Killer
Normally, I talk about my subject's acomplishments...but in this case, I won't. Most people who read my blog are based in Ontario, are Leafs fans, and know something about hockey. In the case of Doug Gilmour, if you don't know who he is...or how he capitivated an entire city in the 90's...stop right now and google him!
In a previous blog entry, I wrote about how easy it was to recieve autographs in Guelph's Sleeman Centre. The one drawback about getting autographs there, is that most autographs are from OHL players...not NHL'ers or other hockey superstars.
Most OHL coaches are former NHL players, but rarely are former star players.
Last season, the Kingston Frontenacs changed all that. Desperate for major change, Kingston hired one of there most famous sons as new head coach of the franchise...Doug Gilmour.
Gilmour, who retired in 2003, was an assistant coach for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, took the head coaching job of the Frontenacs, on November 17, 2008.
He has quietly turned the struggling team around. As I write this, the Fronts are currently sitting third in their division, 1 game below .500, and are in a playoff position. Not bad considering that in his 1st season with the team, they won only 13 games. In his 2nd season, they've already reached 17 wins!
The last time I met Killer, was back in 2005, when he did a small autograph signing at a hockey store opening. About 15 people showed up, to the non-publicized event. I had a team photo signed by him, and an 8x10 that I had personalized to my friend (and eventual best-man at my wedding) Chris...as a birthday present. Gilmour was really cool about signing the birthday gift for Chris, I was abit nervous about asking him personalize the photo for someone birthday. He inscribed it; "To Chris, Happy Birthday, Doug Gimour #93". I was pleased with it, and Chris was incredibly happy with it! Chris still has the photo today, framed and hung above his computer. I'm not really sure if I could ever top that Birthday gift!
At that signing, I had a picture taken with Gilmour and hoped to get it signed one day.
When Gilmour became the coach of the Fronts, I knew that I would have a chance to get it signed. Kingston has to play Guelph, in Guelph, once a season. I just had to hope for the game to be played when I wasn't working.
When the 2009/10 OHL scheduled was announced this summer, I immediately checked for the Kingston in Guelph game. December 13th was the scheduled game...a Sunday. I mentioned it to Corinna, who had little interest. "If we're not going to the game...I'm not going autographing!" is what she said, as the date approached. I really didn't want to go to the game, as the Bills were playing the Chiefs...and I love the Bills. But my son, overheard the conversation, and spoke about it afterwards.
"Hey Dad, did Doug Gilmour ever play for Team Canada?" Josh asked. "Yes, he has...a few times, in fact he helped coach Team Canada at the Spengler Cup recently" I answered. "Could I go with you to get his autograph, I have a Team Canada puck he could sign?" he asked. Could I say no?!
The morning of the game(s), Josh and I got ready for the signing. I recently picked up Gilmour's McFarlane figure to get signed, along with the photo of us to get signed. Josh had his puck, and brought along my camera to take photos of our encounter...for my blog!
With a blue and silver Sharpie, with headed to the Sleeman Centre to beat the team bus, so we could meet Gilmour before the game. We got there in decent time, and did beat the bus. Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones with the idea.
There was a group, possibly a family, of about 5 people waiting for Killer too. They had jerseys and photos that I could see. This didn't bother me, as I know Gilmour is a good signer and would probably sign everything everybody had...as long as there wasn't alot of people.
At this point, I had a small talk with my son. I told Josh, that I wanted him to take pictures of Gilmour signing my photo and his puck, so that I could use them for my blog. "No problem dad!" he smiled, proud to be in charge of taking pictures. I also told him, that after Gilmour signed for me, I would take the camera and take a picture of Josh getting his autograph and a posed picture with Douggy. He was good with this.
Josh was going to get the McFarlane signed for me, with the blue Sharpie. I was going to get the photo and puck autographed, with the silver Sharpie.
While waiting, we got to talking with two guys, who were waiting for Killer too. both were named Mark. The elder Mark, was there to get a couple of cards signed by Douggy, while the younger Mark, was hoping to get a jersey and hockey stick signed. We all chatted about Gilmour, the Guelph Storm, and how late the Kingston bus was getting! We all found out that the team stayed in Guelph that previous night, and was currently at a team lunch. That was abit relieving, as I worried about Gilmour already being inside the dressing room!
After chatting for a few minutes, the younger Mark asked if we could take his picture with Gilmour, and email it to him afterwards...not a problem was my reponse. We also chatted about other signings, and of course...this blog!
After waiting for a half hour, there was about 15 people waiting for Gilmour...when the team bus arrived. I told Josh that we would get him last...that way Josh to take photos of Gilmour signing for me, and then I could take a picture of Gilmour and Josh, and the picture for Mark.
Gilmour came in, saw the people waiting for him, and told everyone that he'll back out in a few minutes. He wanted to drop off his briefcase and coat. The entire team walked by, and nobody asked for an autograph...strange. We all wanted Killer's signature.
We he returned to the foyer area of the Sleeman Centre, everybody was lined up nicely. He signed for everybody there, I'm not sure if he signed every single item, but he did sign multiple things for people. He was signing incredibly fast, and tore the line in record time. When it was my turn, I handed the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs my silver Sharpie, and proudly displayed the photo of him and I, with the Team Canada puck sitting on top of it. While he signed the photo, I realized something...a flash didn't occur.
Gilmour then signed Josh's puck, without a flash again. I thanked him for his time, while Mark stepped in for his two items to get signed. When I turned to Josh, he was literally on my hip, with stars in his eyes!
Josh failed to take pictures of Gilmour signing for me, because he got star-struck!
It's all good!
I quickly spoke to Josh, and he snapped out of it. I took the camera from him, placed my signed items on the floor, and told josh to ask Gilmour to sign for him. It's a good thing Josh spoke up...Gilmour was leaving.
When Douggy heard Josh's request, he bascially ran back to Josh...apologizing that he missed my son!
He signed, with blue Sharpie, the McFarlane figure's base and agreed to a pose for a quick picture with Josh.
After his posing with Josh, I got Mark (who was waiting patiently nearby) to stand with Gilmour, and have a picture with him. After I took their picture, Doug Gilmour was gone.
In about 3 minutes, he signed for everybody, took a few pictures, and had gone inside the Sleeman Centre to prepare his team for the game...and all his fans outside, were very happy and pleased!
After getting Mark's email address, Josh and I left to go home. On the way home, Josh and I had a little talk about getting 'star-struck'!
Later that afternoon, after the Buffalo Bills beat the Kansas City Chiefs 16-10, I checked the Guelph/Kingston game. Frontenacs beat the Storm 5-3.
Way to go Killer.
PS- Thanks for reading! Happy New Year to all! If you enjoy reading my blog, please leave a message or consider following it by submitting your email. It'll send you a direct link everytime I post a new blog!
~C
