Chex LeMeneux
Registered User
Hello all. I’ll be honest, I’ve been lurking around this forum for a long time, and I must say I’ve never felt more compelled to contribute than I do now. First, let me start by saying the wealth of knowledge around here is amazing, particularly when it comes to prospects (big props to ChadS and anyone else who comes here to give us updates on them by the way.) I enjoy reading the opinions of some of the more knowledgeable members on this board and I definitely think I’ve learned a few things while doing so.
With that said, there are quite a few things that have kept me from posting all these years. I have no doubt everyone that comes here is a die-hard Wings fan. I just think a few, admittedly very vocal (and dour) individuals, have kind of lost their perspective. We are privileged not only to be fans of the greatest sport ever played, but also fans of arguably the single greatest franchise in all of sports history (or at least for the last 20 or so years.) It is for that reason that we can’t be blamed for losing a little perspective from time to time.
I started watching the Wings in 1995. I remember the first season, feeling the heartbreak of being swept by a New Jersey Devils team that was supposedly so inferior. I remember seeing Stevie lift the cup for the first time in 97, winning the next one for Vladdy; Bowman lacing up the skates and doing a farewell victory lap in 02 and Zetterberg completely manhandling Sid the Kid in 08, making the “Next One†look like some random schlub straight out of juniors. I’ve seen some of the greatest players of all time finish their careers wearing the Winged Wheel. These are all fond memories that I'll always remember and I consider myself very fortunate to have witnessed them. I mean, think about that for a second, that is nearly 19 years (for me) of good memories and very few not so good ones that this team has provided for all of us.
Now compare that to any other team in the league, where it’s not only natural for teams to have the occasional down season, but in the modern NHL it’s almost obligatory, dare I say essential even. We’re sitting here complaining because we haven’t been Stanley Cup contenders for a couple years, after nearly 20 years of complete and utter dominance. I used to wonder why fans of other teams hate us. I don’t anymore, we’re spoiled. We really need not be, because here’s the thing, if you’ve been paying any attention at all, you know that this team will be tops in the league again in the not too distant future. So really the only reason I came here to post this long-winded introductory message was to say this: cheer up guys, we’re the most fortunate fanbase in the World.
With that said, there are quite a few things that have kept me from posting all these years. I have no doubt everyone that comes here is a die-hard Wings fan. I just think a few, admittedly very vocal (and dour) individuals, have kind of lost their perspective. We are privileged not only to be fans of the greatest sport ever played, but also fans of arguably the single greatest franchise in all of sports history (or at least for the last 20 or so years.) It is for that reason that we can’t be blamed for losing a little perspective from time to time.
I started watching the Wings in 1995. I remember the first season, feeling the heartbreak of being swept by a New Jersey Devils team that was supposedly so inferior. I remember seeing Stevie lift the cup for the first time in 97, winning the next one for Vladdy; Bowman lacing up the skates and doing a farewell victory lap in 02 and Zetterberg completely manhandling Sid the Kid in 08, making the “Next One†look like some random schlub straight out of juniors. I’ve seen some of the greatest players of all time finish their careers wearing the Winged Wheel. These are all fond memories that I'll always remember and I consider myself very fortunate to have witnessed them. I mean, think about that for a second, that is nearly 19 years (for me) of good memories and very few not so good ones that this team has provided for all of us.
Now compare that to any other team in the league, where it’s not only natural for teams to have the occasional down season, but in the modern NHL it’s almost obligatory, dare I say essential even. We’re sitting here complaining because we haven’t been Stanley Cup contenders for a couple years, after nearly 20 years of complete and utter dominance. I used to wonder why fans of other teams hate us. I don’t anymore, we’re spoiled. We really need not be, because here’s the thing, if you’ve been paying any attention at all, you know that this team will be tops in the league again in the not too distant future. So really the only reason I came here to post this long-winded introductory message was to say this: cheer up guys, we’re the most fortunate fanbase in the World.