One thing’s for sure in Chicago: After winning their third Stanley Cup in six seasons this summer, Blackhawks players have graduated from rock stars to mega-superstars.
With great success comes great responsibility. Or something like that. Now that the Hawks are seeing more autograph and photo requests than ever, RedEye caught up with players at the team’s annual convention to get their do’s and don’ts for fans seeking a piece of championship history.
Patrick Kane (ninth year in NHL)
“You have to be patient, that’s for sure. There’s a lot of different priorities and requests that come [a player’s] way, especially through these next couple days [at the convention].
“I always tell the people that ask what the convention is like, I say it’s kind of like a 9-to-5, 9-to-9 workday. You’re here all day, you really have to put the time in to kind of interact with fans and make sure you’re giving everyone the time of day because it’s a big weekend for them. And that’s why we’re here too, to give back as much as we possibly can.”
Bryan Bickell (10th year)
“It’s funny, from the years of seeing people from how confident they are or how nervous they are. They come out, they seem calm, [and then] the next guy comes and you watch him jump in circles. I think really, just enjoy the moment. When I was growing up when I was a kid meeting my superstar hockey player that I wanted to be like one day, I was nervous. Just enjoy the moment is the biggest thing.
“Some people, they sweat profusely. It’s exciting, I think, for the fans to get the opportunity to meet someone famous, I guess. I don’t consider myself famous, I feel normal, I’m just a hockey player, but it’s cool.”
Kris Versteeg (ninth year)
“Have their camera ready. That’s it. That’s the big thing. Have the camera ready. Not for me, I mean. Well, probably for me, too. But for everyone, it helps when the camera is ready and you can flash it. Instead you’re fidgeting around, handing it to people that don’t know how to use it. That can be a bit of a mess sometimes.”
Teuvo Teravainen (third year)
“Basically, just ‘Can I get a photo, picture or sign something.’ Asking for a photo or signature is all right, of course. Stay calm, don’t panic or anything.”
Teravainen made headlines back home in Finland recently when it was reported that he said female fans in Chicago are “quite horny.”
“It was a little bad translation, I would say. I said that in Finnish and [meant it] differently. Kind of fun headlines. Was trying to say female fans take, like, selfies and stuff and here they’re coming really close to take them, like cheek by cheek, that’s what I meant.”
Scott Darling (second year)
“There’s no, like, professional way to go about it, but know we’re people too. Manners are great. Say please and thank you, and [have] a pen ready. Just make sure everybody gets a chance. Try to keep it as quick and painless as possible, I guess.”
Have the camera ready, too?
“The iPhone always seems to fail when it’s picture time. That seems to be a common theme.”
Andrew Shaw (fifth year)
“Just be polite, you know. Know it’s an exhausting day for us [at the convention]. We really want to make sure we get to everybody, make sure everyone has a great day. Selfie form, get it ready.”
Jonathan Toews (ninth year)
“I think people are really great for the most part. If anything they’re too bashful. Some cases, I see people kind of look at me and they got their phones out and they’re not sure if they should ask me and I have to come out and offer it to them if they want my autograph or picture.
“Maybe I’m going out on a limb there, maybe it’s a complete coincidence and they have no idea I’m a hockey player, but usually they’re just being too nice. That would be my advice to those people, don’t worry about it.”
Toews has a reputation for hanging with fans for pics and autographs until everyone has gotten one.
“I think that’s part of hockey culture. It starts with guys like Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita who you hear stories about them waiting outside the rink signing autographs for hours, and you know how they are, they spell their names out perfectly every time. I think it takes Bobby about a minute per autograph, but he’s got all day for his fans.
“I think you always follow suit with players who played the game before you. And that’s kind of what creates the culture of the NHL. So I think that we’re just here and grateful that we can play for the Blackhawks, and that’s the lead you’re following in those regards.”
Scott King is a RedEye contributor. @ScottKingMedia
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