I've been a long, longtime viewer of this site and board. I finally joined. And I must say, it really makes me sick all the comments I've seen over the years about Tootoo, Ott, Witkowski. I'm asking all Red Wings fans. WHY the hate?
Tootoo was a great redemption story. He had personal demons, he was NOT a big guy, but he loved putting it all on the line. Ott was obviously a guy who couldn't fight well. But my god did he love to do it to get the boys and the fans going. Witkowski is a Michigan kid living out his dream. I know him from some sports related events and he's a great person who loves doing what it takes to help the team, whether that's a fight or sitting in the press box. Literally anything to live the dream being in the NHL.
Do we all not remember the guys like Kocur, Probert, McCarty. Let's add Shanny, Downey, hell even Pushor to the list. Those guys were a part of historic seasons (Pushor with the first scrap of Bloody Wednesday, Downey with his name on the cup and the beating of Laperriere). The Avs/Wings. More recently, the Bolts/Ducks vs. the Wings. Hell, even the Stars and Blues, we had plenty of moments.
I know the game has changed. So be it. I'm not asking you to say I'd prefer a Turgeon over Witkowski. I just want to clear the air that I don't like hearing the comments calling these guys plugs or saying they deserved to be waived. They are the ones who want to entertain us. They wear THE wheel. They want to stick up for their mates. They do anything it takes, if that means being punched in the face. They do it for us. Just like the names above. Let's show some love Wings fans.
P.S. - This was thought about watching videos of Ott fight Orpik, Wings/Calgary, and Mantha/McKegg. Orpik is a weasel but he's a bull, Ott waves the crowd on as he's getting hit. Mantha sees Larkin go face first into the boards, his teammate of only one year. Witkowski versus Calgary? I don't need to say much!