One day after Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko scored his second shutout of the season, hundreds of fans lined up outside LangleyB次元官网网址檚 Pastime Sports and Games on Sunday, Nov. 5, to get his autograph.
It was the grand opening and 30th anniversary celebration at the storeB次元官网网址檚 new location, which had just relocated from Langley City to newer, larger premises at 6375 202 St.
Maple Ridge resident Mark Igglesden was first in line to get an autograph, and his picture taken with Demko.
B次元官网网址淎s far as IB次元官网网址檓 concerned, heB次元官网网址檚 the hottest goalie in the league right now, and IB次元官网网址檓 a Canucks fan,B次元官网网址� a delighted Igglesden told the Langley Advance Times.
Pastime owner Ken Richardson was cheerfully supervising the lineup of fans that stretched from the front of the building, to the rear of the parking lot, and back again.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of Canucks fans these days,B次元官网网址� Richardson remarked, B次元官网网址渁nd the performance of Thatcher, it couldnB次元官网网址檛 be better timing.B次元官网网址�
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Demko stopped 27 shots to produce a 2-0 win over the Dallas Stars in front of a home crowd on Saturday at Rogers Arena.
B次元官网网址淭hat was a good game,B次元官网网址� Demko remarked.
The 27-year-old appeared to be enjoying his visit to Langley, saying B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 good to get out of the city every once in a while.B次元官网网址�
On Sunday, fan and after fan praised DemkoB次元官网网址檚 performance on Saturday, one calling him B次元官网网址淭hatcher the catcher.B次元官网网址�
One grandparent brought a photo of her goalie grandson, and after getting an encouraging message written on it from Demko, said B次元官网网址済randmaB次元官网网址檚 going to cry when she gets in the car.B次元官网网址�
A young fan shyly offered a portrait she made of Demko.
B次元官网网址淚 drew this for you,B次元官网网址� she said, B次元官网网址渄o you want to keep it?B次元官网网址�
Demko picked it up gently for a look.
B次元官网网址淎bsolutely,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 awesome. How long does that take you?B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淎 couple hours,B次元官网网址� she replied.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 pretty quick,B次元官网网址� he responded. B次元官网网址淲ell, thank you, I appreciate that.B次元官网网址�
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Former Canucks goaltender Richard Brodeur, who has gone on to become a respected artist after he retired from the NHL, was also enjoying himself as fans presented photos and jerseys for autographs.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to see the people still appreciate and show me some love, and thatB次元官网网址檚 thatB次元官网网址檚 nice,B次元官网网址� Brodeur told the Langley Advance Times.
B次元官网网址淚t makes me feel good. IB次元官网网址檓 not a young chicken anymore, IB次元官网网址檓 an old guy,B次元官网网址� he smiled.
B次元官网网址淭o be able to do that and share some time with people, itB次元官网网址檚 always nice and itB次元官网网址檚 really good.B次元官网网址�
It marked a return to the social events the store was known for before the pandemic, Richardson said.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 always been a sense of community and camaraderie at Pastime,B次元官网网址� he commented.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a generational appeal, especially with trading cards,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧eople that used to come in as kids now bring their own children to trade, play and finish off their sets. IB次元官网网址檝e been fortunate to have been part of all that.B次元官网网址�
Since opening in 1993, Pastime has grown to four locations in the Lower Mainland, and is considered Western CanadaB次元官网网址檚 number one source for sports memorabilia and collectible card games.
