My Ovechkin Make-A-Wish Experience and PC!

bccwolvesrule44

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Following up on my post...
http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=334364
Read that post first to understand the whole thing :)

But this is my Make-A-Wish story, where I got to meet the "Great 8" Alexander Ovechkin! Before the 2004 draft, I was an all out Wings fan, every other team could suck it, Wings fan die hard. Then I saw this new kid, Alexander Ovechkin, he was a born scorer, a hard hitter, and loved the game more than anyone I had seen before. He quickly became my favorite player, and I remember my mom buying boxes of 05/06 UD2 trying to get that infamous Ovechkin rookie card, I had never really been into cards before then, but I guess knowing I could get his rookie got me into it...I don't know haha. I remember when she pulled the first Ovie YG we ever got...We sold it on eBay for 100 bucks...We figured we could pull more, which we did :) Since then I've probably seen and dealt around 10 Ovie YGs, I have 2 in my PC now that aren't moving. One for the Ovie PC, one for my 05/06 S1 and S2 YG Complete Set :D On another topic, when I was diagnosed with my lymphoma, I was 17 (almost 18 like I state in my first post...my bad :P) But that few months between me turning 18 actually made me eligible for a Make A Wish! My first thought was to meet Ovechkin, but over the months I had to decide, my mind wavered like crazy, should I meet someone else, should I have a card shopping spree (That one was the other front runner!! Haha!) But in the end, I chose to meet the player I loved since I first saw him play. Of course this was a while in advance we found out I would get my wish. We would be in DC for 5 days, Monday through Friday, with the only game I'd see being Tuesday.
We got to stay in an amazing hotel, which I cannot remember the name of for the life of me...but at a bad time, there was construction right across the street! Not the easiest time sleeping. Along with me were my parents, (divorced), my dad's girlfriend, and my best friend Brad. I'll skip ahead to game night and the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m6b-mL7xns
Take into mind I was a tad chubbier because of my meds in this...haha
It doesn't show me being given an auto'd jersey of Ovie before the game, I flipped...lol. Before the game we got to go down into the penalty and announcer box to watch the players for warm up. Then I was stunned to be told I was announcing with the announcer bringing the Caps onto the ice...I was so scared...But as you see in the video he is stunned I kept up with him! Haha. Then we were taken up to our suite where Brad and I spent maybe half the game haha. In between periods, (Islanders up 1-0) We were taken to the video trucks where they set up the TV feeds (Never seen so many buttons in my LIFE) Then I got to meet George McPhee, the general manager, and ironically enough he said to me "Bring some luck to the Caps!" As he shook my hand. Then I got to ride the Zamboni in between the 2nd and 3rd periods, And I talked them into letting Brad ride the other! :) After that we were shown the Wizards, Capitals, and the Georgetown Basketball practice facilities! Then the next clip of us on our feet is after Trow Brouwer cut the score to 2-1 Isles with around 5 mins left. Was looking grim till then! Then the next clip is after Brouwer TIES the game with 20 seconds left...Then...as only a storybook could write it...Ovechkin comes flying up the wing in OT on his forehand...and put a bullet of a shot through Evgeni Nabokov's pads to win the game...Couldn't have scripted it any better...Then when we were introduced to him and Jason Chimera after the game...I just was speechless. I couldn't believe what was happening...this couldn't have turned out any better if I had tried to DREAM it better. My mom asked him what his favorite American food was...and he replied with "Pizza!" Then looked at Chimmer and said... "Wait...that's not Ameri....Big Mac!" Haha Then he hands me a bag holding a signed pair of practice used skates...which are my size...! Apparently we have the same size skate! Unbelievable! Then Chimera gives me the stick he used in the game...Autographed and inscribed...Truly a dream come true.

Recap video with video of stuff I got from the Wish!
http://youtu.be/vCFn5onWfK4

Now that being said, when I started collecting, I never imagined I would get any rookie card better than his YG...But through my trading experiences here and on other sites...Here is my Ovechkin PC to date, with 2 cards incoming
Not showing off regular GU cards, only better stuff :)
Ovie1.jpg

Ultra RC

Ovie2.jpg

Beehive RC

Ovie3.jpg

Beehive GOLD Border RC (Never seen another copy!)

Ovie13.jpg

Young Guns!

Ovie16.jpg

Black Diamond RC

Ovie25.jpg

Black Diamond RC BGS 9.5

Ovie9.jpg

OPC Premier Signings /50

Ovie11.jpg

Ovechkin/Backstrom Dual Significance 8/25!

Ovie15.jpg

Autofacts SP

Ovie8.jpg

ITG H&P Auto SP

Ovie12.jpg

NHCDA Auto

Ovie17.jpg

RC Year Ultimate Signatures AU

Ovie14.jpg

RC Year Fresh Ink AU

Ovie22.jpg

RC Year Glacial Graphs AU

Ovie19.jpg

Cup Enshrinements AU

Ovie21.jpg

Cup Enshrinements AU (Both are 43/50!)

Ovie18.jpg

Private Signings AU

Ovie24.jpg

Ovechkin/Malkin Dual GU/AU /15

And the ones I thought I would never acquire...in my wildest dreams!
His TRUE RC AUTOs!

Ovie23.jpg

Ovechkin/Kovalchuk Rookie Update Dual AU SP /199

Ovie20.jpg

Ovechkin/Kovalchuk Rookie Update Dual AU SP /199 (Yes, 2!)

Ovie27.jpg

SP Authentic Future Watch AU /999 (My first holy grail...)

Ovie26.jpg

Hot Prospects RPA SP /199

And then...I know people have a lot of different opinions...but I love Ultimate Rookie Autographs of players, I consider them their best true rookie card...and that brings me to my favorite Ovie card..
.
.
.
.
Ovie28.jpg

Ultimate...Rookies...Autograph...SP /299

So that's my show and tell guys...If you've stayed this long, I thank you. and hope you enjoyed! :)
 
Wow. That is truly an inspiring story. I'm glad to hear that you got to have that inspiration while you were so sick. It must've really made things easier.

Also, your Ovy collection is sweet. I guess you're just missing one! Save up and go get em tiger!

Matt
 
An amazing story, and some great PC scans to go with it. The video tugged at the heart strings a bit, as there have been a few folks in my life battle disease as well, so it's really inspiring and heartwarming to see it going this well. I'm glad that you had such a positive and uplifting experience, brought some goodies home with you, but most of all to see you're still deep into collecting and being a part of the forum too! Glad we've had the chance to trade a few times, and looking forward to making a few more down the road!
 
Awesome Robert, that was a great video the Caps put together for you as well! No one can argue Ovechkin's passion for the game. My nephew recently had his make-a-wish trip, it's a great program, they were really nice to him and his family. He's doing well, but it is not 100% cured, he'll likely have to battle it throughout his life (Aplastic Anemia). I hope you're doing a lot better as well and you're winning the battle!
 
Great story...great vids...awesome! :dance:

I have a really good friend battling acute myeloid leukemia (just had his stem cell transplant last Friday and doing well :) ) and another friend who just passed August 5 from leukemia, so I know the struggles with these horrible diseases.

Great to see what Make-a-Wish did for you. Wishing the best for you!

--Curt
 
Great Story bro,my lil sister make a wish trip is this December to LA.

Ovechkin PC is awesome congrats.
 
Dude, that was awesome. I am so happy for you, I can't imagine what that experience must have felt like!.. Good things happen to good people. Keep up the good vibes and I will be sharing this story for years to come.
 
Robert!
Thank you so much for sharing your story!!
That is so awesome. Like above.. Keep kicking Cancers ***!!!!
Your Ovy collection is phenomenal! Cheers to keep adding to it!


Billie
 
Love seeing and reading stuff like! Cancer has afflicted so many people I know many times and I despise it. Good for you for battling through.

The player interaction stuff is very near and dear to my heart as both my sons have had different medical issues/conditions and have made many friends in the NHL community while dealing with them.

Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you continue to inspire other kids/people out there to stay strong and positive, the latter being the best medicine against cancer!
 
Thanks for sharing Robert, glad to see meeting your favourite player lived up to expectations! awesome video and PC!
 
Amazing story and amazing stuff to go with it! All the best of luck!

Gotta agree with you, Ultimate SP Autos are the best rookies out there!
 


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