Smackie the Frog

Hockey is the first team sport that I ever actually followed. Before hockey I was a huge tennis fan, but only watched team sports when other members of my family were. I’d go to baseball and hockey games sometimes with my uncle, but that was about it. Then sometime around 1994 I actually became interested in hockey all on my own.

All throughout middle school and the first few years of high school I was obsessed. I’d wear a Blues jersey 2 or 3 times a week. I’d watch games all the time. I was interested. I cared.

Somewhere along the line I lost interest. I don’t remember what exactly happened. I think part of it was that I just got done with the sport. And another part of it was that I found English soccer. And the Rams got really good. Hockey drifted to the back of my interests, even though the Blues were also kickin’ it through this same period.

Fast forward to last week. Hockey died. Actually, I should say that the NHL died. And for, I hate them. Why? Aren’t I uninterested in hockey? Well I was. And when the owners locked out the players this year, I didn’t care. I didn’t even care when they said that they were on the verge of cancelling the season for good.

Then something happened. It looked like there might be hockey. News started coming out that the two sides were close to reaching a deal. At this point I got excited. Football was over. Baseball was about a month away. There was a sports lull and when it seemed like there was going to be hockey, I got pumped. I was thrilled. I remembered how exciting hockey could be and the thought that there would be some games after all was great.

Wham! Then it all ended. Bettman came out and ended the season for good. I was furious. If they would have ended it, I wouldn’t have cared. But they got my hopes up and then ruined them. Damn them! I was furious and ready to write this post back then.

Again, though, something happened. Maybe it wouldn’t end after all. Even though the season had been cancelled there were reports coming out that the sides had come to a deal and there was going to be hockey. I sat around all last Saturday waiting for the news that the season was back on. And then the news came out. No hockey!

So fuck you NHL. Fuck you NHLPA. You both got my hopes up twice. And for that, I hate you. Now I especially don’t care. I don’t care if there is no hockey next year. I’ve found other sports to keep my interest. I’ve been watching college basketball. I even watched NASCAR. And baseball starts back up soon.

You guys lost a fan who was ready to come back. You will have to work really hard to get me to care again.