I am a St. Mikes fan, so I can't really sympathize with a fan of the Slush Puppies
( although you guys are doing well this year! ). However, I will agree with your latter point about suffering through the 80's. When Ballard pretty much sucked the life out of Sittler and Paiement and sent them packing in 82 ( ugh ) we really only had one bright spot to cheer for on the team - Rick Vaive. He had 50+ points for three years in a row. He was pretty much the bright spot until Courtnall came around and then Damphouse was drafted ( I think right around that time ) and he looked to be up and coming ( and actually was a great young player only to be later traded ). We actually made the playoffs that year ( I think that was 87?) and took out the Blues in the first round if I recall correctly. Of course then Vaive was sent packing to somewhere ( I can't remember but i think it was Chicago ) for Eddie the 'O' who stuck around for a few years playing really well until he got shipped off in a wonderous trade for DAVE ELLET....ugh. I could go on but I won't. Anyway, Rick Vaive is really the only noteable one of the 80's IMO - sorry all you Durlago, Iafrate, and Anderson fans, but hey - Vaive was the only bright spot on the team!