Great Story - If True
The Blackhawks dominated the Coyotes Sunday night:
- CHICAGO -- Ben Eager scored twice, and Andrew Ladd had a goal and three assists for a career-high four points in the Chicago Blackhawks' 7-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday night.
But that isn't the story we'd like to share. We'd like to think it's true.
- In the middle of a grueling six game road trip where a very young hockey team is away from home, the third game of the trip ends late on a cold Canadian Saturday night. This is the only break on the trip and the three days between games allow them the only break to get back home in their own beds for a couple of days before going back on the road. A scheduled commercial flight waits for them at Toronto 's International Airport for the short flight home; they could be home by midnight. This plane departs on schedule, but without a single member of the hockey team.
Back in the locker room a vote is taken after the game was complete, and a unanimous decision is made by this young team to skip this flight and stay one more day. They make arrangements to check back in the hotel and on a frozen Sunday morning charter two buses that have no heat and begin a journey two hours straight north into a sparsely inhabited Canada, but where hockey is its passion. They arrive at their destination to the surprise of the teams general manager who is there attending his fathers wake.
After a few emotional hours, this team boards the buses and head back for a two-hour trip back to Toronto . On the way they ask the drivers to stop in a tiny Canadian town because they are hungry. To the shock of the patrons and workers at this small hockey town McDonald's, a professional team walks out of two rickety buses and into the restaurant, which just happens to have pictures of two members of this team on its wall. The patrons know every single one of these players by sight being fanatic fans of hockey in these parts. One can only imagine their amazement of the locals seeing and entire professional hockey team sit down and have a meal in their tiny little town in the middle of a hockey season. After a while they board the buses and catch their same flight 24 hours later, giving one day to their general manager.
Have I made this up, is this an excerpt from some fictional book? No this a true story of the Blackhawks last Saturday night and they decided to attend Dale Tallon's fathers funeral. Its amazing that such a good story can be found nowhere on the internet, and not even mentioned in the Chicago papers. Had one of the Blackhawks got into a fight and punched some drunken loser in a Toronto bar it would be plastered all over papers and the television. This being said, its hard to imagine any professional football, basketball or baseball team doing this, but the members of the Blackhawks claim any "hockey" team would have done this.
This is one reason I continue to be a big hockey fan, and another reason I am excited about this Chicago team. I thought I would share as this story appears to have gone unnoticed.
Was this covered anywhere?
Labels: sports
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
54 Comments:
Im sure any NBA team would have done the same thing
just kidding guys
This story is abosolutely true! I heard the whole story a while back when they were on the "circus" trip from someone important in the Hawks org. This is why hockey will always be one of the greatest team sports. They are close and professional. Something the NBA hasn't been in awhile and never will be again. Tough loss to Detroit the other night but one of the best goals I have seen all year from Toews! Great win tonight! GO HAWKS!!!
Kids...unaffected by the big city, the bright lights or the big money!
How AWESOME on several levels:
1) How awesome for Dale Tallon, dealing with, arguably, lifes most difficult emotional experience, losing a family member; To be shown this kind of respect and love from his Blackhawk "family" speaks volumes!
2) How awesome for the Chicago Blackhawks to be able to watch such obvious signs of maturation and success in the rebirth of their franchise, so long in hibernation under Bill Wirtz!
3) And how awesome for the true Blackhawk hockey fans, who waited and waited for the team to outlast Bill Wirtz' ownership, (may he RIP). How absolutely uplifting to see how quickly Rocky Wirtz is putting his stamp on this team by hiring professional executives, signing quality free agents, drafting and developing such outstanding young players and leaders AND discovering that wacky new medium...TELEVISION!!!
This will be an awesome ride for years to come and I'm looking forward to watching it all unfold in front of me on my 65" flatscreen!
I remember hearing about this on the radio. Not sure if it was right after the Toronto game or at some point later? I thought it was certainly a classy move on the part of the Blackhawk's players.
What a fun year for Chicago hockey so far! I've sat for well over a decade watching deplorable hometown hockey. People talking shit to me about how the Wolves could beat the Hawks ass. (Which, even with the shittiest Hawks team would NOT have happened)
SCC,
Im a huge Blackhawks fan who recently bought season tickets for the first time.....is there anyway to verify this or at least provide a source, because I would really like to try to find out if this is true
something new to ask yourself,
WHAT'S YOUR GOAL????????
"Was this covered anywhere?"
It might be now, seeing as the parasitical media whores feed regularly off of SCC.
Hockey players are all class and always put the team first.
On a morning when I'm so tired I have no desire to go to work, I come to read your blog and will now go with smile on my face.
SCC, thank you so much for sharing that incredibly touching and fantastic story.
Although I love the Philadelphia Flyers and bleed Orange & Black, I LOVE the game of hockey and will watch no matter who is playing.
This was truly a class act by the Blackhawks.
And to the G.M.'s father - may he rest in peace.
scc,
if memory serves me correctly this was covered on either espn.com's nhl page, or the blackhawks website last week. i do remember reading it as i am a season ticket holder and check both pages regularly for team news/updates. great story, great team. classy move all around.
stay safe
Stuff like this is why I only go to NHL and MLS games anymore. Real athletes that are not "just about the money". Take your kid, and let em have an actual conversation with their player-hero, instead of being ignored by some guy that would rather talk to his agent and financial advisers.
Go Blackhawks, and Go Chicago Fire.
very nice thing to do. Athletes SHOULD DO things like this. But its true that only hockey players would. In order, from having dealt with many athletes in my time working a downtown district, its hockey, baseball, then down the line come football and way at the end come basketball. I know this is probably not shocking but thats the order i found them to fall in as far as friendliness and least amount of arrogance.
Dave Kaplan talked about it on WGN last week.
As a life long hockey fan and player this doesn't suprise me at all. Hockey players are class acts. They may do some crazy things on the ice from time to time but off the ice they are just like you and me.
Hockey players are family men. They start at a young age leaving the house at 5 am to make it to a 8am game two hours away. Hockey familys sacrifice their lives just like normal Americans/Canadiens. Hockey players don't always come from money either. The sport is expensive and lots of players use donated equipment or cheap used equipment. They aren't pampered by scouts and agents like football or basketball players.
Hockey is a passion that grows stronger and stronger in you as time goes by. Your blood starts to bleed hockey after a while. I can't live without my NHL package.
Hockey players respond to fan mail and willingly sign autographs for free. My dad told me a story from the 60's. My father and his brother went to Aronson furniture to get Bobby Hull's and Stan Mikita's autographs. The signing was from 10am to 3pm. When they arrived the line went for several blocks. Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita kept signing autographs long after 3pm that day. My dad and uncle got their autographs just after 5pm. The line was still long at that time. Hull and Mikita kept signing until everyone got an autograph. 99% of hockey players are still like that to this day. MLB, NBA, and NFL players would never dream of doing this. They only care about themselves.
U don't hear stories about NHL players and babys momma. That is because NHL players have class. This has nothing to do with race by the way. Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are both examples of the fine upstanding citizens in the NFL.
There was only a slight incident when Kane, Toews, and Versteeg proceeded to beat a vending machine when the resses pieces failed to drop..... "F*&%ing Machine took my quarter coach!!!".
Classy team with fresh talent that is only getting better. Makes me proud to be a Hawks fan...
Two buses with no heat, in Canada? Gimme a fucking break. It's a heartwarming story but the bullshit on the fringes is very obvious.
Great story! Thanks for sharing that.
NBA player = wheres my money
I felt like I was a teenager again. Blackhawks live on WGN. Where was Lloyd Pettit?
Wow go Hawks...this squad is a class Act!
Thanks for bringing the story to the blog SCC!
Stay safe
I don't doubt this story one bit. I was at the Ceriale benefit back in October on the Wrigley Rooftop. In addition to
Steve McMichael, Jim McMahon, Bill Murray and several other celebs/athletes there were 8 - 10 Blackhawks there. (Like many other blackhawk fans I've finally began watching and enjoying the team again). I was in the bleachers watching the game and had no clue they were sitting all around me. Earlier I was introduced to Jim Wisniewski and about 10 minutes later he sits next to me with a plastic grocery bag and begins to pull out pucks, hats, and a jersey. He then begins to pass the items to the 8 - 10 guys sitting around me and they start autographing everything. I WAS AMAZED. Not because they were stars but because of the way they handled themselves. These "kids" would say excuse me every time they needed to get up for anything, they didn't get drunk, they weren't loud or obnoxious, in fact they tried to remain as low key as they possibly could. Of the people that did recognize them- they were as polite and kind as you could ask a professional athlete to be. There are MANY PRO and COLLEGE athletes that could learn a thing or two from these guys about how to carry yourself. I instantly became a HUGE fan. NOT because they were stars but because of their character. Oh, and the guys that were sitting by me...
J. Toews, P. Kane, A. Burrish,
A. Ladd, D. Bowland, B. Seabrook, P. Sharp, J. Wisniewski....(if any hawks should read this and I left you out I apologize)
P.S. SCC....I have the autographed hat to prove it!
Was at the game last night. First one for me in years. Took the Kids. We all had a blast watching goal after goal against Phoenix. Place was rocking. Had a great time.
Hockey players are real men, not like these steroid gurly ment who play football and baseball.
No heat on the bus--who cares? Pay tribute to your GM for his loss-class acts. Real men.
hockey is the last classy sport left. and I like nobody "here" follows it, I don't want it to become polluted. I stopped following the NBA after Jordan Bird era and the NFL is just thugs carrying guns and dope. the end
The NBA thugs would have hijacked the bus and shot the driver because they didn't have any heat.
I simply adore hockey players. They look so cute in those Bermuda shorts they wear when they play. I like that toothless look for another reason.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
hockey IS the ultimate team sport. the only one that comes close is football. after the hawks worked over the coyotes last night, the captain of the team shane doan is on record as saying they were totally outclassed and embarrased by the hawks. shane doan is one of the toughest guys in the league and does not pass on compliments often. even gretzky was looking for a paper bag to put over his head while he was on the bench. GO HAWKS.
most hockey players are very humble people. some hawks use to go to the double door on milwaukee to see a band..they were all nice and friendly.
I went to my first Blackhawks game last week. I was always a huge baseball, basketball, and football fan. Oddly enough my girl friend has got me into hockey.
ahhh... the difference between the sports. class acts & where be my moneys....
"Old time hockey coach" The hawks are for real this year!
Katie you're killing me w2ith these avatars....:P`````
to bad we as police officers can't stick together and support one of our own. Yes some show up at family wakes, benefits, a few more show up at in the line of duty deaths wakes/funerals and St Jude, but it is certainly not every member, not even 10% sometimes.
Please everyone be safe and have a safe merry christmas and happy new year
This is why hockey IS the best team sport on the planet ! Team is like family and family's support each other in times of need. This should also ring true for our family in blue. We need to stop bashing each other on this blog and at the bars and anywhere else that it happens. I used to be very aggressive and considered myself the "real police", and after 15 years, I still consider myself the real police, but, because of a new line of thinking. I used to work in the ghetto and was a major court whore. Now, i work smarter, not harder. I now spend time working on the crimes that affect the good people of my new district. I don't fault the guys that want to make alot of money in court because i was there at one time, now i work for a different cause. But, i am no less the "real police" that i was before. we have to understand that putting on the uniform IS the most dangerous thing that we do everyday. Anything can happen anywhere ! The uniform is like a shit magnet. So we, as the Blackhawks, need to start acting more like a family that like a bunch of bickering babies...I play on the 1st line, I make $1,000,000 a year, I work in 011, I like to write tickets. We are all in the same boat and need to start acting more like a "team".
At a time when GHETTO THUGGERY is the norm and athletes are just plain scummy,this is a welcome relief.The fact that the Hawks are the most down-to-earth pro sports franchise in Chicago and the sell out crowds reflect such.If you have never been to a live Hawks game or don't even understand hockey,just give it a try the games are fast,intense and VERY VERY FAMILY ORIENTED.GO Hawks and thanks agin MR WIRTZ for your vision to restore pride to a great team and city.
The media trolls might not enter this area, but here's a clue for them. They'll never publish feel good stories because there's no money in it. However, with the economy so crappy, there just might be a renewed interest in feel good stories that may eventually lead to more advertisers' cash.
There you go. A feel good reporter and there's money in it for you. Hell, with the Trib going bankrupt, there's nothing that shouldn't be tried.
Let's get back to basics. Cops and firemen doing good work, citizens doing nice things...OK, I'll stop and go get some black coffee.
This is the first I hear of this story SCC...thank you for posting it. What a bunch of class acts!
I too am very excited this year. I can still remember getting SRO tickets at the Old Barn and banging away on the wooden walls from the cheap (but great) seats.
I can still hear the echos...Detroit sucks, Detroit sucks, Detroit sucks!
This is as much a tribute to Dale Talon as it is to the team. Oh to have a leader who instills that sense of honor and duty. Oh to have a leader who you would go into battle with with a smile on your face.
Oh well!! All we have is J-Fed, Jackson the Sleeper, Aunt Bea, the Rev. Ted, Brust the Bust, and the Screaming Skull. At least there's one guy heading up a bureau who has proven himself to be a good boss - God Bless you Danny Dugan don't let the aforementioned assholes corrupt you.
thank u katie u put a smile on my face this morning
SCC said:
Had one of the Blackhawks got into a fight and punched some drunken loser in a Toronto bar it would be plastered all over papers and the television.
And the media would show the hypothetical video ad nauseum, painting all the players with the same brush until the owners brought in some coach (who played lacrosse all his life and never strapped on a pair of skates) to run things (into the ice)
Its called "Class". Maybe anyone over the age of 50 remembers the term.
Anonymous said...
Hockey players are all class and always put the team first.
12/08/2008 05:23:00 AM
Rather: ...
Hockey players are all class and always put the FANS first.
A Wolves Fan.
Coyotes? I just saw one the other day crossing Central into the forest preserves at dusk. Keep you little dogs inside.
Wonders never cease about their turnaround after that Drunk Prick Old Man Wirtz did us all a favor and pass from this life.
Games on TV, winning games, full house at the Stadium (I refuse to call it the UC) maybe a Stanley Cup is in the offing.
Hey Zorn! When you get tired of the taste of Obama's ass maybe you could start writing stories like these that would bring more readers to your failing newspaper...oh yeah..too late!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Hockey players respond to fan mail and willingly sign autographs for free. My dad told me a story from the 60's. My father and his brother went to Aronson furniture to get Bobby Hull's and Stan Mikita's autographs. The signing was from 10am to 3pm. When they arrived the line went for several blocks. Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita kept signing autographs long after 3pm that day. My dad and uncle got their autographs just after 5pm. The line was still long at that time. Hull and Mikita kept signing until everyone got an autograph. 99% of hockey players are still like that to this day. MLB, NBA, and NFL players would never dream of doing this. They only care about themselves.
I had a similar experience with Bobby Hull. In the early seventies, after Hull jumped over to the WHA. I was 10 years old, the Winnapeg Jets were in town to play the Cougars at the Amphitheater. My friends parents had season tickets to the Cougars games, so I went to quite a few games. There was a restaurant/bar next to the Amphitheater, my friend's mother took us in, and who did we see at the bar, Bobby Hull. To us, that was like seeing Babe Ruth. He was the guy we pretended to be while playing hockey in the alley back home. I felt like we were approaching the Pope. We reached him and asked him for his autograph, he was with a group of several other people.
He turned his attention to us, and made us feel like we were most important people in the whole place. I had this little spiral note pad that I would get autographs on, he signed it, I asked him to sign it again on another sheet, he signed it three more times for me. He did the same for my friend too. That was well over thirty years ago. I lost that note book, but I'll NEVER forget how that man made two kids very happy. To me that is what hockey is all about.
Anonymous said...
thank u katie u put a smile on my face this morning
You're very welcome. When you're ready for a new avatar, say the word. I have lots to keep you smiling.
Be safe out there. :)
GO HAWKS!!
Its like being a teenager agin watching these games while Pat Foley does the play by play!
They are winning and looking like the fastest team in the NHL!
How far they go in the playoffs is to be seen and I think they will go deep!
The majority of hockey players in the NHL are educated, extemely athletic and respectful citizens.
I don't know any other professional sport that can say that about the majority of its players.
Great Job BLACKHAWKS!
This is off topic, but speaking of integrity and compassion, I would like to inform everybody that on Saturdday, 06 December Sgt Gina Dwyer suufered a serious heart attack. Gina has spent her entire career as a role model both on and off duty. Not only is she the standard for female officers, but all officers to aspire to. She spent many years working tact, has been a tact sgt, and never asked anyone to do anything she wouldn't do herself. Gina has ran benefits like she is a corperate CEO, and made the CPD the largest group represented in Washington DC at Police Week. Gina is the ultimate hockey mom to her boys and a friend, sister, boss to the rest of us. Please keep her in your prayers. She is at Little Company of Mary Hospital. (SCC please make sure that this where it can be read)
I have lots to keep you smiling.
thanks god bless your the best katie
Hockey players are and always will be class acts. Being a former player myself and spending time playing junior hockey before I got on the job, these guys earn what they have accomplished. They leave home at a very early age to play a game they love and chase a dream. They have worked very hard to make their dreams come true of playing in the NHL. There isn't a lot of people on this earth that would of done what these athletes had to do to acheive their goals of playing in the NHL. They are total team players and rely on one another.
Do you know the CPD Stars could have one hell of a team if politics were not involved?!!!
Several D-1 and D-3 players are on the job(There is not a D-2 or 1AA in NCAA Hockey)
Too bad we/us are about the BS juice instead of Chicago Cop Pride.
No crap Office, we have that many coppers who can skate.
What a waste. Just like swimmers not in the Marine unit, Operators not in SOS, CPA's not in asset....etc
The beat goes on...
theres a fat goof that used to be a Youth Officer who plays hockey and his Team Mates nicknamed him "Dancing Bear" from the old Captain Kangaroo show, cause he just spun around and around on the ice but really never got anywhere. A real riot to watch in person, thinks he's good, about 100 pounds overweight, and slow as molasses.
Hey, Anonymous 12/08/2008 09:01:00 AM. When your parents told you about Santa and the Easter bunny did you tell them to go fuck themselves? No. So just relax and enjoy the story.
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