NHL Team "racism"

[blazejowski]

Here's my scenario....

Around this time last year, they announced the sale of the Thrashers, and that they were coming to Winnipeg. Understandably, our city went nuts over the news, blah blah blah... I was not one of them. I have never been a Jets fan, ever. Growing up, I was an Oilers fan, mostly because they were the team that appealed to a lot of people, due to Gretzky, and when I hit my teens, I latched upon the Red Wings, due to the greatness that was Stevie Yzerman.

I have been an unabashed Wing Nut for 20 + years, have a ton of Wings gear, etc etc etc. It's not hard to see that I am a huge fan. When the Jets came back, a good portion of my friends and family started turning into this cult-like Jets following, and pretty much chastised me for not being a fan. So much that I actually began HATING the Jets, and becoming an anti-Jets supporter, which cost me a few friends in the process - not that I give a shit.

What pisses me off is the stigma that because you live in the city, you HAVE to cheer for said team. Some days it feels like a communist country in my town, because I get shit on that much for being a Wings fan. Yet, one year ago, I had friends that were "die-hard" Habs fans, Leafs fans, Hawks fans, etc etc etc. Now they give anyone who isn't aboard the Jets bandwagon grief....

Sorry for being a bit long winded, but I am just curious - how is it in other cities, especially Vancouver? Is it that bad over there if you're not a Nucks fan??

 

[emacky]

I got friends who are Hab fans, Bruins fans or even Leafs fans. There's some gentle hazing or taunting when they meet, but nothing serious. However, there are people in every city that will bash you even more for not being a fan. Though words can't really hurt you as long as it is in good fun. There are stories in the states where supporting opposition teams will get physically harassed or beat up.

Prime example was during the Canucks Stanley Cup run last year. When Canucks fans headed to San Jose, there were people who heckled Canucks fans, but nothing serious. When we played the Bruins, anyone not in a Bruin's jersey and was in the TD Garden were harassed, verbally and physically. Worst situation I heard was a guy who was lined up to use the washroom got pushed out of the line, beat up and the security guard said he started it and threw the Canucks fan out of the arena.

Honestly, it's more about local pride. If you like another team it's fine. Most fans aren't that big of A-holes

 

[badbadboy]

Here's my scenario....

Around this time last year, they announced the sale of the Thrashers, and that they were coming to Winnipeg. Understandably, our city went nuts over the news, blah blah blah... I was not one of them. I have never been a Jets fan, ever. Growing up, I was an Oilers fan, mostly because they were the team that appealed to a lot of people, due to Gretzky, and when I hit my teens, I latched upon the Red Wings, due to the greatness that was Stevie Yzerman.

I have been an unabashed Wing Nut for 20 + years, have a ton of Wings gear, etc etc etc. It's not hard to see that I am a huge fan. When the Jets came back, a good portion of my friends and family started turning into this cult-like Jets following, and pretty much chastised me for not being a fan. So much that I actually began HATING the Jets, and becoming an anti-Jets supporter, which cost me a few friends in the process - not that I give a shit.

What pisses me off is the stigma that because you live in the city, you HAVE to cheer for said team. Some days it feels like a communist country in my town, because I get shit on that much for being a Wings fan. Yet, one year ago, I had friends that were "die-hard" Habs fans, Leafs fans, Hawks fans, etc etc etc. Now they give anyone who isn't aboard the Jets bandwagon grief....

Sorry for being a bit long winded, but I am just curious - how is it in other cities, especially Vancouver? Is it that bad over there if you're not a Nucks fan??

Try being a long time Canucks fan when the Habs or the Laughs come to town.

Still the poor cousin to those Original Six teams.

FYI, its the same in Ottawa. I have friends there but you would not know they had a team when TO or MTL visit Kanata.

Edited to add - you are in a much different position than the rest of us since you have lost a team and then got one back again. Sure the Jets supporters will be on your ass for being a Wings supporter.

 

[WWTDD]

Similar story. It was 2006 during the Oilers Stanley Cup run and I was at the Cactus Club watching the game in my Oiler jersey. Two guys sit down next to me and one of the guys starts giving me grief because I live in Vancouver but I cheering the Oilers. So I turn to him and say, "If you moved to Toronto, would you cheer for the Leafs?". His buddy bursts out laughing and says "Yah would you?". So the guy says in a quiet, "no guess not". I get lots of grief for being an Oiler fan but being Stanley Cup champs you can just tell them to stuff it until they win something. Usually in Vancouver, because they haven't won the Cup, they usually just hang they're head and walk away. Trust the same thing will happen in a few years when the Wings continue to have success and the Jets don't make the playoffs. If you've lost friends because you're a Wings fan and they're not. Screw them. I play in a league where all the guys cheer for other teams and no one gets bend out of shape over it. Even the guys who cheer for the Leafs. So when the Jets fan give you heck, ask how many years it's been since their Avco Cup wins.

 

[blazejowski]

Similar story. It was 2006 during the Oilers Stanley Cup run and I was at the Cactus Club watching the game in my Oiler jersey. Two guys sit down next to me and one of the guys starts giving me grief because I live in Vancouver but I cheering the Oilers. So I turn to him and say, "If you moved to Toronto, would you cheer for the Leafs?". His buddy bursts out laughing and says "Yah would you?". So the guy says in a quiet, "no guess not". I get lots of grief for being an Oiler fan but being Stanley Cup champs you can just tell them to stuff it until they win something. Usually in Vancouver, because they haven't won the Cup, they usually just hang they're head and walk away. Trust the same thing will happen in a few years when the Wings continue to have success and the Jets don't make the playoffs. If you've lost friends because you're a Wings fan and they're not. Screw them. I play in a league where all the guys cheer for other teams and no one gets bend out of shape over it. Even the guys who cheer for the Leafs. So when the Jets fan give you heck, ask how many years it's been since their Avco Cup wins.

Exactly... it's no skin off my ass when they stopped being my friends...

 

[Ray]

A number of guys I grew up with in Vancouver are diehard Habs fans.
There are guys I work with who are Oilers, Flames, and Maple Leaf fans. (Born and raised on the Wet Coast.)
Takes all types. No one gets too agitated.

 

[blazejowski]

A number of guys I grew up with in Vancouver are diehard Habs fans.
There are guys I work with who are Oilers, Flames, and Maple Leaf fans. (Born and raised on the Wet Coast.)
Takes all types. No one gets too agitated.

I actually don't mind the rivalry between friends...

Like being from Winnipeg, everyone's a Bomber fan - we get a lot of Sask refugees, and of course they are diehard Riders fans. There is always a rivalry, but not like this second coming of the Jets. It's like a cult, I shit you not...

 

[Dgodus]

I actually don't mind the rivalry between friends...

Like being from Winnipeg, everyone's a Bomber fan - we get a lot of Sask refugees, and of course they are diehard Riders fans. There is always a rivalry, but not like this second coming of the Jets. It's like a cult, I shit you not...

Yea I'm gonna attribute that too the fact the Jets were gone for so long (oddly enough in Moncton we had their farm team). I can understand it, slightly. When guys from Brandon were talking about maybe giving them a new name I suggested the "gone again in 7 years". This is the honeymoon at the moment, it'll pass and everyone will remember the Canadian cities have a hard time keeping up with their bigger American brothers as far as finances go; then will go back to their normal out of town favorite teams while paying lip service to the Jets.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I'm a Jets fan here in Wpg. and have always been but I have lots of friends who support other teams and it makes no difference to me. I guess I'm not as hard core as some because unlike alot of sports fans I've always realized it is just a game. Unfortunately some take it too seriously. I have a friend who I was watching a game with last year and his wife is all upset there are people in the stands wearing jerseys from the opposition. I pointed out to her that maybe they are from there or have friends or family on the other team.
Maybe I'm more understanding because I'm a Rider fan living in Wpg. who has to put up with all the buffoons every Sept. when the Riders come to Wpg.

 

[plumbcrawl]

I'm a Jets fan here in Wpg. and have always been but I have lots of friends who support other teams and it makes no difference to me. I guess I'm not as hard core as some because unlike alot of sports fans I've always realized it is just a game. Unfortunately some take it too seriously. I have a friend who I was watching a game with last year and his wife is all upset there are people in the stands wearing jerseys from the opposition. I pointed out to her that maybe they are from there or have friends or family on the other team.
Maybe I'm more understanding because I'm a Rider fan living in Wpg. who has to put up with all the buffoons every Sept. when the Riders come to Wpg.

geez if you are complaining about being a rider fan in MB try being a bomber fan in Regina. My car got carved/keyed up and license plates stolen (bomber plates) & 2 tires slashed. Good times...

 

[wilde]

I am a big Habs fan living in Vancouver and I get some grief from my friends and co-workers who are Cannots fans. They usually shut the hell up when I tell them that once you have been along the ride to a Stanley Cup championship (1993), it's hard to switch your allegiance even when you move to another city.

 

[blazejowski]

Only in Vancouver will you see two assholes wearing the same jersey get into a fight after their team wins.

Probably the same assholes who were overturning police cars last year....