Brooks Laich changes stranded mother/daughters tire

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Another reason why hockey players are by far the greatest of all athletes.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsb..._a_tire_af.html

Mary Ann Wangemann and her 14-year old daughter Lorraine were already in a fairly poor mood Wednesday night. The Caps -- the first sports team they had ever rooted for together, the team that prompted 49-year old Mary Ann to begin painting her face before games and to sign up for a season-ticket waitlist -- had been eliminated in Game 7. The season was over.

A lot of people weren't sure quite how to react to this loss. When you put a lot of emotion into something -- even something as silly as a sports team -- and you can feel sort of empty when it goes away. One fan e-mailed me to ask, quite seriously, whether I though any Caps threw the series for gambling reasons. Another, who said he's rooted for the Caps for 28 years, sent me an e-mail that included 49 exclamation marks.

So the Wangemanns were driving home to Ashburn, and they got on the Roosevelt Bridge, trying to remain optimistic about the future of the team. Then they hit a pot hole and got a flat tire. Perfect ending to the night.

So Mary Ann pulled over to the side of the bridge, and called Triple A. They said they had a heavy volume of calls, and that they weren't sure how long it would take to send help. Mary Ann and Lorraine, still wearing their Caps gear, got out of the car and watched the traffic whiz by.

"We were getting a little spooked," she told me. "You feel pretty vulnerable right there."

Finally, an SUV slowed down ahead of them and pulled over. And then Brooks Laich got out and asked if he could help.

Since the Triple A folks were already on the way, Mary Ann asked Brooks -- whom she immediately recognized -- if he'd just wait with them by the side of the road. Instead, he asked whether they had a spare. Mary Ann said they did. So he took off his jacket -- he was still wearing his post-game suit -- got out the tire, and started jacking up the car.

"He was like an angel, I'm telling you," Mary Ann told me. "Can't say enough nice things about him."

(The Caps had nothing to do with sending out this story, but they did get in touch with Laich to confirm it for me.)

The thing took a while, as late-night tire changes on the side of bridges often do. So they started talking hockey. Laich, who scored the team's only goal in game 7, apologized to them for the Caps losing. They told him how great the season had been and how much they liked this team. Laich said he hoped they got a chance to stay together.

The jack fell down, and he had to start again. Lorraine stood behind him, mouthing to her mom over and over, "It's Brooks Laich! It's Brooks Laich!" Laich was friendly but somber as he worked. Mary Ann -- who had never before cared about a sports team -- talked about why she liked this group so much, and how they seemed so nice off the ice.

"We're just people, too," Laich said.

The whole thing lasted maybe 40 minutes. Laich got the tire changed, and cautioned Mary Ann to drive slowly on the way home, to listen closely for any rattling sounds. She agreed, and said she didn't know how she could possibly thank him.

"I'm sure you'll do something nice for someone in the future," Laich responded. He hugged them and drove off.

By this point, another car had pulled over, also with a flat tire. Mary Ann went to see how she could help, and told the other driver what had just happened. Then she and her daughter got in their car and drove home. Within 30 seconds, of course, Lorraine had updated her Facebook page to alert the world that Brooks Laich had just changed their tire. That loss sure stung, but Mary Ann and her daughter figure they'll keep their spot on the waitlist for next season.

"When you think about what he was going through yesterday, just the disappointment..." Mary Ann said. "Given everything else going on in his life, I just thought it was really remarkable. I want people to know it."

[chippa13 1844]

Another great story to add to the pile. Good guys.

[dayroc 0]

That's awesome!

I wish more people did that, let alone professional sport players.

[westcoastsniper 0]

What a beaut! good ol' manitoba boy, that's what I'm talkin' about gotta love 'em!

[tro 4]

Isn't he from Sask?

[Chadd 916]

Isn't he from Sask?

NHLPA says Medicine Hat.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Don Cherry will be telling this story on the next HNIC! Guaranteed.

[camhockey16 5]

well laich has nothing but time on his hands anyway - so why not change a tire?

im just kidding though - it is pretty amazing given that he probably wasnt in a very good mood and still decided to help them anyway. hockey players do seem to be the most down to earth compared to any other sport - i think its just because of how hard they have to work to get there, they dont take it for granted.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

i think its just because of how hard they have to work to get there, they dont take it for granted.

And other athletes don't?

[camhockey16 5]

other athletes have to work hard - but i dont think they have to go through quite as much. i mean some basketball players go to the nba straight from high school - the majority of nhl players played in juniors for years before making it. but i'm not telling you anything you dont already know - why do you think nhl players are more grounded or down to earth than other athletes - or do you even think that?

[n3ss 0]

i've met a few pros and they've all be pretty regular dudes.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

So, you're going to compare SOME to a MAJORITY?

Look at NHLers who made it to the Show at 18, does that mean they didn't go through as much?

Hell, I think the down-to-earth NHLer is starting to wane; kids are a bit more cocky nowadays coming up.

I'm not disputing your thought, just the way you've arrived to it. I think it's a socioeconomic thing. More small town players than other sports.

[hockeyfreak7 0]

^Kids coming into the NHL are most definitely less humble than in years past. Pat Kane is a good example of the new, young breed of phenoms. But guys like that are still far, far...FAR more down to earth than NFL stars...and the ever arrogant NBA studs. Hockey players are still easily the most humble of all the major sports athletes, and I dont see that changing.

[skyscrape 5]

That is a great story!

[Jason Harris 31]

hockey players do seem to be the most down to earth compared to any other sport - i think its just because of how hard they have to work to get there, they dont take it for granted.

I've always half-kidded it's because they have the lowest percentage of Americans....

[farhanshak 1]

Atta Boy Laich

Character defined.

[starsfan71 9]

other athletes have to work hard - but i dont think they have to go through quite as much. i mean some basketball players go to the nba straight from high school - the majority of nhl players played in juniors for years before making it. but i'm not telling you anything you dont already know - why do you think nhl players are more grounded or down to earth than other athletes - or do you even think that?

You have to go to the NCAA to play in the NBA just like football.

[Drewhunz 3]

You have to go to the NCAA to play in the NBA just like football.

Shhhhhh. Don't tell LeBron.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

You have to go to the NCAA to play in the NBA just like football.

NHL and MLB being the sports you don't have to.

[team50 20]

Shhhhhh. Don't tell LeBron.

or Kobe or Garnett....

[mack 44]

You have to go to the NCAA to play in the NBA just like football.

I don't think you have to go to college to play in the NFL. You just have to go somewhere for three years after graduating, tho playing college football obviously helps. </Eric Swann>

[adam14 182]

well laich has nothing but time on his hands anyway - so why not change a tire?

im just kidding though - it is pretty amazing given that he probably wasnt in a very good mood and still decided to help them anyway. hockey players do seem to be the most down to earth compared to any other sport - i think its just because of how hard they have to work to get there, they dont take it for granted.

I think part of their being so down to earth is the fact that the majority earn much less than Basketball football or baseball players, so they have less reason to be so cocky.

Why be arrogant when you're making 5 million a season when there are guys making 25?

[IniNew 53]

I think part of their being so down to earth is the fact that the majority earn much less than Basketball football or baseball players, so they have less reason to be so cocky.

Why be arrogant when you're making 5 million a season when there are guys making 25?

I sure hope you are being sarcastic....

someone has already answered the question. More of the players in the league are from small towns. That, and the NHL doesn't get the sort of exposure that the other sports do, at least in America. You never hear about Perron's twitter account unless you're on this website.

[ponty 0]

Yea most NHL player I have run into are just a good bunch of guys.

I have been fortunate enough to get to know Al Pedersen who use to play with the Bruins in the 80's and 90's and he is the most down to earth and easy guy to talk too.

Great story indeed.

[sitzlejd 0]

I agree with JR, it's a socioeconomic thing.

Nice work by Laich. Joe Torre did the same thing, of course his team won so...