New to Hockey

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  Jul 25, 2010 10:17 AM GMT

  Hey. What's going on?
  
  So, basically....yeah, I'm new to hockey...have caught a few games every now and then; however, now I'm ready to settle down and find a team.
  
  Do y'all have any suggestions and reasons why?
  
  I dunno, but Nashville Predators or Atlanta Thrashers come to mind; however, that's only because they're the "locals." I really like to root for the underdogs in alot of things and, generally speaking, don't like the guys on top that brag all the time (much more fun when they're taken down) ...so, like everyone likes the Detroit Red Wings it seems like, thus I don't really like them.
  
  If it helps y'all figure out what kind of teams I generally like, here's my list: Baseball: Atlanta Braves, Football: Carolina Panthers, Basketball: ...don't really watch, but I pull for the Memphis Grizzlies, Soccer: Manchester United, Rugby: Ireland.
  
  ...and, to my knowledge, I'm the only guy in the south (at least this part) that's even into hockey.

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• calibro
  
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  Jul 25, 2010 4:19 PM GMT

  hockey isn't like a boyfriend: you can't just find one on craigslist. it takes time, you have to be open to different styles of play, and one day a team will just resonate with you. for me, it's san jose.

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• fireboy16
  
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  Jul 25, 2010 5:12 PM GMT

  Agree with calibro!
  
  My team is the Philadelphia Flyers!

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• shoelessj
  
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  Jul 26, 2010 5:41 AM GMT

  well, my two cents -- a great 'underdog' type of story was the chicago blackhawks. only a few years ago hockey was dead in chicago, mainly because of the horrible ownership and management. but then the owner died and his sons put money into the team, put the games back on TV, and made management changes ... we got a scrappy, talented team, with a couple of high-priced additions here and there, and whaddaya know ... after almost 50 years, we win the stanley cup this season!
  
  it's going to be tough for the hawks to repeat given how much salary they've had to dump this off-season but it should be another entertaining season.
  
  feel free to ask any questions about the sport. i like talking about it. i got my bf into it so i love passing on the love of this great sport.

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  Jul 26, 2010 5:51 AM GMT

  I was born and raised a Sharks fan as I grew up 10 min away from the arena and my family had season tickets.
  
  Most people pick sports teams when they're young either for a local reason or something else. (jersey colors, a memorable game, something that kids decide on).
  
  Since you're older and are in an area where there aren't many teams around, you can be more rational. My suggestion is you watch games and just see what teams/players you like better.
  

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• hartfan
  
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  Jul 26, 2010 6:53 AM GMT

  ChangedReality saidHey. What's going on?
  
  So, basically....yeah, I'm new to hockey...have caught a few games every now and then; however, now I'm ready to settle down and find a team.
  
  Do y'all have any suggestions and reasons why?
  
  I dunno, but Nashville Predators or Atlanta Thrashers come to mind; however, that's only because they're the "locals." I really like to root for the underdogs in alot of things and, generally speaking, don't like the guys on top that brag all the time (much more fun when they're taken down) ...so, like everyone likes the Detroit Red Wings it seems like, thus I don't really like them.
  
  If it helps y'all figure out what kind of teams I generally like, here's my list: Baseball: Atlanta Braves, Football: Carolina Panthers, Basketball: ...don't really watch, but I pull for the Memphis Grizzlies, Soccer: Manchester United, Rugby: Ireland.
  
  ...and, to my knowledge, I'm the only guy in the south (at least this part) that's even into hockey.

  
  
  I find it strange that you root for the underdogs and yet support Manchester United.
  
  I have actually found very few people outside the state of Michigan (or hail from there) who like the Red Wings, everyone seems to be against the "dynasty". It is true that the Wings don't tend to have a flashy style of play, like perhaps the Penguins or the Capitals do. What they tend to do is be solid--they work hard, play as a team, don't give in to individual heroics, grind it out and get it done. So yes, they are boring, and perhaps why some think they don't deserve the attention they get from being consistently on top, but they really don't do much bragging and only let the results speak for themselves, and they certainly don't have the pizazz generated by the Penguins, the Capitals, the Blackhawks, the Flyers, the Bruins or even the Sharks at times. Of course, you could say that I'm biased speaking as a Wings fan, so make of that what you will.
  
  As far as the teams in your area, I've lived in North Carolina and have supported the Hurricanes. Both the 'Canes and the Lightning have won Stanley Cups. The Lightning could be newly resurging now that Yzerman has taken over, while the 'Canes seem to be on their way down. However, I really admire the Predators--they're the only team in the Central Division I have no animosity toward. That's probably because for a franchise with almost no tradition and fanfare, they get a lot done with very little. And they play quite similarly to the Red Wings, albeit with fewer Europeans and fewer hockey stars. Shea Weber might be leading them to new heights next season. And the small number of fans they have are pretty loyal it seems. So the Pred would be my recommendation to check out. Good luck.

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  Jul 26, 2010 8:28 AM GMT

  Hartfan, in my defense of supporting Man U, when I was over in England for a semester, the family I stayed with had season tickets... so we were always at the field and because of their connections I got to meet every player on the team (lets just say those were happy days haha)... thus my pulling for them.
  
  But, I've been catching up on some games (thanks to DirecTV and the internet) from this last year... so far I like the Penguins, Capitals, Rangers, Thrashers and Blackhawks. I dunno...just their style of play, what some of their fan characteristics are.... they all have some hot players. (hey, just being honest, although that last part isn't really part of my decision making process, it's just something I've noticed)
  
  Being rational about it is tough, though... I mean, I grew up with the Braves... when the Panthers came along I liked the style/mascot/colors is what really pulled me to them (plus...anything besides the 'Aints), Grizzlies...went to a game and since I don't follow the NBA really it just is a team to pull for, Man U is explained above... and Rugby...well, I have a cousin from back in Ireland who used to play for them, so that's what got me into it.

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• hartfan
  
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  Jul 26, 2010 3:13 PM GMT

  ChangedReality saidHartfan, in my defense of supporting Man U, when I was over in England for a semester, the family I stayed with had season tickets... so we were always at the field and because of their connections I got to meet every player on the team (lets just say those were happy days haha)... thus my pulling for them.
  
  But, I've been catching up on some games (thanks to DirecTV and the internet) from this last year... so far I like the Penguins, Capitals, Rangers, Thrashers and Blackhawks. I dunno...just their style of play, what some of their fan characteristics are.... they all have some hot players. (hey, just being honest, although that last part isn't really part of my decision making process, it's just something I've noticed)
  
  Being rational about it is tough, though... I mean, I grew up with the Braves... when the Panthers came along I liked the style/mascot/colors is what really pulled me to them (plus...anything besides the 'Aints), Grizzlies...went to a game and since I don't follow the NBA really it just is a team to pull for, Man U is explained above... and Rugby...well, I have a cousin from back in Ireland who used to play for them, so that's what got me into it.

  
  
  Sports is hardly rational. We all support the teams that we do because of our life experiences, how they appeal to us etc. I myself don't say I support the Red Wings because they have won 4 Stanley Cups and 4 Presidents Trophy and gone to the conference finals 8 times in the last 14 seasons (though that certainly help); statistics are more the realm of team coaches, managers and sports agents and more tangential to even the diehard fan's love for his team. It's ok for us to like different teams--I only argued my case because I think there should be a voice on the other side, even if I don't expect to win over anyone. It doesn't mean I think we can't get along, or that I am the only person who can be right.
  
  Looking at your favorite teams, I realize that we are probably on different ends of the spectrum. I hate the Penguins, can't stand the Blackhawks, and despise the Rangers. I don't have an opinion on the Thrashers (who, frankly, don't register much as an NHL team, though we'll see if Byfuglien, Sopel and co. will change that) and I probably only tolerate the Capitals because I like to see Ovechkin beat up on Crosby. Teams that I view favorably include the Predators, the Kings, the Coyotes (yes, despite the desert brawl this past season), the Sabres and the Devils. I guess it also helps that the hockey players I find attractive aren't on any of the teams I dislike.
  
  So really, my point is just go with what you like and sooner or later you'll find a favorite team. Besides, who is to say that you can't enjoy the game without having a favorite?
  
  (The South is definitely becoming more aware of hockey, notwithstanding the hordes of northern Yankees moving down there. Be patient, you will find fans soon enough.)
  
  
  
  

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• shoelessj
  
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  Jul 26, 2010 5:15 PM GMT

  hartfan wrote:
  "I guess it also helps that the hockey players I find attractive aren't on any of the teams I dislike."
  
  and who might some of those players be?
  
  myself, it makes being a blackhawks fan even easier, seeing that they have johnathan toews and guys like kopecky (sp) and hajahlmarrson (sp again - these guys are cute but i can never remember how to spell their names), as well. and the whole sopel (after they traded him, too!) riding on a float in the chicago pride parade is enough to make any gay guy a fan of him and the team.
  
  you are right that who you like in sports is hardly rational. like in baseball, i like the white sox because of the way the team is run and because of a handful of their players, but also because i can't stand most cubs fans. and while people might expect me to root for the italian soccer team, given my ethnic heritage and many of my friends support them, i just cannot stand the way that the italian national team plays soccer, so i was rooting for others (U.S., Netherlands, Ghana) in the world cup.

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• hartfan
  
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  Jul 26, 2010 7:33 PM GMT

  shoelessj saidand while people might expect me to root for the italian soccer team, given my ethnic heritage and many of my friends support them, i just cannot stand the way that the italian national team plays soccer, so i was rooting for others (U.S., Netherlands, Ghana) in the world cup.

  
  
  I despise the Italians too. Never forgot how they cheated their way to the World Cup four years ago.
  
  

  shoelessj saidhartfan wrote:
  "I guess it also helps that the hockey players I find attractive aren't on any of the teams I dislike."
  
  and who might some of those players be?

  
  
  I made a thread just to answer your question: http://www.realjock.com/gayforums/1055641.

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  Jul 26, 2010 7:38 PM GMT

  
  
  Go Leafs Go. That's all you need to know about hockey.

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  Jul 26, 2010 7:55 PM GMT

  As the name says, a BLACKHAWKS FAN here !!! And yes, I hate the wings, finally got what they deserved. ;)
  
  And yes, I have been a fan LONG before they won the Stanley Cup this year.
  
  Go to NHL.com and check out the teams. Learn a bit about them, and one will click for you. For me, it was easy. Detroit pistons won in the 80's playing dirty street ball, no honor in them. Hated detroit teams ever since. Started going to Chicago, and fell in love with the city. My story...

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