Ken Walker is a big hockey fan.
So like many, the 90-year-old was hoping to get a glimpse and maybe an opportunity to meet Ron MacLean as Rogers Hometown Hockey took over downtown North Bay on October 17th and 18th in front of Discovery Museum.
On Sunday morning of the event he was walking down Oak street to the broadcast location when he ended up tripping on some speaker wires at the site.
The tumble forced the disappointed hockey fan to go to emergency where he received four stitches in his forehead, scraped knees, a bruised hand, two cracked ribs and a black eye.
Despite the injuries, Walker persevered and about two hours later he headed right back downtown after being released from hospital.
And he got his wish.
A paramedic who helped Walker when he first fell, got him connected with some Rogers Hometown Hockey staff in hopes of arranging a meeting with Ron MacLean.
Walker was escorted by Rogers Hometown Hockey staff into the broadcast studio where he met and chatted with the broadcast legend MacLean, who ironically worked with Walker’s daughter Michele, a CBC Researcher at the time, a few years ago.
“We had a fantastic discussion for about 15 or 20 minutes,” said Walker.
“I commend Ron MacLean’s staff for looking after me, they were awesome.”
So the battered and bruised Walker was thrilled to meet the Hometown Hockey host.
But the special story doesn’t end there.
MacLean, wanted to do something more for the 90-year-old hockey fan who still works three days a week at Canadian Tire in North Bay.
Much to his surprise, Walker got a call from Canadian Tire to let him know there was a package waiting for him.
Inside was a brand new Hometown Hockey jacket and a note from Ron MacLean.
“I really appreciate you making an effort to visit our show on October 18th,” MacLean stated in a handwritten letter.
“Sorry for the ‘trip’ making it a bit difficult, but you're obviously ‘hockey tough,’” added MacLean.
Walker wears his new jacket proudly, although the friends he meets for coffee tease him about the fancy jacket, telling him he didn’t need to hurt himself so badly just to meet Ron MacLean and get a fancy jacket.
However, it's a score and a sacrifice Walker doesn't regret.
