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Independence, MO —
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon excused himself from his entourage and security crew for a moment to make an insightful comment.
“The young man who scored the first goal, I believe that was the young man I was visiting with before the game,” said Nixon referring to rookie Andrew Courtney, who scored his first three professional goals Sunday in a 7-0 victory over the Mississippi RiverKings at the Independence Events Center.
“He’s so tall (6-foot-3). I asked him if all his teammates were as tall as he was. He told me no – but he told me how good they all are. He was certainly right.”
Courtney, who said he would gladly leave the governor a pass for all remaining games this season, said he was in a pre-game zone and didn’t actually remember much of the conversation.
“He was really nice, and was asking me some questions, but to be honest with you, I was concentrating on the game,” Courtney said. “But I do remember him telling me I was going to score. Thanks, Gov. Nixon.”
Nixon attended a Mavericks game last season and had so much fun, he said he had to make a return trip.
“His office called us early on and said he would like to come to today’s game,” Mavericks vice president of communications Patrick Armstrong said. “And we were happy to have him come back.
“And I was down, outside the locker room when the governor talked to Andrew, and he did tell him he was going to score. I think that’s pretty cool.”
So was the governor’s appearance.
In today’s age of lunacy, a public official needs protection. Since team captain – and the toughest guy in the building – Carlyle Lewis was taking care of business on the ice, the governor had a security entourage that made sure he and the first lady enjoyed the game without any outside disturbances.
But Nixon was friendly, observant and eager to chat up the team, the Independence Events Center and his state.
“I needed to get my turkey tag, so we stopped by Bass Pro on the way over to the Events Center,” said Nixon, who spoke in casual conversational tones – not sound bites.
“I like this team, especially it’s size – it seems much bigger than last year’s team – and I love this Events Center. I know it was hopping when I came to a game last year, and I am sure it will be hopping today.”
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon excused himself from his entourage and security crew for a moment to make an insightful comment.
“The young man who scored the first goal, I believe that was the young man I was visiting with before the game,” said Nixon referring to rookie Andrew Courtney, who scored his first three professional goals Sunday in a 7-0 victory over the Mississippi RiverKings at the Independence Events Center.
“He’s so tall (6-foot-3). I asked him if all his teammates were as tall as he was. He told me no – but he told me how good they all are. He was certainly right.”
Courtney, who said he would gladly leave the governor a pass for all remaining games this season, said he was in a pre-game zone and didn’t actually remember much of the conversation.
“He was really nice, and was asking me some questions, but to be honest with you, I was concentrating on the game,” Courtney said. “But I do remember him telling me I was going to score. Thanks, Gov. Nixon.”
Nixon attended a Mavericks game last season and had so much fun, he said he had to make a return trip.
“His office called us early on and said he would like to come to today’s game,” Mavericks vice president of communications Patrick Armstrong said. “And we were happy to have him come back.
“And I was down, outside the locker room when the governor talked to Andrew, and he did tell him he was going to score. I think that’s pretty cool.”
So was the governor’s appearance.
In today’s age of lunacy, a public official needs protection. Since team captain – and the toughest guy in the building – Carlyle Lewis was taking care of business on the ice, the governor had a security entourage that made sure he and the first lady enjoyed the game without any outside disturbances.
But Nixon was friendly, observant and eager to chat up the team, the Independence Events Center and his state.
“I needed to get my turkey tag, so we stopped by Bass Pro on the way over to the Events Center,” said Nixon, who spoke in casual conversational tones – not sound bites.
“I like this team, especially it’s size – it seems much bigger than last year’s team – and I love this Events Center. I know it was hopping when I came to a game last year, and I am sure it will be hopping today.”
He said he plans on making a wager with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownbeck if the Mavericks and the Thunder meet in the playoffs, and he was eager to meet Chesterfield, Mo., native and Mavericks forward/defender Derek Pallardy (who didn’t dress for the game because he is on injured reserve).
As Pallardy greeted the governor, a youngster bolted between the Highway Patrol and Secret Service detail to grab Pallardy by the leg.
“You’re my hockey player!” shouted the tyke, 3-year-old Andrew Thiessen, the son of Mavericks president and general manager Brent Thiessen.
Everyone got a laugh out of the moment, with Nixon sporting a grin that lit up the loge area of the Events Center.
“I heard my son nearly got arrested today,” quipped Brent Thiessen, who was not present when Andrew crashed the governor’s security crew. “I’m going to have to teach him to treat our guests with more respect – especially the governor.”
