Last Wednesday, Joe Pavelski and Adam Burish walked out of the San Jose Sharks locker room at the HP Pavilion after the team had won its sixth straight game. As the two Wisconsin players made their way into the arena seating area, they looked into the stands and saw Team Wisconsin coach Dave Witting.

The players immediately walked over to Witting and shook his hand and chatted warmly with their ex-coach and mentor before talking with and taking pictures with the Team Wisconsin U16 girls squad that was participating in the USA Nationals in San Jose.

The fact that Pavelski and Burish spent a big chunk of their late evening with the coaches and players from TW not only meant a lot to the team, but it showed that the two NHLers remembered where they came from and took a few minutes to acknowledge that.

It was only an hour as measured by the clock, but it was something that most of these girls and their parents will remember for the rest of their lives.

TW team manager Kathi Woodman shared her thoughts:

(Pavelski and Burish) were absolutely terrific with the team, allowing for each of the girls to take individual photos and sign tons of items that the girls brought with them.

Neither one acted the least bit in a hurry and seemed to be more than willing to make sure that everyone who wanted to talk with them, get an autograph, or just shake their hand, got a chance to do so.

One thing that many were very impressed with was the way Pavelski and Burish interacted with Coach Witting. 

"Both men noticed Coach Witting standing in the bleachers and immediately went directly to him to shake his hand and talk with him before addressing the team," said Woodman. "Each had been coached by 'Witts' in their younger years when playing on showcase teams for Wisconsin and both recognized him right away and showed him a great deal of respect.

"I know it meant an awful lot to Coach Witting and several of the other parents commented on how awesome they thought it was that the guys did that with Witts."

After the Team Wisconsin group of sixty people had their opportunity to meet with the two Sharks, Woodman commented, "...that they certainly would have made their mothers proud for being so patient and kind with their time..."

The Team Wisconsin squad also had a gift for the players: a life-size Bucky Badger cardboard standee that the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board had sent along.

No word on which player ended up with the autographed Bucky, but the fact that the TW squad got a chance to meet with Pavelski and Burish was a great addition to their trip.

Joe and Adam: we're all very proud of you for repping Wisconsin the way you do!