One day after Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko scored his second shutout of the season, hundreds of fans lined up outside Langleyѻýs Pastime Sports and Games on Sunday, Nov. 5, to get his autograph.
It was the grand opening and 30th anniversary celebration at the storeѻýs new location, which had just relocated from Langley City to newer, larger premises at 6375 202 St.
Maple Ridge resident Mark Igglesden was first in line to get an autograph, and his picture taken with Demko.
ѻýAs far as Iѻým concerned, heѻýs the hottest goalie in the league right now, and Iѻým a Canucks fan,ѻý a delighted Igglesden told the Langley Advance Times.
Pastime owner Ken Richardson was cheerfully supervising the lineup of fans that stretched from the front of the building, to the rear of the parking lot, and back again.
ѻýThereѻýs lots of Canucks fans these days,ѻý Richardson remarked, ѻýand the performance of Thatcher, it couldnѻýt be better timing.ѻý
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Demko stopped 27 shots to produce a 2-0 win over the Dallas Stars in front of a home crowd on Saturday at Rogers Arena.
ѻýThat was a good game,ѻý Demko remarked.
The 27-year-old appeared to be enjoying his visit to Langley, saying ѻýitѻýs good to get out of the city every once in a while.ѻý
On Sunday, fan and after fan praised Demkoѻýs performance on Saturday, one calling him ѻýThatcher the catcher.ѻý
One grandparent brought a photo of her goalie grandson, and after getting an encouraging message written on it from Demko, said ѻýgrandmaѻýs going to cry when she gets in the car.ѻý
A young fan shyly offered a portrait she made of Demko.
ѻýI drew this for you,ѻý she said, ѻýdo you want to keep it?ѻý
Demko picked it up gently for a look.
ѻýAbsolutely,ѻý he said.
ѻýThatѻýs awesome. How long does that take you?ѻý
ѻýA couple hours,ѻý she replied.
ѻýThatѻýs pretty quick,ѻý he responded. ѻýWell, thank you, I appreciate that.ѻý
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Former Canucks goaltender Richard Brodeur, who has gone on to become a respected artist after he retired from the NHL, was also enjoying himself as fans presented photos and jerseys for autographs.
ѻýItѻýs nice to see the people still appreciate and show me some love, and thatѻýs thatѻýs nice,ѻý Brodeur told the Langley Advance Times.
ѻýIt makes me feel good. Iѻým not a young chicken anymore, Iѻým an old guy,ѻý he smiled.
ѻýTo be able to do that and share some time with people, itѻýs always nice and itѻýs really good.ѻý
It marked a return to the social events the store was known for before the pandemic, Richardson said.
ѻýThereѻýs always been a sense of community and camaraderie at Pastime,ѻý he commented.
ѻýItѻýs a generational appeal, especially with trading cards,ѻý he said. ѻýPeople that used to come in as kids now bring their own children to trade, play and finish off their sets. Iѻýve been fortunate to have been part of all that.ѻý
Since opening in 1993, Pastime has grown to four locations in the Lower Mainland, and is considered Western Canadaѻýs number one source for sports memorabilia and collectible card games.