Thread: Meet the players

My first issue was with the fact that they had one line wrapping around the side closest to the 110, but then if you went around to the other side you could walk right up to the doors. The staff didn't seem to care that some people waited in line while others didn't.

I can understand why people got fewer autographs. There's simply more STHs than there were before. Trying to fit more people in with the same amount of time will lead to fewer player experiences. I got to the station with Bernier, Gagne, Mitchell, and Richards first. Then walked over to Voynov, Lewis, and Doughty. Got into the standby line for Clifford, Martinez, and Penner. Clifford had to go, so he just went through he whole line signing stuff. Penner and Martinez stayed about 30 minutes or so after close, those guys were real class acts.

On the one hand maybe Tip-a-King will be better, but then again, that isn't STH-only, so it might be worse. Just something we need to cope with having more STHs and more fans in general, folks.

Here is a sneak preview of where our banners will be...

Originally Posted by TooCool

Here is a sneak preview of where our banners will be...

You saw those too eh? They didn't do the best job of rolling them up did they

Originally Posted by TooCool

Here is a sneak preview of where our banners will be...

See, I tried to upload that picture, but then accidentally uploaded a picture of my broken toe, much to my embarrassment.

My wife and I got there (in line outside of SC) about 6:00pm on the dot, the line was wrapped around towards Fig, but we were still even with the convention center, meaning, we weren't waaaay back. They started letting people in shortly there after, it took us about 10 minutes or so to enter the building. We grabbed our vouchers, and our directory and were on our way.

Luckily, her favorite player Willie Mitchell, and my favorite player, Mike Richards were grouped together, WINNING! We were pretty stoked and b-lined it over to M24, we were seated in the section, about 7 rows from the top. This meant we didnt have to wait too long, they had the football game going up on the jumbo tron, so that kind of helped eased the wait. When we got to the players, they were all very nice and happy to sign and take a picture with you. Willie Mitchell was really funny, I had bought a game-used stick of his for my wife last season, (a WARRIOR that he was using when he first came to LA). He was like, "wow, where did you get this?!?! I LOOOVED these sticks, in fact, I think I'll just keep this one" And he was checking it out, lifting it and holding it, stick handling the air. It was really cool to see him so stoked on that! We each got a picture with Bernier, Mitchell, Gagne and Richards. I had Mike sign my game-used stick of his that I also bought last season.

Next up we headed over to the Cliffie, A-Mart and Penner area. Again, we were able to walk down to some seats, this time we were about 6 rows from the ice. The wait was about 30 minutes or so? I don't recall exactly. Cliffie was great, and took pictures with us, same with A-Mart and Penner. The line was kind of held up a bit, so since I was there hanging with Cliffie, I told him how rad it was when he beat the crap out of Staubitz (Wild) and also when he handled Carcillo (flyers). He laughed and said, "thanks man, its always a good feeling when you win a fight". Once the line picked up, we moved along and didnt chat with the others, I didn't want to hold up the line.

After leaving that area, we tried to get in line for Carter, Richardson and I forget who else was with them. It was only 8:30 pm, and the usher told us that the section was closed, and no one else would be admitted. Bummer, so we then cruised around and saw the insane lines for Dustin Brown, and the section next to him, Jonathan Quick's line, those extended well into the concourse.....meaning, no way in hell would get in. So we moved on, and got in line for Daryl, Nick, Bob, Jim and Bernie. It was 8:50 at that point, and by the time we got to them, it was about 9:20. Since I already had Nick and Bob sign my book at the Lakewood event, I just had Daryl, Foxy and Bernie sign it. They were great, and were genuine as usual.

All in all, we had a good time. There was a couple next to us in the Cliffie/A-Mart/Penner section that told us after waiting 45 minutes in line for Quick, they were told they had to leave, because his section reached capacity. We then saw another couple that was in front of us outside when we were waiting to get in, as we exited we saw them and they told us, she waited the ENTIRE TIME for Quick, and got axed out. We felt bad for them.

Cliff notes of our night:
Bernier-pic, autograph
Mitchell-pic, autograph
Gagne-pic, autograph
Clifford-pic, autograph
Martinez-pic, autograph
Penner-pic, autograph
Evans-autograph
Nickson-said hello (already had him sign my book and have a pic with him)
Miller-said hello (already had him sign my book and have a pic with him)
Foxy-autograph
Nicholls-autograph

I had a great time even though my friends flaked on me. Thank you again to PMasterB for the tickets. I passed the extra along so both tickets were used.

It was cold outside. I was waiting in line at the 11th street/Georgia entrance. Got in line about 5:30 and the line was from the entrance to the corner and back around towards Staples when I got in line. After that it started back towards the convention center. Bailey came around and put my head in his furry mouth and then took a picture. Went inside, bought the book at the merchandise kiosk, was able to use my Bailey's Buddies 10% on top of the $10 discount so it was under $50.

First line I came to was Stoll, Richardson, and Carter and it wasn't that crowded so I waited for those guys, following the advice that I wasn't likely to get through the big name groups anyways. Stoll was very nice, didn't really say much with Richardson and Carter. Saw a woman ask Penner to take his tooth out when taking a picture with her while waiting to go up to Stoll, Richardson, and Carter.

Got in the Clifford, Martinez, and Penner line next. It was only 4 rows down at that point so it wasn't too long of a wait. You could tell Kyle was watching the football game so I asked him who he was rooting for and he said Green Bay. I told Martinez that the internet reports made his facial injury sound really bad but he still looked good. He said it wasn't real fun and I commiserated with him about having surgery recently myself. I took a picture with Penner and he seemed like he was having a good time. Told him I hoped he kicked some ass this year.

At that point I got in line to go down to see the Stanley Cup because I hadn't seen it yet. That line wasn't that long when I got there but was much longer when I came back up. The guy outside the locker room made the comment that they must have mentioned the Cup being there because at the beginning of the night until they made the announcement, hardly anyone was down there because they didn't know the Cup was there. Was a teeny bit disappointed they had it roped off so you couldn't get right up next to it, but seeing the Cup is always special.

At that point it was like 8:20 and I figured I wasn't going to see any more players so I got in the line for Bob, Jim, Nick, and Daryl. They were all very nice and asked your names to personally sign the book. Asked Bob if he was afraid he'd never get to hold the Cup and he said he was starting to worry. Asked Jim when his wine was going to come out and he seemed excited about it. Said they still needed to get their licensing for it though.

Ran into the store to spend my $5 gift card from Bailey's Buddies (the kiosks couldn't take the gift cards) and I bought a Stanley Cup Champs shot glass. Because Bailey's Buddies, it's for the kids you know.

Grabbed my hot dog and diet coke (since they were out of the others) and left.

I understand that the banners on the left side are the retired numbers...but what about the three on the right?

Are the old Division and Conference title banners still on the wall? If so, why three? I have read on here that there will be a Cup Champ and Conference Champ banner, but what is the third banner for?

I got there at 5:00...froze...watched my phone in horror as Denver choked...went straight to the Fearsome Foursome: Quick, Davis, Greener, and Westy. The cat running the show (bald dude) couldn't figure out how to take a pic w/ my iphone...so my pic with Quick blew....so I did my own the rest of the night.

Davis had a Clay Matthews jersey on under his Kings jersey...Green said he'll never ever have that stague again like the one he had after Game 6..and I thanked Westy or being so diligent with the talks. Very cool guys. Cliffy, Marty, and Pancake were great..in fact, I told Penner how I liked his Spanish at the Victory Rally...and he said "gra-cee-ahs".

Missed out on Stoll, Richardson, and Carter - wait too long...who were laughing very hard several times. The guys really get along.

Anyone else tour the locker room? I did....40 minute wait...but very cool...with Lord Stanly in the room. Took a ton of pics...then back out into the cold...but I didn't mind. Hockey was back.

Thanks for all of the updates.

I'll keep this brief. Got in line at Staples around 5:30 and headed straight toward the Quick line once in. Almost 3 hrs later I got my jersey signed. By that point the players seemed to be fading. I thanked them for their time and patience.

Every other line was capped off or wait with no guarantees. It was almost 9 so I decided to go home...after picking up the Stanley Cup book w/ DVD.