Thread by @BrooksDSimpson

Time for a little story about a boy, his first hockey hero,and his hero's hero ... featuring @rodgilbert7 ...

When I first became really interested in ice hockey in 1969, there was only one team in New York ... the Rangers.

That's right, before the #Isles appeared, there was only one way to #PlayLikeANewYorker ...

... and the New Yorker I followed was #7, Rod Gilbert.

My mom secured a copy of his autobiography, co-written with @StanFischler, and I devoured it. Yes, Stan, I still have it. Goal: My Life on Ice.

When I went to my first game at MSG, guess who scored the first NHL goal I ever saw? That's right ... Rod Gilbert.

I went to see the Rangers practice at Skateland, a rink in New Hyde Park, during the 1971 playoff series with Chicago. I even got to say hello to Rod as he got into a car with Bob Nevin. The autographs would come later.

That summer, knowing I was about to go off to prep school at #Exeter, I convinced my parents to send me to hockey camp at Skateland where Rod and Brad Park were the headline stars (and they showed up all the time). I also met some guy named Nick Fotiu there.

Meeting Rod was one of those things I will always remember. He autographed my book ... his photo ... a number of pieces of paper ... and he did so with a smile. He was kind to my mother, who was pleased.

On the ice, he noticed that I wore #7 on my skates, just like the pros did, and he started telling "little number seven" to skate hard.

That was something.

Now, I knew from reading Rod's book that his childhood hero was Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, the Montreal Canadiens great who had finished his career with the Rangers. "The Boomer" assumed mythical dimensions in my imagination.

It was a two-week hockey camp. During the first week we learned that there would be an exhibition game that weekend featuring camp instructors (many were NHL players), local players ... and the Boomer.

Wow ... now I'd get to see the Boomer, too!

So Saturday night came. I went to the rink and squeezed into position right next to one of the players' benches.

Now, I really can't tell you much about the game itself. No matter. But I can tell you what happened between periods.

After the first period, the players stayed on the ice. They were going to go around the rink and sign autographs. I was ready for this moment, autograph book in hand.

And then I saw Boom Boom Geoffrion.

Something of the historian in me clicked (yes, even then ...). Most of the kids didn't know who Boomer was, but I did, thanks to Rod and Stan.

"Boomer! Boomer! Over here!"

Geoffrion looked up. He smiled.

And then he skated over to me, the first kid he was going to meet.

I couldn't believe it. I was so excited. The Boomer seemed to be beaming ... and then he signed my book.

Wow.

I guess you can forgive me for not remembering much about the game, because I had all the memory I needed.

Between Rod, Brad, several of the other instructors (I patterned my goal celebration dance after Pierre Jarry's celebration), and Boomer, I was hooked forever.

Blame @StanFischler and @rodgilbert7.