King defenseman Rob Blake, a starter Sunday,...

King defenseman Rob Blake, a starter Sunday, watched as former teammate Gretzky was honored as a part of the pregame ceremonies.

He was moved.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Blake said. “He’s the greatest player there ever was.”

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Perhaps the best reminder that Toronto is hockey country came from a guy on Bay Street, down the block from the Air Canada Centre, offering to sell a $275 ticket to Sunday’s All-Star Game for only $600.

A cheaper seat ($160 face) could be had for $350.

“I went to Tampa last year and got in for $10,” he said.

Seats for Saturday’s SuperSkills competition were being scalped for $200.

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Rookie Scott Gomez of New Jersey looked around the interview room on Saturday and said he was in hockey heaven. “There’s Jesus,” he said, pointing at Mark Messier of the Vancouver Canucks.

On Sunday, Gomez played on a line with Messier.

“It was great,” he said. “He’s the man.” Veterans took Gomez aside and told him to enjoy himself.

“He’s a good kid with good character,” said Messier, who like others autographed Gomez’s helmet and some sticks. “I remember my first game, 20 years ago, with my parents, like him.”

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Phoenix’s Jeremy Roenick played on a North American line with Dallas’ Mike Modano and former high school teammate Tony Amonte of Chicago for the first time since Roenick opened Amonte’s face like an overripe watermelon early in the season at Chicago.

The two have patched things up, said Amonte, adding that he got an apology. Roenick got a suspension for his actions.