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metal_geek · 05-11-2015, 08:41 AM

This was the best season of hockey I can remember watching in a long time. Lots of great memories but for me it's the same gravy as most of you. I'm already a flames fan and was gonna be next year regardless if they hadn't won a game after christmas. For anyone who lived through the young guns days this season was like a breath of fresh air.

The real winners here are the kids who are pretending to be "Johnny Hockey" on the street. Kids who know who Kris Russell is. 12 year olds who have no idea what they just witnessed but thought "hey, this flames hockey thing is pretty fun". This team with relatable young players like sam bennett who are not that far removed from pee wee give young fans more then just exciting hockey, they give them hope, and a common bond.

There are kids all over now who think you really can win hockey games when when you're losing in the third. A whole generation of fans who believe. Even if the flames miss the playoffs next year, there are young kids who are gonna say, "Next year". Just like all of us have been doing for years. 04 brought in a lot of young fans who are still around now. The lockout soured some of that good will. This team is different, the group is so young there is a continuity with this group that young fans can connect with.

Personally I'm watching this happen with my 11 year old. He's a huge boston fan, has been since watching their cup run. That was his first hockey he was able to stay awake through the second intermission. I've always watched the flames and this season has been no different. What I have noticed different during this season is, him being Calgary on NHL 15, I've noticed him telling me "flames won" on the way out to the school bus. He wrote a public speech on why the flames should make the playoffs. He's developed into a real hockey fan and this flames team has a lot to do with it. I dunno who he's gonna cheer for next season, but I'm pretty sure if it is boston, the NHL 16 bruins are gonna have a lot of flames players on their roster. I'm guessing there are lot of kids out there now in the same boat and thats good news for the next generation. The new milestone is now post 14, not post 04...

05-11-2015, 08:41 AM	#1
metal_geek Scoring Winger Join Date: Jan 2007 Exp:	This season was for the next generation. This was the best season of hockey I can remember watching in a long time. Lots of great memories but for me it's the same gravy as most of you. I'm already a flames fan and was gonna be next year regardless if they hadn't won a game after christmas. For anyone who lived through the young guns days this season was like a breath of fresh air. The real winners here are the kids who are pretending to be "Johnny Hockey" on the street. Kids who know who Kris Russell is. 12 year olds who have no idea what they just witnessed but thought "hey, this flames hockey thing is pretty fun". This team with relatable young players like sam bennett who are not that far removed from pee wee give young fans more then just exciting hockey, they give them hope, and a common bond. There are kids all over now who think you really can win hockey games when when you're losing in the third. A whole generation of fans who believe. Even if the flames miss the playoffs next year, there are young kids who are gonna say, "Next year". Just like all of us have been doing for years. 04 brought in a lot of young fans who are still around now. The lockout soured some of that good will. This team is different, the group is so young there is a continuity with this group that young fans can connect with. Personally I'm watching this happen with my 11 year old. He's a huge boston fan, has been since watching their cup run. That was his first hockey he was able to stay awake through the second intermission. I've always watched the flames and this season has been no different. What I have noticed different during this season is, him being Calgary on NHL 15, I've noticed him telling me "flames won" on the way out to the school bus. He wrote a public speech on why the flames should make the playoffs. He's developed into a real hockey fan and this flames team has a lot to do with it. I dunno who he's gonna cheer for next season, but I'm pretty sure if it is boston, the NHL 16 bruins are gonna have a lot of flames players on their roster. I'm guessing there are lot of kids out there now in the same boat and thats good news for the next generation. The new milestone is now post 14, not post 04...