The legendary Gordie Howe was the center of attention at TJ's on Thursday

On Tuesday afternoon some of the all-time greats from the hockey world converged on TJ's in Alpharetta. They were there to launch the Alumni Wine Series but but the hundreds of fans that came through the doors just wanted to see their heroes from the days of their youth. Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito, Rob Ray, Bobby Clarke, Dave Schultz, Clark Gillies, Frank Mahovlich, Johnny Bower, Pat Quinn, Scott Mellanby, Willi Plett, Eric Vail and host and former Atlanta Flames captain Tim Ecclestone.

The chatter in the bar and outside was the same no matter who was talking.

"Can you believe his many people are here?"

"Wow. What a turnout. And for a hockey event on a weekday afternoon."

Despite the event being advertised as a "no autograph" occasion the legends of hockey obliged the fans. Some signed for a few minutes while others, like Bobby "The Golden Jet" Hull signed shirts, pucks, jerseys and anything else put in front of him for more than three hours.

While being interviewed on 680 The Fan 79 year-old Gordie Howe recounted how his wife used to tell his sons that if someone eve wanted their autograph they ought to take the time to sign it legibly. Many of the aging stars of the past took that sentiment to heart, even though they are long past the point where they owe the fans anything. If anything the fans in attendance are indebted to the elder statesmen of the game like Howe, Esposito and Lindsey and the more recent local alumni like Ecclestone, Vail and Plett who worked hard to build and the sell the game long before it was what it is now. Without ambassadors for the game like them there wouldn't be hockey in Atlanta today.

The gratitude of the fans was obvious, whether it was when Clark Gillies mingled at the bar, Scott Mellanby chatted with Thrashers and Flyers fans or when Tony Esposito gave goaltending advice to a six year old, passing the torch to a new generation of fans who might not fully grasp what they were a part of.

Bobby Hull signs autographs for fans.

One fan shows off his signed jersey to his friends, one of whom won an autographed legends jersey.