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Ovechkin A Superstar Off The Ice As Well
Mar 21 2006 9:43AM
By Al Muir
 So it turns out that Alexander Ovechkin is not only the best rookie on the ice, but the best rookie off it as well.
While Sidney Crosby draws mixed reviews (at best) from autograph collectors, the Washington winger won over a new legion of fans after a recent signing appearance at Frozen Pond in Toronto.
It looked for a while that he might miss the well publicized event, and given his schedule no one would have blamed him if he had. But shortly after his Russian team was defeated in the Olympic bronze medal match, Ovechkin paid a significant sum to acquire a plane ticket that would get him to Toronto on time for the Feb. 27 signing.
 "The kid is first class all the way," says Frozen Pond owner Hersh Borenstein. "It would have been very understandable if he felt the need to cancel the appearance, and I [so I told him I] really appreciated him coming. He shook it off as if there was never really any other option."
Borenstein said the signing set new records for his shop, the preeminent autograph dealership in the hockey world.
"The place was packed. Entire families came by the car load. The lineup extended out the door and down the block. Some people waited in line for three-four hours, but I didn't hear anyone complaining.
 "All the kids and young hockey players wanted to meet him because they are in awe of his skill. All the collectors wanted to meet him because they know the value of his autograph is not going down anytime soon. People came out of the woodwork for this one. Even Bob Boyes, father of [Boston Bruin] Brad Boyes, showed up to meet Ovechkin, and he had never bought an autograph in his life."
Martin Brodeur's appearance last year set a store record with more than 965 signatures sold. Ovechkin's output – 577 mail order and 450 in-person pieces for a total of 1,027 pieces, not including the items that were signed for later sale by Frozen Pond.
"That was one of the best nights I've ever had," Borenstein said. "The kid is a true superstar, in all aspects."
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