DeBoer Recalls Meeting Ali As Teenager

SAN JOSE — The death of heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali on Friday was felt at the Stanley Cup Final as the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks prepared for Game 3 at SAP Center on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).

Ali, who was among the most beloved and famous athletes in the world, died in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 74.

Sharks coach Peter DeBoer was among the most impacted.

“We lost a great man,” he said.

DeBoer met the heavyweight champion and considers a signed Quran from Ali among his most prized possessions.

“I wouldn’t normally share this with you, but I think considering the circumstances today (it’s appropriate),” DeBoer said at his pregame press conference. “I got it 30 years ago. I was at my prom at the Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton [Ontario], a 17-year-old kid. I had my tux on, I was in the lobby and Muhammad Ali walked in with his entourage. He was there for some type of appearance and I asked one of the entourage if I could meet him with my friends and he said, ‘Just give me a minute.’

“He came back to me and he said, ‘Muhammad Ali is up in this room.’ He goes, ‘Meet him up in his room in five minutes.’ And me and three or four of my buddies went up to his room, and he got …

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