Keep On Dreaming Even If it Breaks Your Heart

Do you know what it feels like to win? Do you know what it feels like to win after a near flawless battle? The Blue Jackets felt this last week, winning two in a row against Colorado and Phoenix, both on opposing ices. Thus far, March has proven to be our month. I don't know what's changed, but I love it. I see heart resurfacing. This year has been an up and down roller coaster ride, but I could never imagine cheering for another team. When I see my players smiling on the bench, smiling during post-game interviews, it makes the pain worth it. I'm in too deep with this team to give up. Some dreams stay with you forever, drag you around then bring you back to where you were. Some dreams keep on getting better, so we've got to believe if we want to know for sure.

Rick Nash said he did not know what kind of fan reaction to expect; we still cheered. He said we are classy, loyal, and patient fans. That is why I love him being our captain, why I'm going to hate seeing him go to another team. In all honesty, I don't think he will be as appreciated as he was, and will be, in Columbus. I'm so thankful for having the chance to have met him. It's something I'll never forget. Rick is not only an amazing hockey player, but an amazing person. No matter what, Columbus will be at a loss after he leaves.

If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we will fall. Those men need to play the game for more than they can afford to lose, even when it seems we have nothing to left to lose. As William Shakespeare once said, "our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt". Having nothing, there is nothing we can lose. That's why it's up to our players to have the will to continue proudly, regardless of the record. Columbus has so much to prove, and so much ability to do so. Most people don't believe it, and sometimes, it seems our own players don't believe it. If we make our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work toward that goal, we never lose - no matter the outcome. The same goes for this game we call hockey. If we are to lose, we should lose gracefully...not after giving up in the final period. Sometimes life hits you in head with a frozen puck. Don't lose faith. The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to that task at hand. We are still a team.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Team Image

When we think of hockey teams like Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago, our minds create a flurry of images of Stanley Cup wins and near flawless records. Legendary players and arenas. Being fans of these teams give people a certain respect from the hockey world.

On the other hand, the Columbus Blue Jackets aren't as respected in the National Hockey League. People could say that we fans have bad taste in hockey teams. The Blue Jackets, a twelve year-old team, don't have much to show for. Most of the time, this season included, we have not qualified for the playoffs. The one time we did, we lost 0-4 in the quarterfinals against the Red Wings. Who is a fan of that? Those out of our fan base think of two things when it comes it the Blue Jackets: Rick Nash and the cannon. By no means are those two things bad. Hell, who else fires a cannon after a goal is scored? Let's see. No one.

The thing about me, when it comes to favorite sports teams, is that I choose my favorite teams based on proximity and my home state, Ohio; not based on records or just being a flat-out bandwagoner. When it comes to hockey, as much as I try to become a fan of another team, it's impossible for me. I just go right back to the boys in union blue. Am I ashamed to be a Blue Jackets fan right now? Absolutely not. Nor will I ever be. Am I disappointed? Sure. I expected better, but does that mean I give up? No. That logo has become a part of me. It is plastered all around me -- on my walls and in my closet. Call me crazy, but I've contemplated getting a tattoo of it. Hockey may in fact be just a game, but it's also who I am.

This all begs the question: what assumptions does it create when someone sees you are a Blue Jackets fan? At this point, I really don't care what people think of me, so I don't let anything affect me, but I still wonder. Most people just laugh or talk about how much Columbus, as a team and city, sucks. All in all though, all they see is a record. They haven't developed a relationship with the team like we have. Did I mention we have one of the best, most beautiful arenas in the entire league? Nothing but the truth right there, and I'm proud to call that my team's arena. Not only am I proud of that, I am proud to wear that logo. I'm not afraid to tell people I'm a Columbus fan.

At one point, something has to give. When that time comes, people better be looking out. We're going to take this league by a storm. It's only a matter of time. If you take one thing from this post, it's that you shouldn't be afraid - or ashamed - to wear that logo. This is our team. We can't be afraid to fall, because we'll make it. The name on the back IS important, but so is the name on the front.

Remember where you came from, where you're going, and why you created this mess you got yourself into in the first place.

— Richard Bach

What Does It Mean to Be A Fan?

Since the very beginning of this season, Blue Jackets fans, and the franchise alike, have had it the worst out of the entire league. While some could argue this is just an opinion, I say it is a fact. Blame who you want for the bad record, bad trades, negative media, etc., but to me, not one person can be blamed. The only group of people who I can say should not be blamed are the fans. For those of you have stuck it out the Blue Jackets, through the ups and downs, successes and failures, I applaud you. I miss the thought of playoff potential for this team. I thought this could be our year. However, as we all know, this season has proved to the worst in franchise history.

With that in hindsight, what does it mean to be a fan? This question has multiple answers, and I'm sure everyone could come up with something different. For me, being a fan is cheering for your favorite players on the team, but most of importantly, cheering for and supporting the team as a whole. It is clear that Rick Nash has been the talk of the team. I love the man as a person and athlete, and will always have respect for him. Turning around and hating Nash because he wanted out is ridiculous. Wouldn't you want out? Think about all he has given to this team, all the time he's given us. He's dedicated his entire NHL career to Columbus. All good things must come to an end, and the same goes for Nash. Even though he did not get traded at the deadline, it is inevitable that he will be leaving...eventually. The reality is hard to face.

Aside from Nash specifically, I hope everyone knows that we, as fans, are ultimately one of the major supporting backbones for this team. Without us, what would be the point? We need to extract as much of the negative as we can, and inject some positive. And, although we have no say in what happens with the franchise directly, you can rest assured our feelings are known, whether or not management acts upon it. We can't lose faith. Without faith, especially at this point, we have nothing. If we love this team as much as everyone acts like they do, we will bare with this team for 20 more games. I don't want to become the Atlanta Thrashers. Making bad comments about our franchise is not helping the cause.

Many of us have become numb to loses, as I'm sure the players have too. This far into the season, and in this deep of a pit, I still get ecstatic when we pull off a win. Despite the stats, we are not necessarily a bad team. All of the men on this team would not be here if they did not have something to offer. Something is not clicking, and I, like you (and the rest of the hockey world), don't know what it is. At this point, I think it's the mental stress depleting our team.

Being a fan really IS difficult. We watch these people play the sport we are most passionate about. We invite these people into our homes as we watch them on television. We wear their names on our backs. We cheer and applaud people most of us do not even know personally. When they smile, we smile; when they are upset, we are too. Whether you choose to believe it or not, we become emotionally attached.

If you ask me how or why I'm still such a passionate and loyal fan, I could not give you a definite answer. It's all in the heart. In the past, this team has brought me so much joy, and to let one season like this throw it all away, well, it doesn't feel right. When they're weak, we have to be strong. When they let go, we have to hold on.

I'm going to love this team through it all. The road has not ended. Remember why you became a fan. And always, remember to carry the flag.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

— Thomas Edison