Well growing up in the 80's i had plenty of options, however also a lot of restrictions. being from a family that hails from Edmonton but living in Calgary it wasn't accepted to cheer for the flames and McDonalds moustache, and i have an older brother so cheering for the oilers and all the greats, Kurri, Fuhr, anderson, Esatekenn (pretty sure i screwed that name up), Messier, Gretzky, Coffee and on and on...was not allowed. however even with being around all of the greatness in Alberta in the 80's my fav player that i idolized was Mario Lemieux! however back then most of the time his games weren't televised out west unless he was playing a team out here so it was hard to have him and the Pens as my player/team. and then a young player was drafted by the red wings (and all of their games were televised) who was skilled and super talented who i grew up watching change his game and see the maturity he had and how he was a born leader and gentleman, and was able to watch him turn a team around from a bottom feeder to an elite force in the league once again.
Steve Yzerman.
ever since i was 6yrs old he and the wings have been my team. love that he takes the time to sign a nice auto on his cards, even now that he is with Tampa love watching and hear how well he is doing. i'll always collect those heroes from my childhood, Yzerman, Lemieux, Gretzky.
and now that i am older i thought i had another one in Zetterberg, and he was for years! but once he won the Wings the Stanley cup and the Conn Smythe... i haven't seen passion in his game since 2009.. to bad.
However in 2005-06 a special player entered the league and it's like watching my old idols on the ice again when i watch him play. Sidney Crosby.
i'm 35yrs old, and i have already seen entire careers eclipse of my fav's, and we are already 10yrs into anothers. i will really appreciate the next 10yrs of watching Crosby play, cause the time goes by way to quick.
Sean.
