Hockey Fan Gets Karmic Justice With The Player That Snubbed Him For An Autograph
Rick Vaive broke a young fan’s heart — probably never expecting to see him again. But you know what they say: "What goes around, comes around." Years later, the former NHL star crossed paths with the fan once again. And Vaive learned the hard way that when some people hold grudges, they'll do anything to see them through.
Another day at the rink
It all began back in the summer of 1983 at a hockey rink in Toronto. The ice was packed that day with skaters both young and old, amateur and professional, and among the crowd whizzing to and fro was 14-year-old Brendan Shanahan.
In need of an autograph
Shanahan, a Mimico native and talented youth hockey player, was busy going about his usual on-ice routine — that is, until he caught word that Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Rick Vaive, was skating on the next rink over. A lifelong Leafs fan, Shanahan knew he couldn't go home without an autograph from his idol.
Meeting his idol
"[We] were actually in dressing rooms that were right next to each other," Shanahan recalled to the Newark Ledger. "I went in when he was sort of settled and asked him for an autograph." Unfortunately, Vaive wasn't so receptive.
Fateful snub
"I didn't get the best response from Rick Vaive at that time," Shanahan revealed. Apparently, the NHL star couldn't be bothered to sign an autograph for one of his biggest fans. Most kids probably would've just walked away disappointed. But this was a moment Brendan Shanahan would never ever forget. And Vaive’s actions would eventually come back to haunt him.
