Would an autograph mean any less if they signed a different name?
Let's say you spent your whole life trying to meet and get Niklas Lidstrom's autograph and when you did he signed "Bob Dole 0" instead of his name and number. Would that make the autograph or chance to meet him anything less than what you expected? Since when did someone writing their name onto an object become one of everyone's goals in following hockey. Now I will admit that I have only been to one autograph signing IN MY LIFE and it wasn't until I was 22. Everyone was going so I figured that I would go as well but once I got there I realized how ridiculous this whole situation was. I PAID to stand in line, walk up to a table, have someone write their name on a picture of themselves, and we would share an awkward moment or two and I would walk away feeling like a bit of a jackhole for the whole situation.
When I think about players my age being asked for autographs it freaks me out. It's extremely bizarre to me that someone would like you to write your name onto a piece of paper and that they're going to "treasure it forever". I have a feeling that if I did anything for anyone to feel it necessary to ask for my autograph I would most likely sign someone else's name to prove a point at how weird it is. I understand that meeting a player is a thrill, a topic I'll discuss momentarily, but what does having their name on an object do for your life? Do you love them any less because you don't have their autograph? The chances are probably not. Does having this object adorn with some chicken scratch make you love them more? Chances are no. I have a feeling that no matter if you have their autograph or not, how much you like/love a player would not change as a result.
It's not okay to shanghai a player.
When it comes to meeting players this is where I think it gets a little sketchy. I am a firm believer that if a player is out and about they are not obligated to sign or take pictures with anyone for any reason. I don't care if a player is just sitting at a bar alone, there is NOTHING that says that he is supposed to do or talk to a fan if he chooses not to do so. If a player is out to dinner, I don't think that anyone should feel that it's okay to walk up to that player and interrupt their meal to ask for a picture or autograph. It's this inconsiderate behavior by fans that turns players into hermits that you'll never see interacting in the public much. When the players leave the ice, and are not at a team function, they are essentially off the clock. Now some players are incredibly nice and will sign or take pictures. I commend these players for being great sports but also add that they do so out of CHOICE not OBLIGATION. So the next time you hear a story about someone who a player didn't or wouldn't interact with in an "off the clock" situation remind yourselves that the player does not owe it to anyone to interact with them and trashing that player's reputation for not doing so is reprehensible and classless.
