Brantford Expositor
Opinion Editorial
There might not be many people out there who appreciate director Kevin Smith’s affection for Walter Gretzky, but we here in Brantford understand.
What others may not get is how or why the New Jersey native, who directed Clerks, Mallrats and Jersey Girl, grew to appreciate Wayne Gretzky’s dad so much.
They might also have trouble comprehending why a Hollywood director would come to compete in an annual street hockey tournament in Brantford.
We think it’s the type of attention Wally has long deserved and is finally getting.
Sure, attracting a celebrity like Smith doesn’t compare to getting the Order of Canada, which Gretzky received last year, but Gretzky is all about lending his name and presence to good causes for the city and his annual street hockey tournament is no exception.
The tournament, which runs from Friday to Sunday, helps fund parks and recreation projects in the city.
Smith’s presence, along with a few other actors he’s bringing with him, will help draw more attention and stir up more excitement for the tournament at Lions Park.
The American has been promoting the tournament in media such as the New York Times and Time magazine. He’ll also be performing his live show, Stocky Night in Canada, at the Sanderson Centre. Eight hundred tickets have been sold for the Saturday show.
It’s always gratifying for us as Canadians when we hear of an American who embraces our culture (i. e. hockey) and our national icons (Wayne and Walter Gretzky).
We all understand hero worship for athletes since it’s so prevalant in society, but an appreciation for an ex-athlete’s father? From another country? That’s far more rare and gives enhanced meaning to Smith’s reasons for taking part, even if we can’t quite fathom the connection.
Never mind that Kevin Smith is not exactly a household name.
Pat Shewchuk, co-ordinator of the Tournament Capital of Ontario, admitted to The Expositor that she did not realize the extent of Smith’s celebrity when he first contacted her about participating.
Gretzky himself was even more succinct when first told of Smith’s interest: “Do I know a Kevin Smith? What’s he do?”
However, there will soon be no excuse for not knowing Smith.
Actually, this is not Smith’s only connection to the Brantford area.
Smith is a big fan of the original Degrassi series and has appeared on Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Degrassi, of course, was created by Linda Schuyler, who grew up in Paris.
So Smith’s participation in a Brantford signature event seems like a natural progression. The director had just finished reading Walter’s autobiography before he contacted Shewchuk about participating in the tournament.
One mystery about Smith’s participation remains: Why would anyone volunteer to play goalie in street hockey, as Smith has pledged to do in the tournament?
Street hockey goalie is a position you usually talk or threaten your little brother or sister into playing.
Perhaps Smith learned a lesson or two from Walter Gretzky about being there when someone else needs your help.
