Hockey: First Impressions a Second Time
In September, my first NHL season began. I live in central Illinois, so Chicago and St. Louis games are broadcast locally. I live in a pocket of huge St. Louis fans. My brothers are both St. Louis fans, but my dad has always been a Chicago guy. Since I watched those teams the most, I narrowed it down to those two teams.
More and more though, Chicago impressed me. I started learning the players, their roles, their personalities. I loved everything about the Blackhawks. They spoke to me, they drew me in. They were my team.
It wasn’t until about halfway through the season that I decided that I actually hated the St. Louis Blues. Sure there might be a few players that I liked, but there were more that I hated and didn’t respect in the least. (Strong words for a once sportsmanlike fan.)
And it was somewhere in here that I learned of the bitter rivalry between the Blackhawks and Canucks. My Blackhawks and I shared a major bonding moment over this.
It was also sometime in here that I admitted to my hockey friend from school that I was not a Red Wings fan. I, in fact, supported their biggest rival. She seemed very accepting of that, and we are both happy about the type of rivalry between the two Original Six teams - very respectable, play-our-best type of rivalry. No cheap shots, no cheating. Good solid hockey games. However, I am in the process of seducing her to the good side of the Lake Michigan. Just a little more time, one more season...
Colorado and Edmonton are teams that I still have a soft spot for. Not when they’re playing my guys, no way. But I think if the Blackhawks weren’t around, I would have sided with one of those teams.
My first full season in the NHL brought my love of the game to a new level. I learned how involved the players are with the fans and the charities. So many of them have great, down to earth personalities. After one season of learning players names, who stands out, who everyone loves, who everyone hates, the rivalries, the respect factors… it has all added more character to the greatest sport ever.
And the Blackhawks have the greatest guys ever. That’s one of the huge reasons that I chose them - or they drew me to them. Learning the stories of guys like Hossa, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, and watching the new guys come in, seeing how they all interact, support, tease, and encourage each other is fun to watch.
I have tried so hard to pick a favorite player, because everyone has a favorite player, right? I keep going back and forth because I love these guys so much. But I think right now, after the year that they just had, I will have to say Jonathan Toews is my favorite. I always liked him because he was a great player and a great leader, but nothing proved that more that weathering through the nine game losing streak. When I as a fan started getting frustrated and depressed, I can only imagine how the team felt. But every interview with Toews was encouraging. What kind of man was this that not only led his team through tough times, but the fans as well? An amazing one.
So Toews is my favorite for what he does on the ice and in the locker room and in front of the fans, for me.
That’s not to say that I don’t absolutely love Patrick Kane, the kid who plays the game with such enthusiasm and skill and has already established his place in NHL history. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, and I love it. I watched him “struggle” this year. I wasn’t around any other year to know that he was apparently so much better. The fact that he is better than what I saw last year astounds me, and I just want this season to start already! Any time that Kane is not on the ice is a waste. He puts on a show and does it for the fans. He loves us and we love him. Plus, his smile…
It’s frustrating when I hear people say that I am not a true hockey fan, or that I am not a die-hard Blackhawks fan because I don’t meet their unwritten standards fabricated to include only themselves and others like them as true hockey fans.
I am relatively new to the game. I am new to the Blackhawks. I am still learning. My loyalty to the team will probably be put to the test many different times in the future, but as long as they keep their integrity and determination, their commitment to the sport and to the fans, I can’t see myself leaving the Blackhawks.
I am passionate about hockey. I am committed to the game. I am a true hockey fan.
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