Hockey is a big part of my life. Not only do I enjoy it as a dedicated fan, but I also play here at school. My favorite teams are (obviously) the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. My dad got me in with the Hawks when I was about 4, and they haven't lost my loyalty yet - even through all their rough times :P Chris Chelios is - by far - my favorite Blackhawk and is also my favorite defensman in the NHL. I really liked Jeremy Roenick when he was with the Hawks, but like Eddie Belfour now that he's with Dallas, he's doing better with Phoenix. As for Paul Kariya, my best friend (Jenn) claims I'm going to marry him, but somehow I just don't think so :P hehe
I'm hoping both my teams have a good year. They both made the playoffs last season, and I'm hoping they not only make it this year, but go a little further.
I don't quite remember when exactly I got into hockey, but I DO know that it's a part of my blood now. I'm quite addicted to the sport and would be lost without it :( However, ice hockey isn't the only sport I thoroughly enjoy. I also love football and volleyball. So, check out the rest of the sports; maybe you'll find something you like :)
A couple steps below the NHL is the ECHL and my beloved Toledo Storm. Their logo was rated worst in professional hockey in 1994 & 1995, but they're one of the most successful franchises on the ice :) Mikey Kolenda has to be my favorite Storm player. He's a really great hockey player as well as a really great guy. It's a shame he hasn't been called up to the IHL lately... even though that's great for me because then I have more opportunities to talk to him!! :) Jason Gladney is another really great player. He also happens to be the one Storm player that my best friend likes (she's a Columbus Chill fan, and Toledo and Columbus are in-state rivals). Storm fans are also really excited to have Mark Deazeley back this season!! He helped us win both of our Riley Cup Championships, then he left to go to Tallahassee, but he's back, and we're mighty glad to have The Deazle back in town! Toledo's doing really well this year, and I'm thankful for it because I don't appreciate their playing style much anymore :P But that's ok because I'll still stay a loyal fan.
Boston University is my favorite NCAA team, and not just because of they're varsity. I almost became a Terrier (a student at BU), and I think their hockey program is awesome! They've been to the NCAA Varsity Tournament for past many years (I don't know how many exactly), and after winning in 1994-95 season, they had a heart-breaking loss to Michigan in the championship game in 1995-96. They are currently on top in the Hockey East - their division in the NCAA - and on pace to make the National Tournament again :) Senior co-captain Chris Drury is the little brother of Anaheim Mighty Ducks left winger Ted Drury and has been my favorite Terrier for as long as he's been at BU. A couple other favorites are: Peter Donatelli, Jeff Kealty, and Mike Sylvia. Good luck to them in this year's playoffs!
Even though Ohio University's hockey team is only a club team, I think they're the best. I started following them about halfway through my very first quarter here, and I've been a loyal fan ever since. As you can see by the logo I chose, they're the defending, three-time National Champions (ACHA), and that's no easy feat even though it's not exactly the NCAA and Varsity. We've fought hard for each and every one of those titles, and to go along with those 3, we also have 2 CSCHL (that's our league) championship titles. And that's all in the 2 1/2 years that I've been here. My freshman year, Nationals were here at OU, and what an awesome experience that was!!!!! To see them win at home was the ultimate for a sports fan! We aren't doing as well this year as we have in the past, but that's understandable because we lost 3 of our top scoreres to graduation last season. We're still holding our own, though, and are ranked #5 in the ACHA & #3 in the CSCHL. This, unfortunately, was the first year since I began college that I missed the championship game of nationals. But Nationals were at Iowa State, and that's a trip I wasn't willing to make again anytime soon! Unfortunately, we lost. We did really well all week and went into the championship game with a 3-0 record against Michigan-Dearborn (who won the CSCHL), Illinois, and Delaware. I don't know what happened, but we choked against Penn State. We scored first, but they ended beating us 5-1 :( Better luck next year I hope!
Jeff Hackett (the "new" Chicago sensation)
