17 pictures that we took today on Oryme Avenue

Ron Francis dropped by St. Pius X School on Oryme Avenue today.

Considered one of the top five hockey players in the history of the game, Francis accepted some nifty t-shirts for his kids, autographed a huge whack of stuff and fielded some tough questions from students of the school from which he graduated many years ago.

And for the record, we learned today that Ronnie's favourite colour is purple.

Francis arrived back in town yesterday for Ron Francis Day.

They retired his favorite number, 10, from the Carolina Hurricanes on January 28.

Tonight they'll be retiring it at Memorial Gardens.

And today, they retired number 10 at St. Pius X School.

Francis also popped over to Lake Superior State University this afternoon, where he was presented with an honorary degree.

And tomorrow he'll visit the Sault Pee Wee Association so they can retire number 10 as well.

"It's been a busy couple of days," the Hockey Hall-of-Famer told SooToday.com.

Francis also told students at St. Pius X that the thing he likes best about retirement is spending more time with his kids.

Maybe next week things will slow down enough for him to do that.

Francis' parents and brother still live in the Sault and he said he, his wife and three children make it up to the Sault at least once a year.

"We'll be back here again before long," he said.

Meanwhile, Francis said he intends to take advantage of the time he can spend with his kids coaching them.

His tips for the kids at St. Pius X included advice to do their schoolwork, work hard at what ever they choose to do and have fun with it.

"Make sure you have fun with whatever you do," he told them. "It's the most important thing."