As soon as I walked into the hallway of the Windsor Hotel and saw the sign commemorating the foundation of the National Hockey League right there in one of the hotel’s restaurants, I knew it was going to be a great evening.

The All-Star Event was a charity fundraiser for the Vladislav Tretiak and Max Pacioretty Foundations.  The event took place last Friday February 3rd, and Classic Auctions was there.

The evening helped raise a total of more than $100,000.  The event allowed more than 500 guests to meet numerous hockey legends and active players including Vladislav Tretiak, Max Pacioretty, Alex Ovechkin, P.K. Subban, Lars Eller, and Peter Budaj, among others.  All were real gentlemen and true pros.

I have never met Mick Jagger or any other rock star, but I can now say that I've met Alex Ovechkin.  Does that count? I was backstage when Ovechkin arrived at the event and it really felt like a rock star's entrance.  I honestly don’t know how a player like that would be able to play for the Montreal Canadiens.  The Habs might not have a large enough security budget!

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Alex Ovechkin is an intense player.  Who would disagree with that?

If you haven’t really taken the time to watch a Washington Capitals game, then you may only know Alex Ovechkin as that guy who scores a ton of goals.  But seriously, I don’t think that I have ever seen a player with such a presence on the ice.  With those bright yellow laces on his skates, Ovechkin just seems to be flying out there!  Watching him fall to his knees but then get back up with the puck still cradled on his stick before firing off a wrist shot at lightning speed is just amazing.  I’m pretty sure that his backhand is harder than my slap shot.

What I find incredible about Alex is his passion for the game, his intensity.  And these days, intensity in hockey often manifests itself in the form of body checks.  The NHL’s first overall pick in the 2004 draft is not known for backing...