AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 13
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Always room for Jell-O and new hockey fans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First of all, let me say, I’m sitting here rooting for the Leafs … and I’ve never felt so dirty.
I used to like the Leafs. They were sort of my secondary team — the tradition, the uniforms, etc … And being a Mets fan in the late-70s, early-80s, I think I related to the whole Toronto-Montreal dynamic of the Leafs living in the shadow of the Habs, much like the Mets did (do) under the Yanks. However, over the past few seasons, I’ve come to know this particular band of Leafs to be dirty, rotten scoundrals. I loathe them.
Anyway, playoff races make for strange bedfellows, and so tonight I must root for the Leafs.
A lot of talk the past few days about empty seats and neophyte fans … and I just wanted to chime in with this thought. Are we not talking out of both sides of our mouths when we urge Atlantans to show support by filling up Philips Arena … and then blasting them for being ‘bandwagon’ fans? Didn’t we plead with them to give hockey a chance? And now we’re offended at their lack of sophistication?
I just don’t see it that way. I’ll admit that Johnny-come-lately fans can be kind of annoying, especially when they turn something you cherish into just another ‘the thing to do.’ But at the same time, if we’ve been craving success and craving a hockey-supportive city, then this is part of the package. This is what we wanted. If you wanted to keep the Thrashers limited to the hockey-wise fan, then you should have been satisfied with crowds of 12,000. If you want that extra 4,000-5,000, then you’ve got to welcome the newbies. I mean, otherwise, what’s the alternative? You can’t just bus in 5,000 fans from Red Deer and Moose Jaw.
Fans have always had a sense of propriety, and I understand how those of us who have been going to games since Nelson Emerson was our only legitimate scoring threat can feel put off by a guy in a $200 Kovalchuk jersey at his first game yapping on his cellphone. But, guys, being a true fan is welcoming the growth of the team’s popularity. There’s no need for a Thrashier-than-thou attitude. You’re not going to get a button that says, “I was here when Scott Fankhouser started in goal.” Your long-time dedication is a source of pride, no doubt, and it shouldn’t be threatened by ‘bandwagon’ fans.
Bottom line: We want packed houses, we’ve got to accept the people who are packing it.
That said: This wave s* has got to stop NOW! And I agree with the bulk of the man-laws laid down on yesterday’s blog. By the weekend, we’ll draw up a full constitution and post it here, OK?
OK, moving on … we’re talking line nicknames, right? Clearly the Kovalchuk-Tkachuk line needs to play off the ‘Chuk thing. It’s too right in front of us not to. However, it’s got to be good. We can’t force it.
I have to admit. I’m not crazy about The Chuck Norris Line. He’s too creepy. And as a C-List Hollywood hack, I’m not sure he’s worth the honor of gracing one of the top lines in the NHL. Chuck Wagon isn’t THAT bad … remember, that thing did come whipping around the room like a bat out of hell in the commercials.
What else?
‘Chuk-Tkachuk-Goose? (Sim, being Goose, I guess.)
Two-Buck ’Chuk? In honor of Trader Joe’s cheap wine. (Love that store.) Or even Two-Chuk Buck.
‘The Sim Line’ would add a touch of irony, don’t you think?
I don’t know, guys, it’s a tough one. You can’t force these things, they have to evolve naturally. Fire away with your ideas, we’ll spitball this thing together ….
