Saint John veterans thrilled to skate with Habs' alumni
Published Tuesday November 24th, 2009
Legends tour: Canadiens' squad adds local pair to its lineup for 7 p.m. game Wednesday at LBR
SAINT JOHN - Bob Kaine and Tom Johnston feel just like they're little kids again.
The two Saint John men remember planting themselves in front of a television set in the 1970s, watching their hockey hero Guy Lafleur dazzle fans and opponents.
On Wednesday, the local hockey players will once again watch Lafleur tear up the ice, only this time they'll be skating alongside him.
Kaine and Johnston were selected to play with the Montreal Canadiens alumni team during the NHL Legends Maritime Tour date in Saint John this week.
The alumni squad, featuring the likes of Lafleur, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Stephane Richer, will play against a squad of local legends at 7 p.m. at the Lord Beaverbrook Rink.
"I was just a kid in the 70s and Guy Lafleur was my idol," Kaine said. "I haven't slept since I found out I was playing."
"It's something just to meet (Lafleur), but to go out and skate with him and play on the same team as him, nobody else can say that. It's something else," added Johnston.
Kaine and Johnston were members the Saint John Vito's team that captured the Allan Cup in 1992. These days they play in a recreational league in Saint John. But that won't be the case Wednesday.
"They were really a no-brainer for who to add to the Montreal Canadiens, being both Allan Cup champions and well-known in hockey circles," said Steve Walton, the promoter who arranged the 16-game NHL Legends tour through the Atlantic provinces.
Walton said the opposing team will be made up of various players from recreation and senior leagues throughout the area, to give local players a chance to skate against their childhood heroes.
For Kaine and Johnston, that title is unequivocally given to Lafleur, regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players to ever skate in the National Hockey League.
"I idolized him when I was a kid and I do now," said the 44-year-old Kaine.
"It's definitely going to be a little bit nerve-racking (to play with the Canadiens alumni), but it's an honour for me to be involved in this."
The 50-year-old Johnston, who played 13 seasons with the senior Vito's, said he jumped at the opportunity to play with the Canadiens.
"It just blew my mind when Steve called me up and asked if I was interested. Who wouldn't be? You'd have a lineup at the door trying to play with Guy Lafleur and all the other Canadiens."
The rest of the alumni roster is comprised of Stephane Quintal, Gilbert Dionne, Patrice Brisebois, Richard Sevigny, Karl Dykhuis, Gilbert Delorme, Sergio Momesso, Mario Roberge, Alain Cote and Serge Boisvert.
"We use to pack this house (the LBR) all the time. It was amazing and it'll be like the old days (at the alumni game)," Johnston said.
Both players expect a fast-paced game and said they've been training to get in shape to keep up with the former pros.
"They can still move and pass and skate and it's just going to be amazing to see the talent that it takes to go to that next level, to go all the way," Johnston said.
Aside from ice-time, the star-struck locals feel lucky just to share a dressing room with the hockey greats.
"Just to be in the same dressing room with them, we'll be in awe that's for sure," Kaine said.
"It'll be amazing just to sit and listen to their stories."
Before stopping in Saint John, the alumni squad will play a game in Fredericton's Aitken Centre today. Ticket's for Wednesday's contest are available at the LBR, Portland Pub and Vito's restaurants. The price is $20 for adults and $15 for students.
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