[blueandwhite]

I'm curious, the more we talk. Like, maybe it's been mentioned, but I'm wondering, Gotham Dark Knight, how come Columbus when you're in Florida? How come the Islanders, Pundit?
How come Toronto for me?
I grew up just outside of Toronto, and in Ontario, maybe even Canada, the biggest team in sports is the Maple Leafs. It's hard to see past them. When I was a kid, my Dad wore Lanny's shirt every Saturday night until it was unwearable. My brother became so dismayed with the Leafs inability to win the cup, he switched to the Habs. So I liked the Habs for a while - Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Serge Savard, Cournoyer. They were unbeatable, and likeable.
I remember liking the Islanders, because of Denis Potvin and Trottier. I liked Gil Perreault and the old Sabres jersey (honest, bring it back, please).
But I came back to the Leafs. I lived there for fifteen years after university, downtown Toronto, and I can be nothing but a blue and white fan. It's a no-brainer, like being Canadian.
Why do I like them now? I really like Sundin. His presence, his talent, his leadership, his dignity. We've had some amazing goalies in Cujo and Belfour. I like the young guys this year, and I love T----r (I won't get into that again). I miss Yushkevich, Yanic Perreault, Modin, Stevie Sullivan and yes, Curtis Joseph. I always liked Quinn. I like quiet determination.
I hate the Senators.
I love hockey.
Okay, tell me your whys.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

I'm curious, the more we talk. Like, maybe it's been mentioned, but I'm wondering, Gotham Dark Knight, how come Columbus when you're in Florida? How come the Islanders, Pundit?
How come Toronto for me?
I grew up just outside of Toronto, and in Ontario, maybe even Canada, the biggest team in sports is the Maple Leafs. It's hard to see past them. When I was a kid, my Dad wore Lanny's shirt every Saturday night until it was unwearable. My brother became so dismayed with the Leafs inability to win the cup, he switched to the Habs. So I liked the Habs for a while - Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Serge Savard, Cournoyer. They were unbeatable, and likeable.
I remember liking the Islanders, because of Denis Potvin and Trottier. I liked Gil Perreault and the old Sabres jersey (honest, bring it back, please).
But I came back to the Leafs. I lived there for fifteen years after university, downtown Toronto, and I can be nothing but a blue and white fan. It's a no-brainer, like being Canadian.
Why do I like them now? I really like Sundin. His presence, his talent, his leadership, his dignity. We've had some amazing goalies in Cujo and Belfour. I like the young guys this year, and I love T----r (I won't get into that again). I miss Yushkevich, Yanic Perreault, Modin, Stevie Sullivan and yes, Curtis Joseph. I always liked Quinn. I like quiet determination.
I hate the Senators.
I love hockey.
Okay, tell me your whys.

I got tired of the Boston Bruins...which I followed in my youth...

and I like new things...I like underdogs...I like to pick a team, when its just not a plain cool thing to do...Nashville was winning, and the Sabertooth is cool...so what did that leave?...the Wilds, the Hurricanes...Columbus?

Any hey, those Blue Jackets were calling me...and I had a shinny brand new Zherdev rookie hockey card serialized to only 99...I mean come on...I had to go cheer for them... how could I not?...I love expansion teams...in the 70's I cheered on the Blue Jays...can even tell you the no-names on their squads...

When it becomes a totally cool thing to root for Columbus, I will go find me a new team...

PS Gil Perreault and the old Sabres jersey is way cool...I definitely have his Topps 1970-71 Rookie Card...the French Connection Line right?

[blueandwhite]

wow yeah, and here I thought I'd hear it for liking a tacky sweater. I did, i loved them.
hey blue jays - I like you even more.
i think you might find you've grown attached to the Blue jackets though. maybe?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

wow yeah, and here I thought I'd hear it for liking a tacky sweater. I did, i loved them.
hey blue jays - I like you even more.
i think you might find you've grown attached to the Blue jackets though. maybe?

Of course I have grown attached to my boys...I am not heartless, just like underdog expansion teams...every goal is an event...every win is cool...

BTW, Blue Jays, first team...included Bob Bailor at shortstop he hit .310 that year...and Doug Ault was at first base...both were picked onto the Topps Rookie All-Star Team for 1977...as was Jerry Garvin who went 10-18...that year...

Just cause I move on, doesn't mean I forget my boys now...come on!...I have fantastic recall...

[blueandwhite]

I was mad for Bob Bailor. Went to games got his autograph, all that.

[ThePundit]

I live on Long Island. The Islanders came into existence in 1972. I was 8 years old. My dad took me to my first game that year. I immediately became a fan and have been addicted ever since.

A lot of people out here older than me are Ranger fans because before '72 that's all you could be if you liked NY hockey.

[blueandwhite]

I like the Islander shirts. Always liked the orange on the ice, and I like the logo.
Guess it's hard to compete with an original 6 team, but I only know the islanders as great....this season aside. a great legacy.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

I was mad for Bob Bailor. Went to games got his autograph, all that.

Bob Bailor was way cool...Here is his rookie card with the cool little Rookie Trophy at the bottom...Killed his career diving for a line drive in Spring Training as a Dodger I believe...you had good taste.

[Lefty Noob]

Nothing special - my friends just got me hooked on the Pens when I was in high school.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

the mighty Denis Potvin and Gil Perreault...to conclude the Memory Lane Tour...

[blueandwhite]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Nothing special - my friends just got me hooked on the Pens when I was in high school.

Favourite player?

[ThePundit]

I don't know if anyone remembers but in the late 90's, the boneheads who bought the team changed the logo to a fisherman with a hockey stick. That made a lot of sense. Take a logo of one of the great dynasty's in the history of sports and change it to a fisherman that looked exactly like Gorton's Fisherman.

Islander fans were in an uproar over that one. It was like pouring gasoline on us and handing the Ranger fans a match. The "WE WANT FISHSTICKS" chants were just humiliating. Here's the logo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:I...erman.jpg#file

[Lefty Noob]

Favorite players were Lemieux and Jagr (of course), but also Ronnie Francis and Ulf Samuelsson.

[ThePundit]

My favorite player was John Tonelli. He was probably the hardest worker the Islanders have ever had. If the puck was in the corner, Tonelli always came out with it. He also had some huge goals. During their Cup run, in game 7 against the Pens, the Islanders were down a goal. Tonelli scored to tie the game in reg and then won it with a goal in O/T. If he doesn't do that, the Isles don't win that 3rd cup.

I always felt that he never got enough credit. His #27 should be retired with Gillies, Nystrom, Potvin, Trottier, Smith and Bossy.

[blueandwhite]

I remember Tonelli - I loved nystrom. And good God that logo is awful.