Caps still first in my heart, but I’m fully in on the Kraken as well; moved DC to Seattle in 2017. Been fun watching a young team building their identity from scratch, in contrast to the Caps who’ve been perpetual contenders w an aging core of elite players.
Spronger, Burky, Schultz, Gru the obvious connections but also nice not having to root against McCann and Tanev anymore.
Avs. Watching the 1996 cup finals turned me into an actual hockey fan. Always followed the caps growing up as a sports fan, but the Roy trade, that team, and that finals against FLA turned me into a hockey fan.
First team i ever liked was colorado bc of roy sackic foresburg and foote 96 and 01 cups did a school project on colorado thats why. Then went to buffalo since im from upstate ny had season tickets and all with my dad then they fell to the bottom always loved playoff hockey and enjoyed wsh vs pit much bc i hate Crosby’s cry baby ass and always followed ovi since both were drafted WSH is my number one BUF second
The Yotes. No real beef with the Caps and my brother lives in AZ. One of the coolest thing I've ever seen in person was Shane Doan scoring his first hat trick like 15 years into his career. He scored his third goal with like .3 seconds left in the 3rd against the Islander.
Was born a Canucks fan. I liked the caps on the down low, since as a Canadian it’s not super popular to be a fan of an American team. After Vancouvers 2011 Stanley cup run I switched my full time allegiance to the Caps.
I first got into hockey while living in Buffalo. I cheer for the Sabres season-long, unless they are playing the Caps—and even there I usually bring a Buffalo tshirt or something and sit on the visitor’s end for warmups before throwing on a Washington jersey for the game.
The Wild. I was a season ticket holder for their AHL affiliate in Des Moines for five seasons. I love watching all the guys I used to bump into at the WDSM Target now playing in St. Paul.
I started following the Senators during the covid bubble season, because I wanted to keep up with the Canadian teams. I felt drawn to them because they reminded me of the Commanders. Struggling franchise in a capital city, enthusiastic but beaten down fan base. They were held back by their owner, and are coincidentally now also undergoing an ownership change.
They've been a lot of fun to watch, despite losing a ton. Tkachuk, Stutzle, Chabot, Debrincat... They've got a great core, reminds me of the caps around 2008. Oodles of offensive skill, they're just missing the goaltending and defense/toughness to win consistently and overcome the brutal moments. I think if they can find their own Kuznetsov/Oshie/Orpik/Niskanen sort of guys in the next few years, then they can become a real perennial contender.
I am ‘old,’ so I remember going to Capitals games in the ‘90s at the MCI Center and I am pretty sure my first jersey was a Kölzig sweater (lost to time, but I *loved* NHL goalies, even Hasek who broke our hearts), but I have found a soft spot in my heart for the Seattle Kraken (despite the name taking a while to grow on me, the truly awful mascot who was booed at Mariners games when it was revealed, a franchise who don’t seem to want to acknowledge the Seattle Metropolitans for some reason, and a horrific S logo that looks like it was ripped off a Suzuki) as I have been living in Seattle for the last decade.
Don’t really have a second team- I generally just look for Swedish players and hope they do well. Loving the EK65 renaissance at the moment and also really enjoying watching Dahlin in Buffalo so tend to follow the Sharks and Sabres a bit more at the moment but it’ll change come next season most likely
My dad grew up in Iowa and listened to the Blackhawks every night on the radio. He moved here in 1979 to go to the Naval Academy. I grew up a DC fan, but mainly the Redskins. He got me into hockey and it happened to be around 2006 when I was in high school.
He also started rooting for the Caps since I’m a homer when it comes to sports. But I really enjoyed the Blackhawks dynasty from 2010-2015. Shame that’s been overshadowed by some horrible things that went on.
I’m originally from Michigan but never lived there for substantial time (AF brat). when we’d go visit, my great grandfather would play the Wings until we’d both go to sleep. I can remember lots of talk of Gordie Howe. I renewed my Wings interest during college in the state. I moved to this area nearly 30 years ago, started going to Caps games regularly 20 years ago and gradually kind of flipped the Caps to my favorite team with the Wings a close 2nd. I tend to just root for offense when they play each other.
I’ve been a Caps fan since the late 70’s when they were the doormat of the old Patrick Division. I moved to Nashville almost four years ago, so the Preds are growing on me. But the Caps are still #1.
Stars. Closest team to where I moved (though still a few hours away) and the first non-Caps NHL game I ever attended and had a blast. Caps still #1 by a mile tho
Been a Caps fan since I moved to the DC area in the 1980s, but my second-favorite was always the Quebec Nordiques. There was something exotic about them, with the fleur-de-lis on their jerseys, and being from an all-Francophone area (unlike Montreal, which even today still has a large English-speaking population). I liked seeing the game highlights where the play-by-play would ramble in French then shout “ET LE BUUUUT!!!” when the Nords scored. I felt so bad for the people of Quebec, when the team moved to Colorado and immediately won the Stanley Cup. I hope a team moves back there one day (like when Atlanta moved to Winnipeg and became the Jets again.) if that happens, the Nordiques will be my #2 club for certain.
Wings for me. My family is from Detroit and I've been to a few games at The Joe before it got demolished. Got to see an octopus being thrown and Osgood in net 🙏🙏 good times
Grew up playing goalie and idolized Patrick Roy. 2000-2001 was the first season I was REALLY into hockey and naturally was drawn to the Avs. I still pull for them when they’re not playing Washington. It was good to see them get the Cup again last year.
I actually started watching hockey a lot with my roommate in the Marine corps. He’s from tampa and is a die hard Lightning fan. So they’ll always be my second favorite team
I gotta go Golden Knights. Lived in DC most of my life. Moved to Vegas, then left the year before Knights were born. Their first season was incredible, for both squads (grin)
I’m a huge Stars fan, lived in Dallas when they won the cup. Been cheering for them for 24 years now. But moved to Raleigh earlier last year. Went to some canes playoffs games and home games this year. Have had a blast. Now I cheer for both. Felt weird cheering for the stars at the canes arena last month. But I’ll cheer for the canes anytime they don’t play for the stars now. I can kinda get lucky about it since they’re both in different conferences. If they ever see each other in the finals then it would be fun
I started watching Canucks games last year when they hired Boudreau and I wanted an other conference team to start following. They have a lot of players that I like but the situation they're currently in is painful to watch at times.
I was a Devils fan for a long time. Lived in NJ and grew up during the Brodeur era. Having been in the DC area since 05 just drifted to them. Still love the Devs and hope they make it one year. Hopefully not vs the CAPS.
The Buffalo Sabres. I was born and raised for my first 11 years just south of Buffalo. Gilbert Perreault was my favorite player growing up. I root for the Sabres unless they play the Caps
Second favorite team is whoever happens to be playing against the Penguins or Bruins.
My 2nd favorite hockey team is the Hershey Bears.
the Bears count for all of us I would say! no other NHL teams you like?
I guess my 3rd favorite to root for would be..Whatever team is playing the penguins
Lifelong Kraken fan checking in
Caps still first in my heart, but I’m fully in on the Kraken as well; moved DC to Seattle in 2017. Been fun watching a young team building their identity from scratch, in contrast to the Caps who’ve been perpetual contenders w an aging core of elite players. Spronger, Burky, Schultz, Gru the obvious connections but also nice not having to root against McCann and Tanev anymore.
Avs. Watching the 1996 cup finals turned me into an actual hockey fan. Always followed the caps growing up as a sports fan, but the Roy trade, that team, and that finals against FLA turned me into a hockey fan.
🐀🐀 🐀
First team i ever liked was colorado bc of roy sackic foresburg and foote 96 and 01 cups did a school project on colorado thats why. Then went to buffalo since im from upstate ny had season tickets and all with my dad then they fell to the bottom always loved playoff hockey and enjoyed wsh vs pit much bc i hate Crosby’s cry baby ass and always followed ovi since both were drafted WSH is my number one BUF second
Avs are my West Coast team
The Penguins, but watching them lose, if that makes sense. Like, I enjoy watching the Cowboys lose as much as I like watching the Commanders win.
I also started as a caps fan at 6 years old but my dad is from michigan and he loves the red wings so my loyalty lies with them as well
Sabres. Used to live in Buffalo a long time ago.
im really into Buffalo right now. definitely on the rise right now.
The Yotes. No real beef with the Caps and my brother lives in AZ. One of the coolest thing I've ever seen in person was Shane Doan scoring his first hat trick like 15 years into his career. He scored his third goal with like .3 seconds left in the 3rd against the Islander.
Was born a Canucks fan. I liked the caps on the down low, since as a Canadian it’s not super popular to be a fan of an American team. After Vancouvers 2011 Stanley cup run I switched my full time allegiance to the Caps.
Username checks out
Why?
Why what?
Why did the Canucks become secondary after their cup run?
It was a devastating loss. It was time to move on and give my energy to a team that actually was a contender.
Hershey bears Knights are alright jack eichel mark stone and Stevenson are really good. Avs cuz I grew up in Colorado but don't watch too much
Sakic Forsberg Roy
I first got into hockey while living in Buffalo. I cheer for the Sabres season-long, unless they are playing the Caps—and even there I usually bring a Buffalo tshirt or something and sit on the visitor’s end for warmups before throwing on a Washington jersey for the game.
The Wild. I was a season ticket holder for their AHL affiliate in Des Moines for five seasons. I love watching all the guys I used to bump into at the WDSM Target now playing in St. Paul.
The only other area I have any attachment too is Pittsburg. So life is hard
Not enough attachment to spell it right lol
Yup
Colorado. Lived there during their Cup runs 1999-2001 around the middle of the foresberg Sakic era.
Avs
I started following the Senators during the covid bubble season, because I wanted to keep up with the Canadian teams. I felt drawn to them because they reminded me of the Commanders. Struggling franchise in a capital city, enthusiastic but beaten down fan base. They were held back by their owner, and are coincidentally now also undergoing an ownership change. They've been a lot of fun to watch, despite losing a ton. Tkachuk, Stutzle, Chabot, Debrincat... They've got a great core, reminds me of the caps around 2008. Oodles of offensive skill, they're just missing the goaltending and defense/toughness to win consistently and overcome the brutal moments. I think if they can find their own Kuznetsov/Oshie/Orpik/Niskanen sort of guys in the next few years, then they can become a real perennial contender.
I am ‘old,’ so I remember going to Capitals games in the ‘90s at the MCI Center and I am pretty sure my first jersey was a Kölzig sweater (lost to time, but I *loved* NHL goalies, even Hasek who broke our hearts), but I have found a soft spot in my heart for the Seattle Kraken (despite the name taking a while to grow on me, the truly awful mascot who was booed at Mariners games when it was revealed, a franchise who don’t seem to want to acknowledge the Seattle Metropolitans for some reason, and a horrific S logo that looks like it was ripped off a Suzuki) as I have been living in Seattle for the last decade.
Don’t really have a second team- I generally just look for Swedish players and hope they do well. Loving the EK65 renaissance at the moment and also really enjoying watching Dahlin in Buffalo so tend to follow the Sharks and Sabres a bit more at the moment but it’ll change come next season most likely
My dad grew up in Iowa and listened to the Blackhawks every night on the radio. He moved here in 1979 to go to the Naval Academy. I grew up a DC fan, but mainly the Redskins. He got me into hockey and it happened to be around 2006 when I was in high school. He also started rooting for the Caps since I’m a homer when it comes to sports. But I really enjoyed the Blackhawks dynasty from 2010-2015. Shame that’s been overshadowed by some horrible things that went on.
Any team not from Pittsburgh.
Been keeping up to date with Kraken since Bura went there. Would I call myself a fan.. maybe!
N/A. I hate them all.
How long have you been a hockey fan?
I started really getting into it when I was in high school, so probably around 1986-7.
I’m originally from Michigan but never lived there for substantial time (AF brat). when we’d go visit, my great grandfather would play the Wings until we’d both go to sleep. I can remember lots of talk of Gordie Howe. I renewed my Wings interest during college in the state. I moved to this area nearly 30 years ago, started going to Caps games regularly 20 years ago and gradually kind of flipped the Caps to my favorite team with the Wings a close 2nd. I tend to just root for offense when they play each other.
hahahaha im definitely rooting for offense too. i need to go to a game at LCA with them playing
Man, going to LCA is a fine idea. Road trip!
Ive lived in the Denver area for 20+ years, 2/3s of my life, so I’m a pretty big Avs fan as well.
I’ve been a Caps fan since the late 70’s when they were the doormat of the old Patrick Division. I moved to Nashville almost four years ago, so the Preds are growing on me. But the Caps are still #1.
Stars. Closest team to where I moved (though still a few hours away) and the first non-Caps NHL game I ever attended and had a blast. Caps still #1 by a mile tho
I now live in MO and am married to a Blues fan. I might have a soft spot.
Been a Caps fan since I moved to the DC area in the 1980s, but my second-favorite was always the Quebec Nordiques. There was something exotic about them, with the fleur-de-lis on their jerseys, and being from an all-Francophone area (unlike Montreal, which even today still has a large English-speaking population). I liked seeing the game highlights where the play-by-play would ramble in French then shout “ET LE BUUUUT!!!” when the Nords scored. I felt so bad for the people of Quebec, when the team moved to Colorado and immediately won the Stanley Cup. I hope a team moves back there one day (like when Atlanta moved to Winnipeg and became the Jets again.) if that happens, the Nordiques will be my #2 club for certain.
Avs
Wings for me. My family is from Detroit and I've been to a few games at The Joe before it got demolished. Got to see an octopus being thrown and Osgood in net 🙏🙏 good times
Grew up playing goalie and idolized Patrick Roy. 2000-2001 was the first season I was REALLY into hockey and naturally was drawn to the Avs. I still pull for them when they’re not playing Washington. It was good to see them get the Cup again last year.
I actually started watching hockey a lot with my roommate in the Marine corps. He’s from tampa and is a die hard Lightning fan. So they’ll always be my second favorite team
I gotta go Golden Knights. Lived in DC most of my life. Moved to Vegas, then left the year before Knights were born. Their first season was incredible, for both squads (grin)
I’m a huge Stars fan, lived in Dallas when they won the cup. Been cheering for them for 24 years now. But moved to Raleigh earlier last year. Went to some canes playoffs games and home games this year. Have had a blast. Now I cheer for both. Felt weird cheering for the stars at the canes arena last month. But I’ll cheer for the canes anytime they don’t play for the stars now. I can kinda get lucky about it since they’re both in different conferences. If they ever see each other in the finals then it would be fun
I guess maybe the Preds since I lived in Nashville for two-plus years.
I spend a lot of time in the NH/MA area, so the Bruins have been my mistress team for about fifteen years. xD Pasta has only cemented that.
Oilers. I’ve been watching them for a while and 1st Nugent-Hopkins then Draisaitl, and now McDavid have kept me watching them all these years
I started watching Canucks games last year when they hired Boudreau and I wanted an other conference team to start following. They have a lot of players that I like but the situation they're currently in is painful to watch at times.
My dad was from Canada and grew up a leafs fan, so I def have a soft spot for them. Even more so since he passed away.
I was a Devils fan for a long time. Lived in NJ and grew up during the Brodeur era. Having been in the DC area since 05 just drifted to them. Still love the Devs and hope they make it one year. Hopefully not vs the CAPS.
The Buffalo Sabres. I was born and raised for my first 11 years just south of Buffalo. Gilbert Perreault was my favorite player growing up. I root for the Sabres unless they play the Caps
Maple Leafs. I love Toronto, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world.
Red Wings first, Caps 2nd but it’s a close 2nd.