It was a humid Friday night in Ottawa, and I was heading out with the boys to the local watering hole downtown. I knew Team Canada had been training at the University of Ottawa for the last week............

and I had been hearing all week, everyone was getting a chance to meet the players, but I didn’t think I was going to be so lucky.

Statistically Mario Lemieux stands 6’4 and weighs around 230lbs, but when you see him in person, his presence makes him look about 10’4, and his legacy makes him giant.

I could not believe the scene that night. Mario was there with Martin Brodeur and Simon Gagne. They must have strolled into the bar early in the night and set up shop against a wall, with a long table dividing them from the rest of the crowd. There was a small entrance to their sectioned off part of the bar where only the best looking girls could access, or the odd ballsy male patron who developed enough courage to walk over to the Magnificent one like I did.

It’s not everyday you see in person, the guys you watch on TV every night in the highlights. I remember watching Mario lift the cup over his head in ‘92 and getting awarded his gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002. Standing next to him was surreal and it was easy to get lost in the moment.

After awhile I took note of Mario’s persona and the way he interacted with everyone. He’s a normal guy and he was just out to have a few drinks, but it seemed like a Freakshow, and he appeared to be enjoying himself. Brodeur sat quietly in a chair and stayed out of the attention, while Gagne also kept a low profile. Perhaps Mario seemed to enjoy the attention more just because and all eyes were on him. I couldn’t believe how many people strolled up to him, shook his hand and walked away without even giving Brodeau or Gagne a glance.

I asked one girl in the bar which one she wanted to meet and she confidently answered without hesitiation “I don’t care, they’re all millionaires”. I thought to myself afterwards, that her comments were pretty shallow, but at least she was honest with me, and herself.

Shaking Mario’s hand was pretty cool, but when he laughed non chalontely after I said to him “I could skate circles around you” I didn’t think he had heard what I said.

It was impressive to me what kind of attention the three of them drew to themselves at the bar. It made me wonder what it would be like going through life as one of these “larger then life” figures.

I was very impressed with the way Mario carried himself, while having hundreds of people trying to shake his hand at once, but by now he’s probably use to it.

The hottest girls it the bar were latching on to them like lichens in the south Pacific, but can you really blame them? These guys are super-human!

Meeting Mario Lemieux was a memorable experience and an interesting insight into the life of a super hero. It certainly would appear to be a glamorous lifestyle.

I could certainly handle the attention from Ottawa’s finest looking girls, but what did they really want from the 36 year old? Were they in it for an autograph or perhaps a first date before Team Canada leaves for the Worlds?

What’s life like for these guys who have the world watching them every time they head out to a restaurant or go for a drink with the boys?

I think the glamour and glitz changes people, and that’s just the way it is. With there celebrity comes added responsibility, and it was fun to watch how these three NHL superstars carried their responsibility with them that memorable night in Ottawa.