How The Winnipeg Jets Became My Favorite Team (Transfer From Old Site)

Jul 3

Original Post Date: May 16, 2018

I've watched a lot of hockey and followed a lot of different teams growing up. When I was younger, I can't say that I actually had a favorite NHL team, I didn't understand picking one team just yet. If I did have a favorite team, it was my hometown USHL hockey team, the Lincoln Stars.

Liam Theo and his sister when they were younger at the Ice Box arena in Lincoln. Nebraska after a Lincoln Stars win (Hopefully).

As a youngster, I would watch the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings most. These teams were powerhouses at the time, so their games were most commonly available to watch where I lived. I also enjoyed watching them for the goalies, Patrick Roy and Dominik Hašek. Although I didn't have a favorite team, I had a few favorite players in the league, most of which played for the Avalanche—Peter Forsberg, Alex Tanguay, Adam Foote, etc.

Liam Theo edited together this image using images found online of the players. It feature: Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, & Steve Yzerman.

After the big lockout of 2004–2005, I began following baseball a little closer and my team won the World Series in 2006 (St. Louis Cardinals). When the NHL returned, I was drawn to the Blues and kept my sports love in the same city. The Blues quickly became my favorite team and I followed them fairly closely. Excitingly enough, at one point the Blues had 3 players that played junior hockey (USHL) in the state of Nebraska. Paul Stastny played for Omaha Lancers, Jaden Schwartz played for Tri-City Storm, and David Backes played for the Lincoln Stars.

Liam Theo edited this image together featuring 3 St. Louis Blues that played in the state of Nebraska during their junior (USHL) years.

In March of 2018, I took my first trip outside of the United States to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Naturally being a fan of hockey, I wanted to visit the country where the sport originated for some time. On Tuesday, March 20, I went to the Winnipeg Jets game at Bell MTS Place.

I had always liked the Jets, but they weren't my favorite. Probably because they were only a few years into moving to Winnipeg at the time. I think the Jets are pretty quiet and unappreciated to the majority of the NHL, but in Winnipeg, this team is everything! My first day in Winnipeg, I realized pretty quickly that it was difficult to go anywhere and not see a Jets jersey. Then, we went to the game and my mind was blown, there was no longer a doubt that the Jets had the best fans in hockey.

Jets fans participate in a whiteout like none I've ever seen before, this has to make playing in Winnipeg a challenge for any team.

Bell MTS Place is gorgeous and on a Tuesday night, Winnipeg packed the arena. The Jets were playing the Los Angeles Kings. Naturally, we went down to the glass to watch warm-ups and take in the experience as much as possible. We went to the Kings side, however, since a former Lincoln Stars player was on the Kings roster. I just so happened to be wearing a Stars jersey and he noticed. I got a puck from him, but sorry Paul, it wasn't enough to make me a Kings fan. I will always be a Paul LaDue fan though.

Liam Theo found images of Paul LaDue as a Star and as a King.

The crowd was incredible all night long, all the way through the end of regulation and when the game went to overtime, I swear, nobody left. These people had work the next morning, but a late night wasn't going to stop them from watching the conclusion of the game. Kyle Connor scored both goals for the Jets that night.

Liam Theo went to the Los Angeles Kings vs. Winnipeg Jets game on March 20 of 2018. Kyle Connor had both goals in a 2-1 overtime win.

I am so glad that I got the chance to go to Winnipeg and see the Jets play. Thank you, Winnipeg for being such an amazing hockey town and turning me into a life long Jets fan! If there is any town deserving of a Stanley Cup, it's Winnipeg.