Submitted by Brian Colin / November 19, 2009 /
There are hockey fans, and then there’s Hayden Allison. While many of his friends, classmates and teammates are admiring NHL stars from afar, Hayden is getting up close and personal with them.
“When I was six, I got a few autographs from an NHL player from Kitchener,” he said. “And then I just started getting more. And now I have almost 500.”
Hayden met New Jersey Devils captain Scott Stevens in 2003, kissed Lord Stanley’s Cup and began a quest—to get a puck autographed by every living NHL player.
Hayden’s room is a shrine to his hockey heroes. And the stories of meeting the players are both fascinating and incredible. Hayden’s father, Brian Allison, has documented each of Hayden’s meetings in three large scrapbooks, and the memories grow nearly every week.
“He adds a new autograph almost every week, so his collection is growing fast,” explains Allison.
“It’s a pretty neat hobby.”
Hayden’s favourite player meeting?
“Alexander Ovechkin. He’s so awesome.”
And who will Hayden be meeting in the ?future?
“Well, I’m scheduled to meet Guy Lafleur, Mario Lemieux and Nazem Kadri in the next few months,” he said.
Hayden says he and his dad attend public and private autograph events in and around the Toronto area.
“If we wanted to, we could go meet a new player almost every week,” said Hayden. “But we can’t make them all.”
Hayden, who plays for the Kitchener Peewee Rangers, has a busy hockey schedule, as well as school and family events.
“We go when we can. It’s always fun to meet a new player.”
The pucks are all proudly displayed in Hayden’s bedroom. But one gets a sense that this hobby isn’t just about obtaining autographs.
“Every time we meet a player, it’s a story” said Hayden. “My Dad and I have been doing this for over six years, and we have so many good stories.”
“Each autographed puck is really a reminder of meeting that player,” said Brian. “Every meeting has a story, and that’s the best part: a kid getting to meet his heroes and share their passion for hockey. That’s pretty cool.”
If you would like to contact Hayden or comment on his collection, please email him at haydenallison_22@hotmail.com. |