Anybody who knows what a puck is has heard of Cam Neely. When I hear his name I think of 200 plus pounds of angry skater putting the puck in the net with little regard for the opponent's - or his own -well being. He was a rare combination of fury and finesse on the ice; full of raw emotion and energy but always smart and skilled. For a decade he was the face of the Boston Bruins. I saw that face in person last week - twice.Monday, February 9th
Cam Neely's son plays on a team in Danny's hockey league and they faced off against one another in a state tournament game on Monday. While my team was in the locker room preparing to take the ice, Cam stood up against the Billerica rink's boards watching the game preceding ours. I passed within a couple feet of him and could have easily reached up (way up) and slapped him on his broad shoulders and said something dumb like, "Hey! ...Cam Neely!" But Cam stood there just like the other parents, looking more interested in being Cam Neely the dad than being singled out as Cam Neely the former NHL player.
Danny's team played very well but lost the game by the score of 3-1 and was eliminated from the tournament. The few times I glanced up from the bench and into the stands Cam was sitting there quietly watching or texting on his phone (perhaps letting Chiarelli know about the skilled #11 who plays for Chelmsford).
Thursday, February 12th
One of my duties as a member of the Board of Directors is to sign-in players and coaches for state tournament games held at our rink - the Chelmsford Forum. I was standing at my little table at the front of the Forum, signing in players and coaches for 3 games that evening - including the team that beat us on Monday.
Cam walked in like a normal, hockey parent carrying his son's normal hockey bag while his normal, 9 year old son was greeted by his normal teammates - who were congregating around my above average table. Cam approached me and asked, "Are the locker rooms this way?" I looked up at his crooked nose and battle scarred face and thought, "I have a man-crush on you" might not be the appropriate thing to say. So I simply replied, "Yes. down and to your left." And off he went.
During the game (which his son's team won) he sat in the stands as before; seemingly happy to just be there. After the game father and son left as quiet as they arrived - Cam was carrying his son's hockey bag over his shoulder while his son carried his hockey stick and a celebratory cup-cake.
These two Cam 'sightings' hardly make me an expert on all things Cam. But in my mind he represents the two faces of hockey: The one you should wear when you are playing the game and the one you should wear when you are aren't.
One of my duties as a member of the Board of Directors is to sign-in players and coaches for state tournament games held at our rink - the Chelmsford Forum. I was standing at my little table at the front of the Forum, signing in players and coaches for 3 games that evening - including the team that beat us on Monday.
Cam walked in like a normal, hockey parent carrying his son's normal hockey bag while his normal, 9 year old son was greeted by his normal teammates - who were congregating around my above average table. Cam approached me and asked, "Are the locker rooms this way?" I looked up at his crooked nose and battle scarred face and thought, "I have a man-crush on you" might not be the appropriate thing to say. So I simply replied, "Yes. down and to your left." And off he went.
During the game (which his son's team won) he sat in the stands as before; seemingly happy to just be there. After the game father and son left as quiet as they arrived - Cam was carrying his son's hockey bag over his shoulder while his son carried his hockey stick and a celebratory cup-cake.
These two Cam 'sightings' hardly make me an expert on all things Cam. But in my mind he represents the two faces of hockey: The one you should wear when you are playing the game and the one you should wear when you are aren't.Danny plays this team again, in a regular season matchup on Saturday at 1:00p, at the Forum. I hope he shows his face again.
6 comments:
Is it me or are hockey players the most "real" of all athletes? Just normal guys who know they were (are) blessed to play a great game. Here's what I want you to do on Saturday. When you see Cam, grab him by the shoulder, look him dead in the eyes, and say, "My name is Scott Millin. I have come to avenge the honor of Ulf Samuelson." Then, punch him in the gut. Let me know if you remember anything after that.
Before you try that....can you tell him I also might have a crush on him? Pleeeeease.
If Scott does punch him in the gut, I'm sure you would see Cam either by Scott's hospital bed apologizing profusely about assaulting your brother ("Well, you can make it up to me by taking me out for a drink.") OR you would see Cam at his court hearing and you could post bail for him ("Well, you owe me Cam, let's get dinner"). See, it's a win-win. Come on Scott, man up. Attack Cam Neely for your sister...
Chris, I am a lover - not a fighter. While Nanci has dated many a player, er, hockey player, I am guessing she couldn't tell you what 'icing' is. To hook her up with a hockey god would be sacrilege. Besides, Cam is married.
So........did you see him again?
Bern
Not that day - he had to go do something Bruins related, but his wife was there. We are playing them again this weekend....last chance!
Debbie
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