Everyone has a favorite team. But I firmly believe, if you are a hockey fan, you have another team on the side as well. A team you will root for if they are playing any team besides your own. Sometimes it's a team you just like this year for some reason. Other times it's a team your dad liked, or a team in the city you have been transplanted to. Whatever the reason I love doing this poll once a year and seeing exactly what teams in the NHL are getting the love from outside their own fan base. What I have found is there are definite trends year after year and certain teams rise and fall when it comes to a fans "outside interests."
I have always been a Flyers fan, but the other teams I follow has changed greatly.
As a kid my family vacationed in Montreal a lot and in my soul the city is the heart of the sport. I went to games in the old Forum and became completely enthralled by the franchise and all it entails. There is nothing like the city of Montreal when the Habs are playing. Everyone is involved. The arena is electric and carries years of tradition with it, but the entire city itself feels like an extension of the arena. Every bar, every home... It is hard to explain, but incredible to witness.
When I was engaged to my wife, she was living in Sunnyvale, California when Teemu Selanne was a Shark and the team was hitting its stride. I spent a lot of time out there and I met many good friends who were Sharks fans.
A few years ago I met and worked closely with people in the Predators organization and to this day it is still my favorite place to watch a hockey game. I love everything about hockey in Nashville...the atmosphere, the fans, the city, and the people who make that team tick. So I am always pulling for the Preds.
Finally, over the past decade I have become friends with many players on many teams and I have become more of a fan of those individual players than any one team. Of course the Flyers are in my blood and my family's blood, but I pull for certain players wherever they play more than I do for any one team. I have definitely seen that shift in my rooting habits.
So what is your story?
While I hope you answer the poll below I would also love in the comments for you to list your favorite team and your other teams and why they are on your list.
Cheers Ek