Lelystad, The Netherlands
Born in Amsterdam. No strings to Canada, Calgary or hockey.
Became a Flames fan in May of 1994.
Some friends where playing NHL 94 on the Sega. The only team I really knew where the New York Rangers. As that team was taken already I chose the Philadelphia Flyers as my team. My first game was against the Flames (Because I knew Calgary from the 1988 Olympics) and I lost 5-1 or something. Joe Nieuwendyk scored some goals for the Flames.
Because his name sounded Dutch, and he had the same initial as me I eventually chose the Flames to be my team.
Mid 90’s there was almost no way I could follow the team.
We had CNN who showed 40 second highlights of the NHL. Every day I was hoping to see something of ‘my’ Flames.
Through CNN teletext (don’t know if that’s a term used in English?) I could keep up with the Flames.
I remember I had to cry when I read Fleury was traded to the Avs
In the early ‘00’s I got internet. It got easier to follow the team. I also managed to buy my first Flames jersey.
Still, I had not seen a complete Flames game by then.
I started listening to Flames games in the middle of the night more often.
Peter Maher was a wizard. He made me feel like I was part of the Saddledome crowd.
Listened to every game of the 2004 playoff run.
It’s hard to be a fan of something that is so far away. No one to share your passion with. No one that understands your passion.
I remember running and jumping around with a chair above my head when the final seconds of game 6 against San Jose ticked away
(it goes down the ice... just to the empty net... they score! You can put it in the win column! the Flames are Western Conference champions! Yeahhhh Babyyyy!)
The Flames where (and still are) a part of my daily life. In 2005 I had the flaming C tattooed on my wrist. Since then I had to explain what the flaming C meant. I don’t mind. I tell my story with pride.
The last 6 years I have a colleague at work who shares my passion. He’s a NBA LA Clippers fan for over 20 years. He went through the same hard times as I did. We understand each other and we enjoy every moment we talk about our passion and no one understands why.
In 2006 my wife gave birth to our first son. We named him Dean Miikka (named after Kiprusoff ofcourse) and just recently we had our second son. Mason Brodie. Not named after Mason Raymond and a bit named after TJ
We wanted to visit Calgary in 2012. I knew the end of the Iginla/Kiprusoff era was nearing and I really wanted to see those guys play. Unfotunately the lockout ended that dream.
Eventually we went in October of 2013. We got to see the games vs. Washington (win) Toronto (loss) and Detroit (loss)
A real bonus for us was to be part of the first Flames fest. It was cool to meet the players.
Both my wife and son also enjoyed the trip. Canadians/Calgarians are very friendly and helpful people. We will definitely visit Calgary again (Maybe if there’s a new arena?)
Maybe sooner… If we go to the Stanley Cup finals again, I’m on the first plane to Calgary!
Coincidence made me make one of the best choices of my life... I wouldn't trade the last 21 years for a millions Euro's.
Go Flames Go!