Last Saturday night in Owen Sound, the Attack organization had a pre-game celebration to salute the career of former Plater Andrew Brunette here in Owen Sound and far beyond, a National Hockey League career that consisted of well over 1,000 games and more than 250 goals.
Understandably in this type of function, we didn’t have much time to talk, maybe 45 seconds at most before an organizational detail or an expected souvenir hunter interrupted the conversation.
What was said in our quick discussion is that the weekend was a working weekend for Brunette and the management team of the Minnesota Wild.
Yes, Brunette was in Owen Sound for a ceremony that carried great meaning to him, his family and his many friends, but there was also a game to watch, a prospect to check on,. Just like the night before at Guelph. Just like the following day, a doubleheader with stops at Mississauga & Oshawa scheduled.
Because Brunette was in Guelph the night before, I quickly asked about Robby Fabbri, a gifted and driven centreman for the Storm, who’s major drawback is that at 5 feet 10 inches, he’s not a giant.
Just before the organizational crisis was averted and the souvenir was signed, Andrew Brunette who speaks as accurately as he ever shot, about Fabbri, said, ‘ Loved him. LOVED him. “
And that was our conversation, but for the remainder of this season and for the foreseeable future, every time I see Robby Fabbri play, I’ll think of a terrific and fully deserved night in Owen Sound to salute Andrew Brunette.
I’m Fred Wallace