"We're thankful," Lindros said. "Whether it's American Thanksgiving or Canadian Thanksgiving, anytime you have those special days, it's a great time to reflect and be thankful. We certainly are."
They are for many reasons, including their friendship, which was born in the cold North York rink more than 30 years ago.
Graves said he immediately gravitated toward Lindros because of his talent and his demeanor.
"I just remember knowing he was a special player, but certainly he was just a good kid," Graves said. "We're both older now, so I can't look at him like he's a kid. No one can look at him like he's a kid. He's so big you look up to him. But I liked him as a kid."
Lindros has fond memories of the Seneca College Hockey School and of Graves serving as an instructor.
"Adam is a terrific teacher," Lindros said. "He has so much time and passion and compassion for learning. He's a great person to learn from. Great guy."
Graves respected Lindros so much that when he was young player for the Detroit Red Wings early in the 1989-90 season, he'd occasionally go watch Lindros playing Junior A hockey for Detroit Compuware.
"I didn't know that he came to watch," Lindros said, flattered to hear the news.
Lindros played 14 games for Compuware. He had 52 points.
"It was out of respect," said Graves, who was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 2, 1989. "I was always a fan of the way he played."
Graves and Lindros eventually played together for Canada in the 1993 IIHF World Championship and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. But they were most known for playing against each other in the heated Rangers-Flyers rivalry in the 1990s.