Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame
Actually, it isn't. Hamilton fans just haven't been presented with a serious NHL alternative to the Leafs. In fact you'd be finding a relative amount of Buffalo and Detroit fans in Hamilton too.
IronMaiden said it - Hamilton fans would drop the Leafs at a moment's notice.
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I also agree. I lived in the area for quite a while, both Durham region and west of Toronto (Oakville), and I think Hamilton has it's own gravity for sure. It would be kind of like Ottawa where most people rooted for the Leafs or Habs before getting their own team, but were happy to adopt the Sens once they had a chance. I could see Hamilton going the same way.
Durham Region on the other hand, I think mostly falls with Toronto's gravity. Oshawa has a little gravity, but I don't think enough that they identify completely separate from Toronto like Hamilton. Mississauga is fully captured by Toronto's pull, but once you start getting into Burlington and Oakville, Hamilton starts to become more of a pull. And of course, St. Catherines and the Niagara Region are fully captured by Hamilton.
The real wildcard are places like Markkham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Brampton, and further out, London Kitchener. I could see Brampton drawing toward Hamilton for fandom, and maybe London-Kitchener as those cities considered themselves "western" Ontario, but the other areas I think would stay loyal to the Leafs.
Those are the fastest growing areas and would be the battle ground for fan. I could see the Leafs not wanting to lose out on that.