SAN JOSE, Calif. — Stan Mikita played nearly half of his career in the NHLThere were only six teams then.
His photos on the ice look like art. Fans are watching in three-piece suits with trilby hats as he does. They seem to be talking about advertising deals with Roger Sterling and Don Draper, rather than whether Mikita or the other skaters are involved. BlackhawksYou can take the power of the great Canadiens.
A few of these photos can be found in the SAP Center press box. Doug Wilson referred to Mikita twice Saturday. Mikita was his very first NHL roommate in his early days of being an NHL player.
Wilson was honored Saturday night at the Sharks with a banner in the rafters at SAP Center next to one for franchise founder George Gund, considered players like Mikita, Keith Magnuson and Tony Esposito to be mentors. Sharks captain, Tony Esposito, was the guest just before the game. Logan CoutureWilson was more than just a general manager.
“I think what I am is just a reflection of all sorts of different people in this organization,” Wilson said. “I think you all know how I feel about Mr. Gund. Without him, we wouldn’t be here. To be up here to represent all the people of the last 25-30 years, it’s an honor that I take and can’t even put into words.”
Sometimes, one person can give a direct line through seven centuries of hockey history, weaving together two franchises.
