Don't Sit in the X-Rated Section

Share your earliest hockey memory and why you stuck with the boys. I mean, game.

Unlike most all other hockey fans, my hockey memories don't start until middle/high school. I was introduced to the Hull and Oates line, but that was short-lived. I remained a number one Brett Hull fan, though. His choice to play for Team USA, feuds with Keenan, candid quotes whenever anyone was listening, presence in the city of St. Louis, 86-goal season, crooked honker, the fact we share the same birthday, etc. made me love him. Then came Brendan Shanahan. My next favorite. My heart broke the day Keenan shipped Shanny to Hartford.

And even though I will damn Keenan forever for trading him, we did get a 6'6" lanky D guy who turned out to be pretty good.

The first game I attended was at the Miami Arena. The Panthers played the Quebec Nordiques. I was in the nosebleeds with a friend of mine. I had never been to a professional game other than baseball. Obviously, it was quite a change from baseball fans and a huge stadium atmosphere. The quaintness of a hockey arena is so much more inviting. You feel like it's a special party and you were lucky enough to join.

I was absolutely enthralled the entire game. Considering it was the Panthers inaugural year, there wasn't too much energy (nor too many people) in the joint. Although the game itself was exciting, the highlight of this experience was the two chicks with Nordique jerseys on a few rows in front of us. The Nordiques score and they jump up screaming like crazy. The fat, drunk guy a few rows over yells at them to shut up and sit down. They proceed to tell him to F-off and he proceeds to moon the entire section (of course aiming at the chicks). As entertaining as that may have been, the whole experience sparked something in me. From that day on, I loved no sport more than hockey.