I don’t have time to verify dates, but here’s the story in a nutshell. Rick Chartraw (old-time fans will remember him as a badass/warrior with a couple of rings I think) somehow arranged to get me and my family to meet the Edmonton Oilers in 1984 as the faced the Penguins.
Early we arrived. Very early, to the team’s hotel to ensure we wouldn’t miss anything. We did. We missed “The Great One.” According to his teammates, some of who you’ll recognize below, he was ALREADY at rink practicing. Hmmm, the greatest player in world was already practicing. So instead we spent about an hour having ice cream with the bust outs scattered about in photos:)
Wayne went on to score like 4 goals and 4 assists in a 9-2 victory over the Penguins. Happy BIRTHDAY, Wayne.
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The guy in the photo? That’s Rich Chartraw. I played youth hockey with him in Erie, PA when we were in high school. He left for Junior A in Ontario senior year. Then on the the NHL and 5 Stanley Cup rings.