representative
During an appearance on London radio's “The Hook†with Norman James last Friday, our conversation at one point took an interesting turn toward the notion of player personality, and how it affects fan perception and the manner in which fans relate to the players.
It's an interesting subject – the trichotomy of fan/player/team identity, and not one the majority of fans spend much time pondering. What is it, beyond star power, that draws fans to feel they have formed certain bonds with specific players they have never met? What is it that keeps others at arms' length? Is it the nature of the players themselves, is it our own as fans, or is it perhaps both?
He glided down the ice, not showing any sort of intimidation despite the fact he was a little out of his element. Like a veteran, he flew down the wing and fired a shot that eluded the goaltender. It was his first NHL goal. It was his first NHL game.
He skated through the neutral zone, accepting a stretch pass, only to be met by a member of the opposition, who’s eyes were as big as saucers, knowing he was going to catch him. He was leveled, sent for a trip down dream street. A hit that caused a nasty gash to open up over his eye, blood streamed out of his nose. It was his 425th NHL game.
All 425, as a member of his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly was on HockeyCentral At Noon today, and among other topics he briefly discussed the possibility of a second NHL team coming to Toronto.
When asked why Toronto has not been seriously considered to date as a home for another franchise, despite the enormous fan base and subsequent opportunity to succeed financially, Kelly suggested that MLSE was not the source of resistance.
