TORONTO -- Graham Rahal has never had a teammate like this.
The 23-year-old IndyCar driver met with New Jersey Devils forward David Clarkson on Saturday during the Honda Indy Toronto as the two exchanged autograph jerseys for their charities.
A native of Columbus, Rahal has been hooked on hockey since his teens but it hasn't always been easy being a Blue Jackets fan.
"It's a really sad story, but still it's a good time," Rahal said with a laugh. "I had season tickets for a few years so anytime I get to go home, I go. Now, living in Indianapolis, it's a little harder. Hockey is one of the few sports that captures me."
Clarkson also shares a reverence for Rahal's sport.
"To get to go into a car and go as fast as they do, I don't think there's anyone who would tell you they wouldn't like to do that," Clarkson said.
Clarkson's parents actually attended the very first Toronto Indy race in 1986, which was coincidentally won by Graham's father Bobby Rahal.
Clarkson, who grew up in Etobicoke, Ont., brought his parents to the Honda Indy Toronto and his dad was in awe during a trip to the pits.
"My dad was like a little kid being down there and getting to meet Graham," Clarkson said. "I think he even told him the story about how he was here when his dad had won so I'm excited to be here and to be able to do this charity stuff together."
Both Clarkson's "Clarky's Kids" and Rahal's "Graham Rahal Foundation" seek to help terminally ill children and their families.
After the passing of race owner, actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, Rahal felt compelled to continue his former boss's legacy.
"I really felt when Paul passed away in 2008 that his presence disappeared from the sport and he was a guy that most people knew him for his movie fame but I think he should be known more for all the charitable things he's done," Rahal said. "I felt I wanted to carry that tradition on because he gave me my first opportunity."
Clarkson's efforts began during his days with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and he felt the need to give back to the community that helped support him through his junior hockey years.
"It's something I always wanted to do with the Kitchener Rangers and I'm honoured," Clarkson said. "These kids e-mail me, they text me, you wouldn't believe the e-mails I get from some of them asking for things or wanting to do stuff but it's a special thing to my heart."
Although Clarkson and Rahal are now friends, don't expect the Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing driver to strap on skates and join the Devils just yet.
"How many people here have tried to shoot a puck on ice?" Rahal asked during a press conference. "It is so hard."
But if Rahal could play, Clarkson's netminder Martin Brodeur wouldn't be in any danger of losing his job.
"Definitely not a goalie, I know that," Rahal said. "I'm not big enough to be an enforcer but I think that would be fun -- just to get to hit people, that sounds like a good time to me."
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