Burke reminisces about Selanne

Just when you think you couldn't possibly hear a story that would make you like Teemu Selanne any more, this one comes along from The Calgary Herald.

“I remember one night in Dallas,” Flames’ interim GM Brian Burke, Selanne’s boss in Anaheim the Stanley Cup season of 2006-2007, was reminiscing Wednesday. “Everyone’s on the bus. Coaches. Players. Everyone. We’ve done our security check and we’re not moving. Not budging. I mean, what the hell. So I yell at the travel guy ‘WHY are were sitting here?’ And he said: ‘8-Ball.’ That’s what the players called Teemu. Finally, he got on the bus and I said ‘You gawd-damned Finn, why are we all sitting here waiting for you?’

“And he said, as he’s patting me on the shoulder — big smile on his face — ‘Fans, Burkie. Fans.’

“He stops for every photo. He signs every autograph. He has a word for everyone. A smile. I’ve had some great players in that regard — Gio’s an example here — but this guy is . . . special.

“Of all the players I’ve been associated with — and I’ve been doing this a long time — I’ve never known a more gracious player. In my life. I don’t know if there’s ever been one.”

Source: George Johnson, Calgary Herald