Publisher’s Comment: Deadline for O/O of the Year nominations is near

by Rob Wilkins

Do you know someone deserving of the coveted 2006 Owner/Operator of the Year award? If you do, the deadline for nominations is May 31. As in past years, the judges will be looking for that guy or girl who stands above the crowd. If you know someone who is deserving, turn to page 18 and drop it in the mail. Do it sooner than later since our deadline for entries is fast approaching.

Late last month I had the opportunity to attend Toronto Transit Club’s “Road Carrier Night.” Judging by the 400-plus people in attendance, this club is alive and well.

Special guest was none other than former Leaf backstop, Johnny Bower. Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember him standing on his head in the ’67 series. Although I didn’t get the opportunity to speak with him that night, I did have that pleasure a number of years ago.

Back in the early ’90s, I was an avid hockey card collector. My Sundays almost always included attending a card show somewhere in the GTA. Like every other collector, I was in search of that elusive vendor who didn’t know the value of what he or she had.

One Sunday morning, arriving early for a show at the local Ramada, I took a seat in the lobby. Directly opposite me sat a man whose face was hidden behind our local paper’s sports section. After a few minutes, the stranger returned the section to the coffee table. You can imagine the look on this die-hard, blue-blooded Leafs fan when it turned out to be Johnny Bower.

Not wanting to appear like a starstruck groupie, I simply said “Good morning, Mr. Bower” to which he replied “Good morning” while my hand disappeared into his paw.

We talked hockey for the better part of 10 minutes. At one point, the subject of rookie cards came up. He offered up that when he broke into the league, he gave all his away to friends and fans.

As it turns out, the one he did have tucked away at home he bought at a card show. Yes, that’s correct, bought (shame on the seller, whoever you are. I hope it was you that I bought my Brett Hull rookie card from for one quarter its worth!)

Look in the dictionary under “gentleman” and you’ll find Johnny Bower’s picture.

If you ever have the opportunity, go out of your way to introduce yourself. He’s an emissary to our beloved national sport and someone who deserves all hockey fans respect. Selling him his own card – unbelievable!

Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416-510-5123.


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