NHL players gather atop parking garage for impromptu hockey game with fans
I was out taking pictures for an upcoming post called “Scenes of Winter Light” (working title) when my friend Douglas “Three Stripes” Sargent (a hat tip to you, my friend) texted me to let me know that Andrew Ladd, captain of the Winnipeg Jets and two time Stanley Cup Winner, as well as Mike Richards, a Stanley Cup winner and former captain of the Philadelphia Flyers were going to be playing hockey at the Forks, which is about a 10 minute walk from my house. I immediately went home to change lenses and headed out.
What I found on top of the parking garage was a few hundred people with very big smiles on their face. It isn’t every day that big name NHL players take to twitter announcing their intentions to play a game of hockey with fans, which is exactly what happened. After a brief media scrum in which Richards and Ladd answered obligatory questions regarding the current lockout, teams were selected and the ball was dropped.
Please feel free to view photos on the Zach Wolf’s Wandering Lens Facebook page.
Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd listens to a question from a member of the media, November 12, 2012. Ladd along with fellow NHL players Mike Richards, Jim Slater, and Mark Stuart announced they were going to play a game of road hockey at the Forks Market, Winnipeg, MB and asked fans to join them.
Devon Shymko catches a glimpse of his hockey hero, NHL player Mike Richards of the Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg, MB, November 13, 2012.
Mike Richards of the Los Angeles Kings answers a question from the media, Winnipeg, MB on November 13, 2012.
Winnipeg Jets players Jim Slater (left) and Mark Stuart (right) watch the media scrum surrounding NHL players Andrew Ladd and Mike Richards. Stuart and Slater joined Ladd and Richards to play a game of hockey atop the Forks’ Parking garage on November 13, 2012, Winnipeg, MB.
Mike Richards of the Los Angeles Kings reaches for the ball on November 13, 2012. Richards, along with NHL players Andrew Ladd, Mark Stuart, and Jim Slater asked fans to join them atop the Forks market parking garage for a game of road hockey. Winnipeg, MB.
A group of children play hockey with several NHL stars atop the Forks market parking garage, Winnipeg, MB, November 13, 2012.
Goaltender Steven Bento watches on as Winnipeg Jets captain and two time Stanley Cup winner Andrew Ladd plays hockey with local fans. Ladd and fellow NHL star Mike Richards announced on twitter that they would be joining fans for a game of hockey at the Forks Market, Winnipeg, MB on November 13, 2012.
Devon Shymko (left) poses with his hockey idol Mike Richards (right) on November 13, 2012 at the Forks Market in Winnipeg. Shymko is wearing a Mike Richards jersey from when Richards was captain of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Fans wait for their turn to play hockey with NHL stars atop the Forks market parking garage, Winnipeg, MB on November 13, 2012. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights can be seen in the background.
A group of fans stand on the edge of the parking garage at the Forks Market to catch a glimpse of NHL players, Winnipeg, MB on November 13, 2012.
Mike Richards takes time from playing hockey to sign Matt Therien’s Richards jersey, November 13, 2012. Winnipeg, MB.
Goaltender Steven Bento prepares himself as Andrew Ladd, captain of the Winnipeg Jets, makes his way towards the net. Winnipeg, MB, November 13, 2012.
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You could mention Ladd is also a Stanley Cup winner…
Done and done Tim!
This put a smile on my face
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I was there. Orange toque in the 6th photo. I also blogged about it. http://www.cenquist.com/2012/11/andrew-ladd-and-mike-richards-play.html
That’s awesome, with the Thrashers shirt?
Nice pictures that tells the story.