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Saturday, December 18, 1999
Quiet hero
Braithwaite goes about his business as he's thrust into the spotlight
Considering the fact he's being credited with single-handedly turning the Flames fortunes around, you'd figure Fred Brathwaite would have the run of the place.
Free drinks at Diablos, gratis Gap khakis or, at the very least, a complementary hero sub at Badass Jack's.
After all, he is the toast of the town.
However, the man largely responsible for breathing life back into a hockey team the city had all but written off, insists he hasn't been privy to an increased amount of hushed giggles, incessant staring or autograph requests that generally accompany athletes upgraded to saviour status.
"Oh god no," laughs Freddie, when asked if he's hounded everywhere he goes.
"I'm not a Theo or a Gretzky. I'm just another guy the odd person recognizes. It's not like everybody's pointing their finger and saying 'there's Fred.' Sure, it feels good to get recognized but more people recognize Grant (Fuhr) than me."
As for the gratuitous grouper at the local Seafood Shack, he insists he hasn't been so spoiled.
"No, not yet," laughed Brathwaite, "we're waiting.
"No, seriously, it hasn't happened and I don't really expect it to happen. I just want to be treated like everybody else."
Sorry Freddie, but everybody else doesn't have their first name ringing through the Saddledome in the form of a chant initiated by one of the quietest crowds in the NHL.
Posting four wins in his last six starts -- a stretch that earned the club at least a point in every outing -- Brathwaite has stolen the spotlight from friend and roommate Fuhr and become the fan favourite.
His dazzling .919 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average puts him amongst league leaders, none of whom have stopped 49 shots in one evening like he did Tuesday.
"My life hasn't really changed," said Brathwaite, 27, who admits he's flattered by the responses he's garnered from fans ever since he became an overnight sensation after joining the Flames last January.
"It seems like the fans are kind of on my side and on our team's side now. I think they're just happy we're winning right now and I guess it's easier to point the finger at one person than the whole team."
The humble Ottawa native is quick to heap praise on his teammates who undoubtedly deserve credit for their play in front of him.
"Obviously it feels good that they enjoy watching me play or whatever but it's not just me, everybody's been playing well lately," offered Brathwaite who has the city talking about Flames hockey again.
Perhaps part of the reason Brathwaite isn't always swarmed by fans is that occasionally they mistaken his older brother Rod for him.
"Due to the resemblance, I guess everyone assumes they're talking to Freddie, but then once they realize they're not, they just scoot away," laughed Rod, 33, in town from Vancouver for one of his biannual visits.
"I don't think there's more (fan interest) than there was before. Even last year or when he was in Edmonton or Manitoba, I think that just due to his personality and the way he is he's just one of those people everyone sees as approachable. Time will tell if they'll keep it up."
Rod figures his sibling will continue to enjoy the moderate fan attention he gets in restaurants and other places until it interferes with his diet.
"As long as he's got time to eat whatever he's eating I'm sure he'll be happy," laughed Rod.
"You know, he likes his food. He loves Badass Jack's.
"We'll see how much weight he holds if people start going there after a plug like that."
Perhaps then, a free sub would be in order.
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