14

February 17, 2007.

That's the date.

That's the date... he is coming.

For anyone who is now in their mid 40s and up, who spent their childhood in Toronto, as a hockey fan... This is a big, big deal. For everyone else - this will mean little.

For me, I've been waiting for this to happen for nearly 30 years. And there are many of us who have waited.. and waited... and waited.

And now it will happen.

Every child has a hero.... Mine was Dave Keon.

For so many years, and for his own private reasons, he has refused to participate in any Toronto Maple Leaf-sanctioned events. There have been countless opportunities, attempts, invitations, even petitions (I've signed about 4 of them over the years) and he has always, and respectively, declined.

It would have been so appropriate to see #14 be there at the closing of Maple Leaf Gardens in 1999. Where so many great moments and memories in that storied building, are a result of him.

But he declined. He just wanted to be left alone. Always respectively.

And that is one of the qualities why he is still a hero of mine. He has always been classy, respectful and dignified. Even as a snot-nosed kid in North Toronto, I recognized these traits, and admired him for them. I still do.

After he hung up his sweater in the early 80s, rightly or wrongly, became bitter at the Leafs' organization and especially, of the late Harold Ballard. Even in his bitterness and for all these years, he kept silent. He kept his dignity... contrast that, with today's egotistical, fouled mouthed and self important athletes. Dave Keon has always been a quiet man of class, whether you agree with him or not. I'm 45 and I still admire him, just like I did when I was 10.

On Saturday February the 17th in a pregame ceremony prior to the Leafs/Oilers game, the 1967 Toronto Maple Leaf team, the last blue & white team to win the Stanley Cup, will be honoured that night. Many of the players will be there... Johnny Bower, George Armstrong, Andy Bathgate ... And among those who will march on the red carpet at centre ice of the Air Canada Centre - David Michael Keon.

I will also be there, sitting far up in the stands - Acting like a 10 year old, yelling my damn guts out! Like I did so on many nights in front of my parent's black and white RCA TV.

I want to thank him. I've been waiting to thank him for so many years... I believe I will not be the only one.

This night will not mean much to many.

It will mean quite a lot to some.

And it will mean everything to me.

KE-ON...
KE-ON...
KE-ON...


Toronto Sun Article.