Quote:
Originally Posted by Buff
Not here in Lethbridge.
Back in the early 80s the teams who made the Memorial Cup could add a goalie on loan from another team in their league. The Lethbridge Broncos and the Portland Winter Hawks both asked Mike Vernon to join them. He chose Portland. Mike Vernon was henceforth hated in Lethbridge and that hatred extended to the Calgary Flames when he played for them.
When I moved to Lethbridge in the mid 80s I had heard by a few people that they couldn't cheer for a team who had that traitor Mike Vernon on it. Not sure how he can be called a traitor when he was never a part of the Lethbridge team but... okay.
So, combine the hatred for Vernon and the Oilers winning cups in the mid 80's Lethbridge and surrounding communities hate the Flames. Let me tell you, what a rude awakening it was for 11 year old me to move from Calgary to Lethbridge and to be bullied for being a Flames fan. Grade 6 was the worst year of my schooling. My hatred of the Oilers went from fun rivalry hatred to one deeply rooted from that very rough year. I genuinely hate the Oilers. Hate isn't strong enough of a word to use.
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Damn, I had no idea about the Lethbridge situation- I wrongly assumed southern alberta = flames country. I salute you, sir, for your dedication to hating the Oilers for many years in enemy territory!