Gretzky, Howe Share Stories With Harper

For those who are still wondering why exactly Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper prorogued parliament for what appears to be strictly strategic politicking, there is much more on Harper's agenda than planning for elections and budgets and whatnot. He wants to watch the Olympics after all. And on the weekend he had the great opportunity to sit down and ask questions with Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe.

Harper was a special host for a Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner, with Wayne Gretzky as the headline guest. Gordie Howe was a surprise guest. Harper, who early in the week said he'd give up his entire career to have had the chance to play in the NHL, casually interviewed the two legends, hanging on every word of their answers.

The two hockey superstars shared memories and hopes for Canada's 2010 Olympic teams. They also reminisced about the first time the two met, interestingly under very similar circumstances. Howe was the headline guest at Kinsmen dinner back in 1971 when he was introduced to a 10 year old hockey whiz kid - Gretzky.

That meeting was famously immortalized in this photo.

Also of note:

• St. Louis Game Time takes a look at former Blues goalie Ed Staniowski.
• The Toronto Star looks at Gillian Apps great hockey lineage.
• Montreal's tactic of calling up an entire line from the minor leagues is bring back memories of the Razzle Dazzle Line.