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Just start already!
Fan Commentary, by Mr. Miller
September 12, 2007
 The beginning of the 2007 NHL season is rapidly approaching. Here in Chicago, anticipation is running high as fans eagerly await the debut of rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. In Philadelphia, they're chomping at the proverbial bit for the chance to redeem themselves from a horrific 2006 campaign. Detroit fans are loading up on octopi and slowly reading the large-print version of "Hockey for Dummies".
Despite the recent start to the NFL season and the various pennant races happening in baseball, many hockey fans, the die-hards anyway, have easily switched their focus to all things hockey. Online message boards are loaded with posts about training camps, rosters, preseason reviews and predictions, fantasy leagues, rookie game results as well as the anticipated arrival of their precious season tickets.
Back-and-forth bantering (and in some cases bickering) is a result of the gradual rise in interest since their team last took the ice when, except in Anaheim, the season-ending cliche of "wait until next year" rang true for so many people. Next year is now. And now is the time to seriously prepare for hockey.
- On ChicagoBlackhawks.com, one fan started a season countdown. In July!
- In Pittsburgh, there are no less than five online conversations regarding the introduction of the new style of Penguins' sweater.
- San Jose's message boards, on the first page alone, there are five topics regarding the recent acquisition of fomer Blackhawk, Flyer, Coyote and King Jeremy Roenick.
- Virtually all hockey forums have multiple threads involving the release of EA Sports NHL '08.
- Interested in fantasy hockey? ChicagoBlackhawks.com has seven continuing discussions ranging from league recruitment, rules, a little trash talking among competitors and more. In Philadelphia, multiple conversations are happening as well.
Hockey fans are passionate. For some, the sport and their team are an obsession. If getting their off-season fix includes spending hours every day online, surfing the web for news, notes, chat rooms and message boards - then they should be thankful for the technology. But when it's all said and done, hockey is a sport than needs to be seen live; it's an experience. And no amount of online trash talking among fans or stat comparison between teams will ever change that. For those fans, this all amounts to nothing more than virtual foreplay: a reason for anticipating the real thing. When the season starts, it's all about the games.
But, sadly, not all discussions are intelligent and poignant. When coming from a rival fan, some can be actually quite comical and entertaining. Take this little gem from the Blues Forum:
Season Starting Butterflies
With the start of the season fast aproaching I thought I would find out if anyone else was having the same symptoms as me, I call it Blues Hockey Fever. I tried watching football, but it just couldn't keep my interest. I scan the TV guide for any show/movie about hockey. I have returned to the Blues site on a daily bassis again for any new news. My palms are swetty and I walk around in a lack luster state, dazed with the anticipation of the opening game.
If I don't see the Blues on the ice soon, I am afraid my blood will turn light blue.
Hockey is a great sport for all ages, but perhaps an intelligence test needs to be devised before walking through the turnstyle.
Nevertheless, hockey fans are some of the most knowledgeable and insightful fans in all of sports. Even the ones of questionable intelligence, like the post shown above or Red Wing fans, display a loyalty and passion that is rarely seen outside the NHL. Whether the topic is about who'll wear the "C" for the upcoming season or simply a tirade about The Hockey News prediction that says Columbus will finish last in the Central, fans are eager to see their teams hit the ice. Some even suffer from swetty palms.
For the sanity of all involved, it's time to drop the puck and get this season underway.
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