I've been committed to the indian since 1969, home grown Hawks fan. As of the moment, I feel that this team is stuck. Too many long term contracts with no trade clauses, that cannot be moved for that reason. Also, the trade value of these contracts is not very high at this time. So Hawks are stuck with them and have to hope that these players have rebound years. Hopefully, their pride as professionals will have them playing with a chip on their shoulders this year. The kids look good and they are building from the back end, which is the right thing to do. Need more prospects at the forward position. Have to be hopeful

Few years ago, NOT the same situation, but San Jose blew a 1st round playoff series after being up 3-0 versus the Kings. Everybody was calling for Doug Wilson's head, massive changes .... tear it down ! All they did was strip Thornton of C and gave it to Joe Pavelski and acquired Martin Jones, who was then a back up. That's all !

The last three years, the Sharks have been a pretty good team, despite not winning any cups. Hoping the Hawks can rebound like the Sharks. It can be possible but we will have to wait and see

I grew up in a small farm town in Southern Illinois closer to St. Louis so football, basketball, and baseball reigned supreme. My twin brother and I would catch Blues games on KPLR-11 but neither of us liked the team (we didn't like the Cardinals either). Can't put my finger on it, but I loved the Blackhawks instantly. It wasn't the logo or the storied history (I'm in my 40's). No matter, I'm a diehard Hawks fan and have been since the late 80's.

I never played organized hockey growing up due to the other prominent sports around me. Due to lack of resources and opportunities, I actually learned how to skate on my own and how to play the game just playing pick-up with my brother and the few friends who liked hockey. It wasn't until college in Chicago when I was able to play in a rec league in the suburbs, then played more rec league after college.

My 3 kids are intrigued when I watch hockey at home, and we have a mini play set that they play once in a while in the living room or in the yard. I don't care if they don't ever play, but they at least know hockey is a big part of my life and enjoy watching on TV with me even if I preempt their cartoons.

It also helps that my wife, who is from the hockey hotbed known as Hawaii, loves hockey and is very knowledgeable of the game and the Blackhawks. She is supportive of my habit.

For a 3-time 30 goal scorer the Canes would want a respectable roster player. Not an overrated trash panda who takes draws with the knob of his twig. AA isn’t worth skinner.
- FinnGod

Jeff Skinner is another skiled, soft, perimeter, LITERAL figure skater that fits Stan Bowman's roster building max height of 5'11" and under 180lbs KEEP HIM!

Jeff Skinner is another skiled, soft, perimeter, LITERAL figure skater that fits Stan Bowman's roster building max height of 5'11" and under 180lbs KEEP HIM!
- EnzoD

Haha. Very true, but Skinner gets results, too. Concussion/injury worries, but I can't figure out why Carolina wants to move one of the only dudes that scores for them.

Seems like a piece you'd want to keep around with the young team they have building...

Haha. Very true, but Skinner gets results, too. Concussion/injury worries, but I can't figure out why Carolina wants to move one of the only dudes that scores for them.

Seems like a piece you'd want to keep around with the young team they have building...
- Hank3Henshaw

With all the shortages on the roster in terms of Center, Defense, and players with size, Skinner is a surplus not needed. But yeah, he is very skilled and puts the puck in the net.

Haha. Very true, but Skinner gets results, too. Concussion/injury worries, but I can't figure out why Carolina wants to move one of the only dudes that scores for them.

Seems like a piece you'd want to keep around with the young team they have building...
- Hank3Henshaw

That team hasn´t made playoffs once with Skinner in their roster. Not saying that it´s Skinner´s fault but maybe they want to take another direction as a organisation. Sebastian Aho is their leader if not now - soon enough. I think they will be fine without Skinner.

Hey JL...great blog and nice job sneaking Myers in there.

I think Myers could be a player the Jets are willing to part with, they need to re-sign Hellebuyck, Trouba and Morrissey. Cap wise they don't need to dump Myers, but cash-flow is another issue.

Myers contract is up after next season, but so is Laine, Conner and Wheeler. Maybe they find a way to keep Myers, but I doubt it. The only questions would be - do they Jets hang on to Myers for another run and lose him for nothing or do they try to recoup an asset knowing the'd not sticking around long term?

From what I've been of Myers he's either really solid or really terrible, and I've seen both extremes often in the same game. He wouldn't be a bad addition, but certainly not worth overpaying for.
- DarthKane

Like that? ha.

I've heard his name a couple times pop up but not in relation to the Hawks, just that he may be available.

For a 3-time 30 goal scorer the Canes would want a respectable roster player. Not an overrated trash panda who takes draws with the knob of his twig. AA isn’t worth skinner.
- FinnGod

Thanks for the contribution and analytical perspective.

Jeff Skinner is another skiled, soft, perimeter, LITERAL figure skater that fits Stan Bowman's roster building max height of 5'11" and under 180lbs KEEP HIM!
- EnzoD

Not to let facts get in the way of your fetish with other dudes' size, but Skinner is 200 lbs. He's also top 20 in terms of high danger shot rate and that's why his xGF is in the top 5% of the league, but sure, he's a perimeter player.

I'd prefer the Hawks to focus on getting a top 4 d-man or a lower line checking center but that's no reason to not look up general easy to find facts about a player just so you can shoehorn him into some narrative.

Like Hawks have them in trees?
- MjulQvist

No, but they get out from under the contact and probably let Skinner walk after the 1 yr on his 5.7 mil per contact. Although Skinner is just 26 so if he acclimated maybe they would consider him part of a core and resign him.

Born and raised LI guy who has a father who had season tix during the Isles glory days.... All the while I was at 8-9 years old was obsessed with an Indian logo and jersey. Then Jeremy Roenick came around and say no more. Needless to l say, I have an excellent father who didn't make me drink Isles Kool aid and let me like who/what I like.

It has been a dream to meet JR, and am convinced I will at some point, but the love for Hawks supersecceds all.

Its this board that keeps me in great conversations with Hawks fans, for most to all of the ones here are for lack of better words "bandwagoners"

Long story short, get Faulk from Carolina on the blue line and get Letestu for face offs and PK and this team improves a great deal.

* be realistic and if this season doesn't go well, acquire future assets and draft picks and look to reset again next year

You might not want to hear that last point, but without doing a full rebuild, the Hawks management has to continue to look in the mirror at this time.

This is where I agree with you in theory Justin, but in practice the Hawks are going to have a very hard time trying to accomplish this if things go south for this next season. Because of all the NMCs and NTCs Stan has handed out plus now having several "core" players appear to slip from their elite level to just being "very good" or even average, I don't know how possible it is to reset this roster. I feel like it will be more of the same, just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Kane isn't going to be moved, Toews and Seabrook have contracts and term length that makes it nearly impossible to move them, and if Keith doesn't bounce back this year we could be talking about a full on decline for him that doesn't make him an attractive asset anymore. Even Anismov seems to have lost the shine on his penny as a trade chip where Stan may be lucky to even get a 2nd-3rd round pick for him.

So I guess my point is, if things do go badly again, I don't see how this team can make major changes or do a major rebuild. It feels a bit like the Detroit Red Wings decline a few years back. You have this nostalgic feel to the team that they were great not too long ago, you keep your stars and core around a tad too long, and then you sit in cap hell until they retire because you can't do anything else until you get a full rebuild on a good 4-6 years later. That is what this Hawks team feels like unless Stan can pull a rabbit out of his hat, and honestly if the team does poorly, let's be realistic, Stan and Q aren't making it to next summer.

I've been committed to the indian since 1969, home grown Hawks fan. As of the moment, I feel that this team is stuck. Too many long term contracts with no trade clauses, that cannot be moved for that reason. Also, the trade value of these contracts is not very high at this time. So Hawks are stuck with them and have to hope that these players have rebound years. Hopefully, their pride as professionals will have them playing with a chip on their shoulders this year. The kids look good and they are building from the back end, which is the right thing to do. Need more prospects at the forward position. Have to be hopeful

- chuckdahammer

The bolded part is why I stay excited about the Hawks despite the current state they are in. I have guarded optimism for the upcoming season but think the team will be an exciting one again if the baby core and prospect pool develops in an upward fashion as it has been lately. The youth is finally starting to trend in a positive direction again. Agree, that the forward ranks as well as goalie depth need the most work.

Would you consider moving Keith at the TDL for a legit top prospect and a 1st rounder a total rebuild?
- Mr Ricochet

Teams interested in Keith would look at him as somebody who can help put them over the top immediately - like Toronto, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, maybe Vegas or even St.Louis. And their #1 pick just becomes a #27-31 selection in the draft.

I would want at least 2 young who have played extremely well in the AHL in the last 2 seasons. Toronto hadthat depth but because they have let JVR, Komarov and Bozak go they have to fill internally.

But trading one guy, Keith, isn't a total rebuild to me. Its giving up an aging great Dman in order to get younger and acquire talent to shore up other areas of weakness.

I would too, but I doubt Winnipeg does.
- DarthKane

I don't either. WPG is loaded and young in the top 6. Connor, Ehlers, Scheifele, Laine and Roslovic the next in line for the top 6 as well as Wheeler and Little.

A Dcat would be redundant for a loaded Jets franchise. IMO they will look for high picks or very young prospects when they move a key player for cap space.

Development Camp roster

FORWARDS (20)
25 Barratt, Evan L 5’11” 182
67 Bondra, Radovan L 6’5” 222
14 Coughlin, Liam L 6’2” 202
16 Dahlstrom, John L 6’1” 187
84 Fortin, Alexandre L 6’1” 187
76 From, Mathias R 6’1” 161
15 Hakkarainen, Mikael L 6’0” 193
58 Kuffner, Ryan L 6’1” 185
54 Kurashev, Philipp L 5’11” 191
83 Maksimovich, Kyle L 5’9” 174
63 Moynihan, Connor L 6’4” 209
74 Nilsson, Jacob L 5’10” 174
73 Noel, Nathan R 5’10” 179
94 Nordgren, Niklas R 5’9” 169
48 Olofsson, Fredrik L 6’2” 200
85 Ramsey, Jack R 6’3” 191
23 Slavin, Josiah L 6’3” 189
64 Soderlund, Tim L 5’9” 163
59 Starrett, Beau L 6’5” 223
24 Wise, Jake L 5’10” 195

DEFENSEMEN (15)
34 Beaudin, Nicolas L 5’10” 172
26 Boqvist, Adam R 5’11” 165
47 Carlsson, Lucas L 6’0” 187
17 Ess, Joshua L 5’11” 180
42 Galvas, Jakub L 5’11” 162
53 Gilbert, Dennis L 6’1” 195
55 Hillman, Blake L 6’1” 180
28 Jokiharju, Henri R 6’1” 180
36 Krys, Chad L 5’11” 185
44 Laavainen, Roope R 6’1” 194
52 Massie, Jake L 6’1” 177
46 Mitchell, Ian R 5’11” 173
43 Ryczek, Jake R 5’10” 179
6 Shea, Ryan L 6’0” 175
5 Tuulola, Joni L 6’2” 180


GOALTENDERS (6)
70 Gravel, Alexis R 6’2” 222
30 Jones, Peyton L 6’2”
31 Marchand, Chase L 6’0” 180
40 Marshall, Linden L 6’3” 195
92 Peeters, Wouter L 6’4” 220
49 Robson, Mathew L 6’3” 194

BOLD is a Signed Hawks Player/Prospect.

Not to let facts get in the way of your fetish with other dudes' size, but Skinner is 200 lbs. He's also top 20 in terms of high danger shot rate and that's why his xGF is in the top 5% of the league, but sure, he's a perimeter player.

I'd prefer the Hawks to focus on getting a top 4 d-man or a lower line checking center but that's no reason to not look up general easy to find facts about a player just so you can shoehorn him into some narrative.
- L_B_R

Bill Peter's frustration with Skinner was his inconsistency from game to game. He never questioned talent level or how he played the game. He just wanted the kid's best every night.

The 'Canes better be sure of what they are getting back if they pull the trigger on a trade.

Great blog and fun to read all the different stories! I think some years ago I shared a bit of mine, but why not sharing it again

Born in '79 in the most western part of Germany close to the dutch border. So not really much going in the matter of hockey. So I got to know the Hawks by EA's NHL computer game back in '92. Playing against a friend of mine, at first I saw and loved the jersey (also recognized it was the same team on the beanie he had in his shelf) I chose the Hawks and since then my love for the blackhawks took off and got bigger and bigger

Despite playing that game (and every annual version) for millions of hours - Sergei Krivokrasov was a stud in that game btw... - I started searching for every info about the team as well as the whole league, rosters, etc. I tried to catch every information I could. Back then it meant watching game highlights, reading all the stuff on the internet via 56k modem Already startet to read in forums, local newspapers, rumor sites, ordering magazines and year books, etc.

Must have been in '94 when my parents went to Chicago and brought an original JR-jersey (bought at HawkQuarters) as present for me. Totally stoked and I still remember I couldn't even throw that HQ plastic bag away Of course I was totally shocked when I learned that JR got traded...

Then for sure I experienced the 2000s hawks with the ABC line, Mike Smith as GM, Karpovtsev and so on... But in soccer I am a big Schalke 04 supporter so I was already used to tough times with favourite sports teams and I def cannot be called a bandwagon fan

So as obviously everybody here I absolutely enjoyed the times when the hawks got better and better, culminating in 3 Stanley Cup wins. Fortunately internet connections also got better and faster by the time as it made following all the videos and publications way easier So in playoff times I put the alarm at night and watched almost every game (doing so in regular season would have probably killed me being short of sleep...) and went to work right after the end of the games. Still get goosebumps when I think of some games that were so close and almost unreal (eg Hoss scoring vs Preds coming out of the penalty box or Seabs deflected game winner vs Detroit...).

Got a bit mad at myself when I didn't take the opportunity to go to the SCF back in 2010. But at least I decided to do so in 2013. As soon as they beat the Kings I asked my boss to get a week off, bought a standing-room-only ticket for game 5 at the UC, booked my flights and went to Chicago. I stayed in an airbnb room opposite to the UC and had one of the best weeks in my whole life, loving the city, meeting amazing people and of course seeing the game 5 win live at the UC with great guys in the SRO section. Then experiencing the "17 seconds" in a sports bar in Chicago, celebrating the SC in the streets and then getting totally wasted in a bar called "Stout"

Unfortunately I had to leave on the day of the parade, but at least I could see most of it at the airport on TV.

So far I only managed to see only that one game live, but already booked the flights and hopefully No. 2 will be in Notre Dame for the Winter Classic

That's pretty much about it, all started with a computer game and it never stopped

Development Camp roster

FORWARDS (20)
25 Barratt, Evan L 5’11” 182
67 Bondra, Radovan L 6’5” 222
14 Coughlin, Liam L 6’2” 202
16 Dahlstrom, John L 6’1” 187
84 Fortin, Alexandre L 6’1” 187
76 From, Mathias R 6’1” 161
15 Hakkarainen, Mikael L 6’0” 193
58 Kuffner, Ryan L 6’1” 185
54 Kurashev, Philipp L 5’11” 191
83 Maksimovich, Kyle L 5’9” 174
63 Moynihan, Connor L 6’4” 209
74 Nilsson, Jacob L 5’10” 174
73 Noel, Nathan R 5’10” 179
94 Nordgren, Niklas R 5’9” 169
48 Olofsson, Fredrik L 6’2” 200
85 Ramsey, Jack R 6’3” 191
23 Slavin, Josiah L 6’3” 189
64 Soderlund, Tim L 5’9” 163
59 Starrett, Beau L 6’5” 223
24 Wise, Jake L 5’10” 195

DEFENSEMEN (15)
34 Beaudin, Nicolas L 5’10” 172
26 Boqvist, Adam R 5’11” 165
47 Carlsson, Lucas L 6’0” 187
17 Ess, Joshua L 5’11” 180
42 Galvas, Jakub L 5’11” 162
53 Gilbert, Dennis L 6’1” 195
55 Hillman, Blake L 6’1” 180
28 Jokiharju, Henri R 6’1” 180
36 Krys, Chad L 5’11” 185
44 Laavainen, Roope R 6’1” 194
52 Massie, Jake L 6’1” 177
46 Mitchell, Ian R 5’11” 173
43 Ryczek, Jake R 5’10” 179
6 Shea, Ryan L 6’0” 175
5 Tuulola, Joni L 6’2” 180


GOALTENDERS (6)
70 Gravel, Alexis R 6’2” 222
30 Jones, Peyton L 6’2”
31 Marchand, Chase L 6’0” 180
40 Marshall, Linden L 6’3” 195
92 Peeters, Wouter L 6’4” 220
49 Robson, Mathew L 6’3” 194

BOLD is a Signed Hawks Player/Prospect.
- sofaking3

What is the deal with Fortin? Bounce back year from last year? I know he had some injury issues. He was the hot item for a big winger that could skate....haven't even heard his name the last 5-6 months.

Great blog and fun to read all the different stories! I think some years ago I shared a bit of mine, but why not sharing it again

Born in '79 in the most western part of Germany close to the dutch border. So not really much going in the matter of hockey. So I got to know the Hawks by EA's NHL computer game back in '92. Playing against a friend of mine, at first I saw and loved the jersey (also recognized it was the same team on the beanie he had in his shelf) I chose the Hawks and since then my love for the blackhawks took off and got bigger and bigger

Despite playing that game (and every annual version) for millions of hours - Sergei Krivokrasov was a stud in that game btw... - I started searching for every info about the team as well as the whole league, rosters, etc. I tried to catch every information I could. Back then it meant watching game highlights, reading all the stuff on the internet via 56k modem Already startet to read in forums, local newspapers, rumor sites, ordering magazines and year books, etc.

Must have been in '94 when my parents went to Chicago and brought an original JR-jersey (bought at HawkQuarters) as present for me. Totally stoked and I still remember I couldn't even throw that HQ plastic bag away Of course I was totally shocked when I learned that JR got traded...

Then for sure I experienced the 2000s hawks with the ABC line, Mike Smith as GM, Karpovtsev and so on... But in soccer I am a big Schalke 04 supporter so I was already used to tough times with favourite sports teams and I def cannot be called a bandwagon fan

So as obviously everybody here I absolutely enjoyed the times when the hawks got better and better, culminating in 3 Stanley Cup wins. Fortunately internet connections also got better and faster by the time as it made following all the videos and publications way easier So in playoff times I put the alarm at night and watched almost every game (doing so in regular season would have probably killed me being short of sleep...) and went to work right after the end of the games. Still get goosebumps when I think of some games that were so close and almost unreal (eg Hoss scoring vs Preds coming out of the penalty box or Seabs deflected game winner vs Detroit...).

Got a bit mad at myself when I didn't take the opportunity to go to the SCF back in 2010. But at least I decided to do so in 2013. As soon as they beat the Kings I asked my boss to get a week off, bought a standing-room-only ticket for game 5 at the UC, booked my flights and went to Chicago. I stayed in an airbnb room opposite to the UC and had one of the best weeks in my whole life, loving the city, meeting amazing people and of course seeing the game 5 win live at the UC with great guys in the SRO section. Then experiencing the "17 seconds" in a sports bar in Chicago, celebrating the SC in the streets and then getting totally wasted in a bar called "Stout"

Unfortunately I had to leave on the day of the parade, but at least I could see most of it at the airport on TV.

So far I only managed to see only that one game live, but already booked the flights and hopefully No. 2 will be in Notre Dame for the Winter Classic

That's pretty much about it, all started with a computer game and it never stopped
- MDGHawk

Great story MDG! Thanks for sharing.

Not to let facts get in the way of your fetish with other dudes' size, but Skinner is 200 lbs. He's also top 20 in terms of high danger shot rate and that's why his xGF is in the top 5% of the league, but sure, he's a perimeter player.

I'd prefer the Hawks to focus on getting a top 4 d-man or a lower line checking center but that's no reason to not look up general easy to find facts about a player just so you can shoehorn him into some narrative.
- L_B_R

I'd also correct a common mis-perception of Skinner that most have, including myself. The 26 yr old has been durable. Last 5 seasons he's played 82, 79, 82, 77 and 71 games.

As an aside I like my guys built just like Skinner. 5ft 10 in-6ft 200lb guys can get "under" bigger players and win puck and position battles. Simple physics in a leverage competition.

I'd also correct a common mis-perception of Skinner that most have, including myself. The 26 yr old has been durable. Last 5 seasons he's played 82, 79, 82, 77 and 71 games.

As an aside I like my guys built just like Skinner. 5ft 10 in-6ft 200lb guys can get "under" bigger players and win puck and position battles. Simple physics in a leverage competition.
- Mr Ricochet

I think many people are stuck in the mindset of Skinner for like 2001/2012 when he was smaller, didn't care for physicality at all, and missed like 15-20 games for a concussion one of those years. In reality, he's average size hockey player, built pretty stocky; who isn't physical by any means but he uses his size appropriately; he's one of the better takeaway guys in the league (2nd best this past season after McDavid and above Schmaltz); and he's been, as you say, durable. He's a good hockey player.

And I def think some have opinions of players from years previous, both good and bad. It comes up more often for people wanting players that used to be good and are now not more often, though.

PS. I'm not advocating that the Hawks should get him or anything (I wouldn't mind him but he is on a expiring contract), I just couldn't let an inaccuracy about size go when it's been such an obsession here of late.

Teams interested in Keith would look at him as somebody who can help put them over the top immediately - like Toronto, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, maybe Vegas or even St.Louis. And their #1 pick just becomes a #27-31 selection in the draft.

I would want at least 2 young who have played extremely well in the AHL in the last 2 seasons. Toronto hadthat depth but because they have let JVR, Komarov and Bozak go they have to fill internally.

But trading one guy, Keith, isn't a total rebuild to me. Its giving up an aging great Dman in order to get younger and acquire talent to shore up other areas of weakness.
- RickJ

Yes, if moved at the TDL Keith will go to a team that will have a low 1st, assuming they don't have multiple 1st's. That's why they need a legit top prospect as well. The prospect would project as a top 6 and a low 1st rounder a middle 6.

You see it as I thought you would. The Hawks will not do a total rebuild and moving Keith is not one. Keith for a top 6 prospect and projected middle 6 draft pick fits in that it's not a total rebuild but is a reasonable retool with the return of 2 projected NHL players 2 and 3-4 yrs out.

Bill Peter's frustration with Skinner was his inconsistency from game to game. He never questioned talent level or how he played the game. He just wanted the kid's best every night.

The 'Canes better be sure of what they are getting back if they pull the trigger on a trade.
- RickJ

That's a fair complaint I guess, though I personally don't care for Bill Peters as a coach. Skinner has his flaws for sure but being small and shooting only from the perimeter are not some of them.

It is hard to name many things that went right for the Hawks last year, but I don't think a bounce back is out of reach. They might not win the cup, but they can certainly have more things go right. Not saying all the things I'm mentioning will happen.

Goaltending - Obviously if CC able to start his 56-58 games as usual would be huge. He started 27 games last year and the team was 16-9-2 with him playing. Other goalies started 55 games for Chicago and those games the team record was 17-30-8. I think if CC was healthy, the Hawks could have stayed at least in the playoff conversation at least.

Schmaltz/Debrincat/Hinostroza/Hayden/Kampf (the list can go on) - The success of the team will largely be impacted by how much more role these guys can take. Schmaltz really started to play in all situations but that can continue further. It might be the difference in a handful of games.

Saad - He likely bounces back to ~50-55 points he was known for. I think he just struggled to finish. He is 25 and they should be able to get more out of him.

Toews - Contract aside, he is still matching against tough competition and driving possession. He didn't finish on his chances, but most of them were from the areas you want on the ice. I think if he is slotted with a playmaking winger, his production is close to his normal.

The team D needs to be a better effort. They need to get away from the scoring lines that give up just as much as they score and have a top to bottom defensive effort. They don't have the D depth to handle the run and gun track meet stuff like they used to. I recall Q admitting they are going to work on tightening up defensively.

The blueline - Along with the goaltending (without CC) it was the biggest weakness of this team, but one or two guys taking a step forward could help in a big way. I like that the Hawks have a lot of options and aren't banking on one or two guys. It will be fun to watch how it plays out.

Powerplay - they need to make some progress getting this working better. Too much Kane dancing around being chased to the outside and not enough shots through to the net. I really thought it worked better to have Toews/Kane/Gustafsson working the puck in that triangle they did until Toews got hurt. I really think they will go back to Toews down low on the right, Debrincat (guessing) on the left to shoot or slide back door.

The Hawks might blow it next year and injuries could really drag them down if they get the injury bug, but I can wait to see who is gonna make the team and where the surprises will be.

How did I become a Hawks fan? I was a hockey fan from a young age (playing/watching/entered my first playoff pool at age 5) and I really liked the stars for the Hawks back when I was around 10 years old. Guys like Roenick, Larmer, Chelios, Belfour. Add to that the awesome jersey and I quickly developed loyalty to the team as watched (or listened on radio online) or played NHL hockey in the glory days of the EA game series. I followed the team faithfully through the bad years (Chelios as a Red Wing still bothers me) and I try not to miss a game. (hard to do now with 3 young kids)

I've never been to the UC or the city of Chicago, but will always follow the team.