One of our readers, Gina, was lucky enough to attend the Blackhawks Convention that we have talked about since the summer started. And she wrote a recap for the blog complete with pictures.
We can't thank her enough for being there when we couldn't and thinking of us while she was there.
-&-Blackhawks Convention
Day 1Oh man, where to begin…
So the Blackhawks Convention was at the Hilton Chicago, a very swanky hotel, and we really had no idea where we were going, so trying to park was nuts. But we randomly ended up getting sweet primo parking in this reserved area! Apparently we parked next to Bobby Hull, and then John McDonoungh had parked next to us. We didn’t know about the Pres until we were leaving and the valet told us he had just left. Ugh figures…
Well we had VIP passes, but no one working there really knew what they were for, since we were about the only ones with them. Not until later did we find out that they were supposed to be for us to get privileged seating for the opening ceremonies, which we unfortunately had to watch on the T.V. outside the Grand Ballroom… So our VIP passes should have been VLP for “Very Lame People”.
During the opening ceremonies, they introduced a lot of Hawks’ alumni, including Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. Then they introduced the team. Everyone was looking ADORABLE! We melted as everyone walked out. Jonny Toews greeted everyone and I melted even more…
After Hossa and Kopceky were announced, a lot of people started the “DETROIT SUCKS” chant, I think it’s everyone’s favorite…
At the end of day 1, we were getting pretty tired, and none of the players were really walking around, because security was lame, and all the lines were super long. However, we did wait in line for Duncan Keith. He was super nice; I made him feel old when I told him I go to Michigan State, just like he did. Also, the lady couldn’t figure out how to use my camera, so I got to stand up there extra long. I did accidentally touch his butt…can I just tell you it is very nice. He’s just awesome.
Day 2The day started with captains talking, so of course Jonny T was there, and so were we. Just being in the same room as him made me die, and hearing him speak in person… I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant. As he was just looking around the room, he looked in my general direction; I basically melted, died, and tried not to faint. It was great! Fans got to ask questions, so this little girl went up to the mic, told her name and says, “My question is for Jonathan Toews. Um. Did you get the letter I sent you?” His face was priceless, I wish I had my camera on at that moment. But his answer was great, “Yes I did. It was nice. Thank you.” We were laughing to the point of tears because it was cute and hilarious.
Security was ridiculous and wouldn’t let anyone get close to Toews as they took him away to some “secret place” in the hotel. What did they think we were going to do? Stab him? Definitely not what we would do, we love him. Maybe attack him with a hug… But anywho, the lines for autographs were super long and we didn’t feel like waiting in them, we were really only there for Kaner and Tazer. I think that we were the only girls their age there without boyfriends. Everyone else was like 16, so if only we could have met them, we possibly would have had a chance…Oh yes. I can dream!
Later on, the 2009 All-Stars were talking, so we went to that of course. Kane and Toews for sure have a bromance. They were poking fun at each other for the entire session, and we loved it. Kane is a smartass, but that makes us love him even more. During the question portion, pretty much every girl in the room ran to the mic and most of their questions were for Jonny T. One girl had enough guts to ask if Tazer had a girlfriend, to which he replied, “No I actually don’t”. SCORE! I’ll do it! People asked about favorite hockey movies, which is a good question, because everyone has a favorite hockey movie. Toews’ happens to be Slapshot, and Kane’s is Mighty Ducks. Well of course! Great movies!
With one question we finally got to the bottom of the Kane mouth guard!! One girl asked about when Franzen took Kane’s mouth guard out of his mouth and threw it on the ice, and then asked why it’s never in his mouth. He said he was “shocked when Franzen took it out, and didn’t really know what to do”. And then he said that “its just a really, REALLY bad habit. I don’t even know I’m doing it. I need a new mouth guard like every few games because it’s chewed to hell.”
Kane told us all a funny story about Toews and the NHL 10 videogame. Toews had approached Kane about whether he was really on the cover of NHL 10, and Kane said yes. And a little while later Toews goes “Why aren’t I on the cover?!?” Aw poor Toews, maybe next time!
All those security people prevented everyone from going up to him…so sad. But nice behind!
After the All-Stars thing, we were bored and every line was ridiculous, so we left for a while and went to the bean, and just walked around.
When we came back our luck had changed! The line for Seabrook’s photo was short, so we ran into that and got our picture with Seabs! And can I just say that he is adorable in person! And super nice! Then we walked around the vendor area looking for stuff to buy, and then people were lining up for pictures with Andrew Ladd, so we got into line for that. It went fast, and he had the most adorable smile when we got our pictures.
We were trying all day to find Verbeauty, no luck, sorry ladies. But we did get up close to Sharpie! We just walked up the way that people were leaving from the autographs, and I whipped out my camera and took some pictures. But then a security woman came up to us and asked us suspiciously if we were waiting for people to come out of the line, because apparently you aren’t supposed to be there taking pictures… Well we lied and told her yes, but when she turned around, we ran out of there quick! But we got to see Mr. Sex-on-Ice himself. And he is HAWT!
