Thanks for clarifying, I do understand it is personal for you. I am almost 34 years old, I have watched the game since I was a tiny tot, but became a serious fan over 20 years ago. It is always interesting to see what others feel/think/believe about the game as a while regardless who they cheer on.

As in any sport- may the best team win, thankfully for every fan, it can be a new team every year. Best wishes!!

From the first time I saw the Red Wings as a child, I’ve just flat never liked them, and that non-specific dislike/hatred has been inflamed over the years by various things.

For example, when Derian Hatcher (who I think is a cheap thug and who I have gleefully loathed for years because he’s a cheap thug) was on the team, that inflamed the hatred. Whenever I’ve had to deal with some of the more class-free members of the fanbase at the RBC Center, that’s inflamed the hatred. Seeing Chris Chelios show poor sportsmanship by refusing to shake hands at the end of various playoff series has inflamed it. Kirk Maltby gunning one of my favourite players (Marek Zidlicky) from behind and injuring him in the first round of the ‘04 playoffs has inflamed it. And so on.

2002 inflamed it also, but winning a Cup of our own helped soothe that a bit. Doesn’t mean I don’t hunger for vengeance, of course–but it went a long way toward dulling the pain.

As for the “Focus of Evil” thing–don’t take it too seriously.

As a Red Wing’s fan, I can honestly say that I am true and loyal to my team as I would expect you are to yours, but I don’t go hating other teams for no reason. I just wonder what your reasons are since you make it clear you do hate them, but not clear why.

Are there things you are privy to that the rest of us are not? What makes them deserving of hate? I guess that is my question.

I know personally there are some teams out there in the league I find less desirable because of their players tactics on the ice or what not.

Hopefully that makes sense. No disrespected intended by any of my comments, I still appreciate the good post you made, just wanted to see if you could clear it up so that maybe other readers didn’t misinterpret your hate as anything else.

Am I jealous? Not at all–that implies that I begrudge them their successes, which to me is disrespectful…and though some Wings fans may gleefully disrespect me or my team in order to show off their own personal feelings of inadequacy, or accuse me of being jealous or of simply being bitter over 2002 in some kind of pitiful attempt to puff up their own egos, I try *not* to let it keep me from showing the Wings the respect that they’ve earned.

Do I think that Ken Holland is a bad GM? Of course not. Do I hate him personally? Of course not. Same with Mike Ilitch. I really don’t give a tinker’s damn about his rivalry with the owner of my team anyway–I cheer for (or hate) the team, not the person whose name is on the ownership papers.

Hope that explains it.

There isn’t many team owners that take excellent care of their players, or go above and beyond the norm for their players and families. For instance- Mike Illitch spent the money to fly all the players wives and children out to Pittsburgh so that if they won, they could celebrate with their families. Most owners would never do that.

Here is an informative article- http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-elliott27-2008may27,1,3592931.column

I think Ken Holland does what it takes to build a great team- he does exactly what he is paid to do, and most all other managers could learn from that. Just like you go to work and get paid to do your job and do it well, how is what Ken does any different?

McCarty’s name on the Cup again, it’s a good thing!

Sincerely,
borderline rascist, fuckhead dougie the Wings fan.

And go D-MAC, eh what what!!