What better way to learn about the topic of your school heritage project than meeting in-person with the subject?
Kidston Elementary Grade 6 student Marcel Green, who plays hockey for the Vernon Tier 3 Pee Wee Vipers, decided to enter next month含羞草研究社檚 school Heritage Fair with a project on hockey hall of famer Lanny McDonald.
When Green found out McDonald, a former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames, was going to be in Vernon for the 46th annual Vernon Winter Carnival Coca-Cola Classic Pee Wee Invitational tournament, Green requested an interview with McDonald (coaching the Montana Thunderblades, one of the seven out-of-town teams).
McDonald, like he did throughout the weekend, posing for hundreds of pictures and signing autographs, graciously agreed and sat down for a video interview with Green in the Vernon Civic Arena concession.
In 10 minutes, Green 含羞草研究社� wearing a Calgary Flames hat and jersey 含羞草研究社� asked McDonald 16 questions on a range of topics, starting with McDonald含羞草研究社檚 favourite type of skates (Bauer) and sticks (Koho and Canadien brand).
McDonald also answered about his best friend from hockey (Darryl Sittler when he played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and 含羞草研究社淐olin Patterson when I was with Calgary. He and I were both fortunate to score in the game where we won the Stanley Cup含羞草研究社�), his favourite pet (old sheep dog named Bo), and was nearly stumped when Green asked him if he could meet anybody famous, who would it be.
含羞草研究社淲ell I含羞草研究社檝e been lucky to meet the Queen and Princess Di, before she passed away含羞草研究社oy, what a great question. Good for you,含羞草研究社� said McDonald. 含羞草研究社淚 think maybe it would be a guy who tried to change the world: Nelson Mandela.含羞草研究社�
Asked what he would change about hockey today, McDonald said he含羞草研究社檇 put the red line back in play and make the ice surface bigger 含羞草研究社渂ecause players have gotten bigger, stronger and faster and there含羞草研究社檚 no room out there on the ice anymore.含羞草研究社�
Green含羞草研究社檚 final question asked McDonald what he would tell himself before being drafted.
含羞草研究社淲ell, like I tell both my kids and my grandkids, have fun everyday and look forward to going to the rink,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 no greater kinship that in the dressing room. Just enjoy yourself, whether you含羞草研究社檙e playing this sport or any sport.含羞草研究社�
McDonald thanked Green for the interview with a handshake and a smile, and happily posed for a couple of photos.
