thrill it is to meet him. "The pleasure is mine" he says. Wow. I wish my Dad was there with me. Larry was equally cool. Looks great, he could lace them up tomorrow and play on the 2nd pairing in Montreal. I now have two very cool autographed pictures for the man cave. I can only imagine. I met and talked to Ivan Cournoyer a few years back. He liked talking about '72. But, if you noticed, all of them are very humble men from a different era. They'll talk to you regardless who you are; they live by "never above you, never below you and always beside you." Unfortunately, we're losing too many of these people and with them their values, morals and attitudes. Cheers. (as an aside, not all alumni are like this. Phil Esposito was at an autograph show a few years back and the first thing out of his mouth was, "... so, how long do I have to be here for?") |
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Post by CentreHice on May 17, 2011 11:50:20 GMT -5
I know how you feel, habernac. I had that opportunity in 2007...and I'll never forget it. I've told it before....but I'll tell it again.  April 7, 2007. I went to a Beliveau autograph signing here in town. I told him what a pleasure it was to meet the embodiment of Montreal Canadiens' class. Took my Eagle Toys tin lithograph dart game from the 50s. "Canadiens vs. All-Stars". He said, "What is this?" I told him they were winning the Cup so much, they decided to put out a game. He'd never seen one. He gladly signed it at centre ice. I took the opportunity to ask him a couple of things...but what I remember most was his answer to this one. "I have to ask you about Game 2, 1971, vs. Boston." "Yes...." (big smile) "You're down 5-2 going into the third period." "That's right...." "Frank Mahovlich is quoted as saying that he's never seen such leadership than he saw from you in that game. (huge smile from Jean). I didn't see the game because I lived in SW Ontario. Did you say something in the dressing room? What happened?" "Well, maybe it was because I went out in the third period and scored two quick goals to make it 5-4. I'll never forget that game." I've seen the highlights since and he also assisted on the winner...outworking the Bruin d-man on the end boards and passing out front to Fergie for the eventual winner. ======================================== April 7 was also the day the Habs were in Toronto for Game 82. We had to win to make the playoffs....6-5 loss. As I was leaving, I said, "I wish you could lace em up tonight!" "So do I.....I loved to play in games like this one." Dart board now hanging in the basement. I'll try and post a pic of it. ============================== Dis, I'm jealous! Cournoyer is my favourite Hab. Hope to meet him some day. |
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Post by habernac on May 17, 2011 14:26:51 GMT -5
Cournoyer would be cool. Always wanted to meet everyone from the '77 team. I've now met Lafleur, Dryden, Shutt, Robinson and Savard. Shutt was the only one who wasn't particularly friendly.
Love the story. I had all these questions in my head Iw anted to ask, but I just lost all track of thought. "I'm meeting Robinson/Beliveau!!" was all that was in my head. I did tell Larry that the '86 Cup was cool as it happened in my province. He smiled as he signed that photo (him holding the Cup with Naslund and Gainey beside him).
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 17, 2011 14:57:24 GMT -5
Dis, I'm jealous! Cournoyer is my favourite Hab. Hope to meet him some day. CH, Ivan still has that carisma. He's very soft-spoken, but he looks into your eyes when giving you complete answers. I have a small story about that meeting, but I'll post it later after work. Interesting tid bit, though. I'm not sure if there have been multiple reunions in the old Soviet Union, but I remember seeing a news article about one such reunion. Apparently, Ivan was the only member of the '72 team to be invited to it. I asked Liam Maguire about it, but he couldn't tell me why. But, like I said, I don't know if it was a big reunion or one in a series of reunion functions, but Ivan was standing beside Boris Mikhialov (I think he was holding some flowers as well. Will try to find it). Cheers. |
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