For this week’s Sunday post here at Oilonwhyte, I’m not going to talk about the recent transactions. Not that it’s been done and I think Chiarelli is doing a fine job right now with the returns. I cannot complain.
However this weekend I had a cool opportunity, one of those outside the game stories I’d like to share.
On Saturday, I was able to meet my childhood Idol: Former Edmonton Oilers Captain, Doug Weight.
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Doug Weight
Doug Weight was my favourite player growing up and is my all time favourite Edmonton Oiler. By far. I mean as an adult in my awful skill set, I’m totally the opposite of Weight: I’m a lumbering defensive minded player that doesn’t score too often. Weight on the other hand, he’s the wizard. He was so crafty, elusive. He was the guy who could thread the puck with such ease. Weight wasn’t a big hulking player, but boy could he play.
Back when I was a kid, he was the best Edmonton Oiler. Sure, other kids in my class would cheer for guys like Jason Arnott (who I was never a fan of), Curtis Joseph and the one kid who was obsessed with Kelly Buchberger, mine was number 39. How could I not? Year after year, Weight would lead the Oilers in points. Weight was the last of the Edmonton Oilers to get to 100 points in a season! Later on, he even wore the captaincy for a couple seasons. At lunch time, we would play soccer and pretend to be hockey players (I know, weird), and when we were the Edmonton Oilers, (we would rotate teams) I was always Doug Weight. Didn’t matter if I was playing goalie or defense, I was Doug Weight.
As a kid, you saw players leave. First was Jason Arnott in 1997, followed by Jospeh in summer of 98 where he jumped to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not even Kelly Buchberger was safe as he was claimed in the expansion draft in 99. I figured Doug Weight would always remain an Oiler but I was naive.
A week after my 12th birthday, my favourite Edmonton Oiler, was gone. He was traded to St Louis for a bunch of no namers (save for Marty Reasoner, but he was no Doug Weight). The Edmonton Oilers were not the same but I still followed Weight. Long after he left the Edmonton Oilers, he continued to produce in St. Louis. He would eventually be traded for the 05-06 Cup to the Hurricanes run where the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Hurricanes. A small consolation was Weight winning his only Stanley Cup. He would re-sign in St. Louis, later get dealt to Anaheim. As a free agent, Weight ended up with the New York Islanders, eventually becoming captain for a season and then retired.
Saturday
Now, earlier this month there was a public autograph signing at Pro Am Sports. Since I collect various memorabilia and I had never attended a public signing, I decided why not. It was Doug Weight! I decided I wanted an autographed Edmonton Oilers puck, since I had only one other, a Cheevers Hall of Fame signed puck.
I wouldn’t lie if I said I was excited all day. A chance to MEET Doug Weight? No way.
The drive there wasn’t story book. Nope, got stuck behind a train that was not moving. Had to maneuver the awful Yellowhead but I arrived.
While I was waiting in line, behind me was a little kid and his dad carrying a Weight jersey. Here’s this little guy, no more than five years old, asking his dad if he’s seeing this NHL player soon. The line would move quickly and I got my chance.
There he was. Sitting at the table. It wasn’t long, oh no, there was quite the line up behind me of course. But without missing a beat, I walked up and shook his hand saying
“Hey Doug, I grew up idolizing you. You were my favourite Edmonton Oiler and you still are to this day.”
He smiled, laughed and said it meant a lot.
It was the most genuine response. It’s hard to put into words because it was a blur and here’s a grown man fumbling what to say to his childhood idol.
I asked for a photo with Mr. Weight and he put his arm around my giant shoulder and smiled for the camera. He mentioned how it’s too bad that this is his last time visiting Rexall and that he missed the old place and misses Edmonton.
After signing the puck, I said thanks for being here, it made my day. I also told him, no offence, but I hope the Oilers win tomorrow. He chuckled.
I felt like that second grade kid who would pretend he was Doug Weight today. Even though the whole interaction did not last long, it made an impact.
I can’t help but think about the kid behind me. I don’t doubt he felt the same way.