Community Corner

Fans Flock to Meet Blackhawks' Andrew Shaw in Lemont

A Goodwill store in Lemont was jam-packed Sunday with south suburban Blackhawks fan lining up for an autograph from center Andrew Shaw.

If you must be crammed into the aisles of a store with hundreds of other people for six hours, it helps to have something in common.

For the 400 who filed into Goodwill, 1146 State St. in Lemont Sunday, it was their love of Blackhawks center Andy Shaw. Shaw gave fans a lasting image from the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, his face bloodied and bruised after taking a puck to the cheek. Those who braved an hours-long line Sunday got a quick meet and greet with the Shawzer, along with his signature on a symbol of their fandom. 

They came bearing posters, pucks, photos and jerseys—all memorabilia collected in honor of their favorite.  Marist student and Lemont resident Stephanie Krohn, 16, offered up her Blackhawks-themed electric guitar, a prize from St. Al/St. Pat's recent fundraising gala. Alex Urbanski, 15, roused from just a few hours of sleep after a volunteer event the night before, to be one of the first few in line at 9 a.m. She's collected roughly 40 autographs since 2010. 

Orland Park resident Dana Delgado pieced together newspaper clippings and ticket stubs in her visual tribute to Shaw, her favorite because "he's ambitious. He's scrappy."

But few fan tales top that of Steve Williams, a devoted Blackhawks fan in town for the weekend. 

...In town from Nebraska. 

The Omaha resident set out to see three hockey games in three days this weekend, including the Blackhawks game at Solider Field Saturday. He and his wife skipped the third game to make the signing event. Williams wanted to add to a Blackhawks memorabilia collection that covers every inch of his basement walls. 

How does a Nebraskan come to love Blackhawks hockey? 

"We have nothing else," Williams said, laughing.

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