I know this is repetitive on my part, but Chris Minard came home to Owen Sound this week, only days after the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup.
The Owen Sound Minor Hockey grad played 20 games for the Penguins during the season and was part of the ” Black Aces ” for the Penguins during their run to the Cup.
We talked about the Penguins win and the impact on the city.
We talked about the parties with the Stanley Cup including two affairs at the home of owner Mario Lemieux.
He related how in one day he shook hands with Mario, Steve Yzerman & Gordie Howe.
No matter how much of a professional you are, you’d have to be jazzed to shake hands with some of the greatest players of all time.
Minard admits Yzerman was his favorite player growing up and upon introducing himself, Minard was stunned that Yzerman, an executive in the Red Wings organization, was familiar with him having seen him play.
Will 34 goals in the AHL & another in the NHL this year get Chris Minard to the NHL ?
He hopes so.
Minard is negotiating with the Penguins these days, but he becomes a free agent effective July 1st and is likely to gauge interest from other NHL teams before he makes any concrete decision.
I’m Fred Wallace
