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Old pros still a smash hitLocal gets chance to share the ice with some of the NHL's greatest names and scores
Chris Fitzsimmons stood out like a sore thumb Friday evening for several reasons. In the NHL All-Star Legends — RCMP Crimestoppers fundraiser at the Coliseum, Fitzsimmons wore a helmet during warm-up. Except for goaltender Richard Sevigney, no other ex-pro did, choosing to feel the rush of cool wind in their grey-streaked manes — or what little hair some had — as they did laps. At six-foot-three, he was also much taller, towering above his boyhood heroes. And at 25, his face was pretty much both wrinkle and scar-free. Most of the ex-pros who skated before the 2,300 on hand had many of both, especially the latter. Not even former Montreal Canadiens great Guy Lafleur — whose blonde locks looked almost identical today as they did two decades ago, when they flowed back gently as he streaked down right wing — could escape scarring, having a jagged beauty run down the middle of his otherwise untouched nose. And then there was the skating aspect. A good skater and hockey player in his own right, Fitzsimmons was simply out of his league. But then again, it's unfair to compare the world's best in their day to an overall good guy who plays for the fun and love of the sport. "It was just a pretty entertaining experience to play with them," said Fitzsimmons. "They were great to be with, and especially great to skate with." What amazed the local though was how fast guys like Lafleur, Marcel Dionne, Dave ‘Tiger' Williams and Gaston Gingras could skate, despite each being well past their prime playing age. "It makes you wonder how fast they compared to normal guys were when they were in their best playing shape," he added. "I've no doubt they would have left me in their dust." Fitzsimmons was paired with a decent line, with former Canadien-Oiler-Whaler great Dave Lumley plus ex-Leaf, Canuck, Red Wing, King and Whaler Williams. The two set him up several times, usually with hard, tape-to-tape passes. And, much to his credit, Fitzsimmons potted a pair. "You know they're pretty good when you put your stick on the ice and a pass hits it right on the tape," he said. "It was a bit of a change from rec hockey." Agreeing were the score of fans who caught a bit of nostalgia with him. |
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