The young boy walked up to the table at the Chase Bank at 10391 Big Bend Road in Riverview carrying a Tampa Bay Lightning bobble-head toy. Dave Andreychuk smiled and looked at him for a moment. “How long have you had this?” he asked the boy.
Probably his whole life.
Andreychuck was the captain of the 2003 Stanley Cup-winning Lightning and fans lined up to meet him, many bringing souvenirs for his autograph. Andreychuk signed the young man’s bobble-head box and also signed a hockey puck for him. He greeted each person in line, sharing a few words and often posing for photos, then signing cards and pucks, placed in eager hands.
On August 27, the same day Andreychuk was signing autographs in Riverview, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper met fans at another Chase location on Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.
“Our partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning is great for our customers, Bolt fans and the community,” said Maribel Ferrer of Chase. “We always look forward to hosting team members at our branches and letting them know directly that we are true fans and can’t wait for the new season.”
Chase became the Lightning’s official bank, credit card, financial services partner, ATM provider and community partner on March 14. Chase bank locations are also offering tickets to the Lightning’s 2013-14 season opener against the Florida Panthers on October 10 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. For more information, visit www.chase.com.