If there is one thing that I hate, it is when someone claims that they are a true hockey fan, but really aren’t. 

A person who cheers only when their team scores is not a true hockey fan.  A Penguins fan who only respects a goal that Crosby scores is not a hockey fan—he’s a Penguins fan.

A Capitals fan who says that any hit against Ovechkin is a dirty hit is not a hockey fan—he’s a Capitals fan.

And so, in spite of all this, I decided to make a list of how you know whether or not you are a true hockey fan, or just a bandwagon fan who wants a championship in his city.

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the Flyers win the Stanley Cup.  But I also respect any team that does, and will cheer them on during that victory lap with the Holy Grail.

Only a true hockey fan will pay ridiculous amounts of money, equal to a week’s pay, simply to take his son or daughter to their first game.

Only a true hockey fan will cheer at a beautiful goal scored, even if it is scored against his home team.

Only a true hockey fan will accept the fact that his team lost to a better team.

Only a true hockey fan will look at the replay of his own team, and say, “Oh yeah, he did deserve that penalty.”

Only a true hockey fan will accept the fact that Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby can tear the crap out of their team regularly.

Only a true hockey fan will sit down after a loss, and not make excuses, such as “the refs threw that game,” or “Crosby was diving.”

Only a true hockey fan realizes that no matter how many regular-season points you have, if you are beaten in a seven-game playoff series, you are not the best team in the league.

Only a true hockey fan will give props to a team that beat them in the playoffs, because only the best team wins the Stanley Cup.  I’m looking at you, Pittsburgh fans.

Only a true hockey fan realizes that any hockey game is worth watching—whether NHL, International, Junior, Minor league, or bantam.

Only a true hockey fan will have memorabilia of any good hockey player, and not just that of his home team.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?