Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky gave hundreds of fans the thrill of a lifetime during a visit to Barrie Sunday to sign copies of his new book, 99 Stories of the Game.
"It was like a lifetime experience," said Marco Bruni, 12, after the Great One offered to sign Bruni's jersey. "I was nervous. He was nice."
Bruni's father Mike woke his three young sons at 6 a.m. to line up outside Chapters Barrie for some of the 400 wristbands handed out to lucky fans who would meet Gretzky as he signed their book.
"My sons all play hockey and I've been telling them stories about Gretzky all their life," said Bruni, 41, from Barrie. "I've been a Gretzky fan all my life so I've always considered him the best ever. There's never going to be anybody better than Gretzky. He just shook my hand because I said 'Not only are you the best hockey player, you're the best athlete, ever.'"
Kelly Skilton has Gretzky on her license plate, Gretzky in her e-mail address, is number 99 when she plays hockey and even has Gretzky permanently inked on the back of her neck.
No surprise then that the Keswick mom was second in line for wristbands.
Skilton, a self-proclaimed "die-hard" Gretzky fan, camped outside the south-end store from 10 p.m. Saturday to ensure she got to meet the Great One.
"It's on my bucket list," said Skilton who plays, coaches and referees hockey. "It's absolutely a dream for me."
First in line was Sonia Zanetta and her 9-year-old son Thomas of Gilford.
Zanetta was stationed at the store since 7 a.m. Saturday.
"I'm here for my son. I want to win the best mom award by getting my son to see Wayne Gretzky and getting an autograph."
"He's the greatest hockey player," Thomas said, a young player himself. "He's one of my idols."
Gretzky will be appearing at only three locations in Canada: Indigo Bay and Bloor in Toronto, Chapters Barrie and Chapters West Edmonton Mall.
"Chapters Barrie is the perfect location for Mr. Gretzky to visit with fans as we know Barrie is a city of hockey lovers," said Indigo spokesperson Kate Gregory. "In 2014 Chapters Barrie hosted Bobby Orr, where we had hundreds of fans meet the hockey legend. We know that fans will be equally as excited to meet Mr. Gretzky today."
The lineup of hundreds of fans, young and old, snaked right around the Chapters store on Barrie View Drive.
In addition to an early morning start for many, at one point there was a torrential downpour soaking loyal fans who came from all over to meet the man considered by many to be the greatest hockey player ever.
Memorabilia collector Janis Corriveau arrived at 12:30 a.m. Sunday from Pembroke.
"Even if you're not a fan you have to come to something like this," said the senior, referring to the fact it's not every day you get a chance to meet hockey royalty.
Joe Nicholls of Barrie waited in line for his wristband from 10 p.m. Saturday night.
"I'll just say hi, pleasure to meet you," said Nicholls. "He's at the top. He's done a lot for the game of hockey. No doubt about that."
"It's awesome," said Bruni after getting a handshake from the Great One. "He's my idol and he's a class act. I think everybody realizes that. He's definitely the real deal."
