Fans started lining up at Chapters two hours before for the noon book signing of former Maple Leaf Tie Domi.
More than 150 people brought copies of Domi's memoir Shift Work for him to autograph along with a variety of hockey memorabilia.
Cory Loch, who was among the die-hard Leafs fans who lined up early, had two books and a photo of his brother with Domi.
Loch was so flustered at meeting his idol he forgot how to spell his own brother's name.
"I was so excited that it just all scrambled," laughed Loch. "Domi has to be the best enforcer that the Leafs have ever had. Meeting Tie Domi is like meeting God to me."
A sign on the stage said the former hockey star would not personalize the signings and only autograph a maximum of three books per person.
But during the more than two hour event at the Chapters on Barrie View Drive, Domi took time to shake hands, chat, sign multiple books and everything from hockey sticks to jerseys.
He also personalized every note he penned.
"Are you a reader?" Domi would ask when a fan joined him on the platform.
"Have you read the book?" he would query in a bid to break the ice with many star-struck devotees.
He also posed for pictures with everyone who attended while publicity staff snapped photos with cell phones belonging to fans.
The line stretched around the store as local hockey lovers and beyond waited patiently to see their favourite hockey star.
Shannon Sebert, 28, and her sister Lily, 31, travelled from Toronto because they had missed other stops on Domi's book tour.
Shannon brought two 5 X 4 feet paintings she had done of Domi when she attended Studio Arts at the University of Guelph.
Domi happily signed the art.
"It was amazing. I got a little light-headed," Shannon gushed. "I've been a huge fan for over 20 years."
Some parents took their children out of school to meet the famous hockey player.
"It was cool," said 8 year-old Ethan Adamson, a young hockey centre who is now a fan of Domi's son Max.
Ethan's mother Kim says the grade 3 student is reading some of Domi's book.
"Our son really likes hockey so we decided to let him miss a little bit of school so he could come and personally meet Tie Domi," Adamson said.
It was a family affair as dad Shaune wanted his son to meet his own favourite player when he was growing up.
The family was impressed by Domi's warm welcome.
"Very nice guy," said Shaune.
Domi will be signing books at the Walmart at 450 Bayfield from 5-8 p.m.
