hockey123
03-05-2010, 09:07 AM
Caputi gets call from hero
Posted By MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI AGENCY
Posted 4 hours ago
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Luca Caputi could not have received a better welcome to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Having finished his first morning skate in blue-and-white, Caputi, 21, was peeling off his equipment in the Toronto dressing room Thursday afternoon when he was handed a phone.
Upon hearing the voice on the other end, Caputi's jaw almost hit the floor in astonishment.
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The caller was none other than Kingston Frontenac coach Doug Gilmour, the former Leafs great who was Caputi's idol growing up. In fact, to this day, a Gilmour poster and an autographed Gilmour photo still are on the wall over Caputi's bed at the family home in Maple, Ont. The call had Caputi shaking his head in disbelief.
"That was awesome. Amazing. Unbelievable. I don't know what to say," said Caputi, who was acquired along with defenceman Martin Skoula for Alexei Ponikarovsky Tuesday night. Skoula was later flipped to the New Jersey Devils for a draft pick.
What did Gilmour tell the young rookie?
"He said I should tune out all the outside influences and distractions and just concentrate on playing hockey," Caputi said, grinning. "He said if I do that, there is no better place in the world to play hockey than Toronto.
"I still can't believe I just talked to Doug Gilmour."
With Gilmour's No. 93 clearly unavailable, Caputi was given No. 33, last worn by Bates Battaglia.
Posted By MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI AGENCY
Posted 4 hours ago
<table style=""> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 521px;">
</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Luca Caputi could not have received a better welcome to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Having finished his first morning skate in blue-and-white, Caputi, 21, was peeling off his equipment in the Toronto dressing room Thursday afternoon when he was handed a phone.
Upon hearing the voice on the other end, Caputi's jaw almost hit the floor in astonishment.
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The caller was none other than Kingston Frontenac coach Doug Gilmour, the former Leafs great who was Caputi's idol growing up. In fact, to this day, a Gilmour poster and an autographed Gilmour photo still are on the wall over Caputi's bed at the family home in Maple, Ont. The call had Caputi shaking his head in disbelief.
"That was awesome. Amazing. Unbelievable. I don't know what to say," said Caputi, who was acquired along with defenceman Martin Skoula for Alexei Ponikarovsky Tuesday night. Skoula was later flipped to the New Jersey Devils for a draft pick.
What did Gilmour tell the young rookie?
"He said I should tune out all the outside influences and distractions and just concentrate on playing hockey," Caputi said, grinning. "He said if I do that, there is no better place in the world to play hockey than Toronto.
"I still can't believe I just talked to Doug Gilmour."
With Gilmour's No. 93 clearly unavailable, Caputi was given No. 33, last worn by Bates Battaglia.