Mike Richards Will Always Be My Captain

I haven’t updated this hockey blog in well over a year. Real life is hectic, and interests can change. It got to be too much, juggling a few different blogs, original writing, and work. But my love for hockey, particularly Flyers hockey, did not wane.  Not in the slightest.

Flyers hockey has always been a part of my life. I’m a third generation fan. My dad grew up watching the Flyers, he even went to the Cup parades with his dad. That is something I hope I can share with my old man one day. There’s no doubt the Flyers will raise the Cup once more, but I always thought they’d do so with Mike Richards leading the charge.

Yesterday, in a “blockbuster” move, the Flyers traded their Captain. My Captain. And if ever there was a time for me to dust off this blog, it’s now. But it will be just this once. I’ve decided to end this blog. Irrational, especially after yesterday, perhaps. But it’s more than that. Deep down, past the grief and confusion and betrayal, I still love the Flyers. But they aren’t my team anymore. They are, my home team. My #1. But the team that I’ve fallen in love with over the past five years is no more. The team that got us within 2 wins of the Stanley Cup last year is practically non-existent.

I still love Kimmo and Danny, Matty Carle and Bob. I’m excited for Bryz, and I’m sure once I’m less crazy with the side effects of a broken hockey heart, I will learn to love Simmonds and Schenn and Voracek. But right now, my favorite player of all time is a Flyer no more, and it hurts.

As I said, hockey has always been a part of my life. I remember watching games with my dad when I was little. We had an airhorn that sounded every time we scored. Every time Hexie made an awesome save. I fell in and out of hockey obsession over the years. Always taking in a game here and there, attending them in person every so often. The love was there, was buried beneath the hustle and bustle of every day life, school, being a teenager, a college student. But then after the lockout, I was back in it. Full force. I converted a Toronto native into a Flyers fan. And then a couple of years later did the same thing with a southern Christian.

I remember being traumatized for Randy Jones when he accidentally took out Patrice Bergeron. Giggling over Joffrey Lupul and Richie being bffs. Loving the way Scottie Upshall played with his heart on his sleeve. The way Noobs was like a big brother to Jeff Carter. I remember standing in my living room, screaming and crying and hugging my dad and brother when Lupes scored the OT game and series winning goal against the Caps. I was by myself, in my apartment when Boosh stopped that SO attempt from Jokinen. But that didn’t stop me from screaming and cheering and flailing around like an idiot. The comeback in Boston was the most epic sports-related phenomenon that I have ever and probably will ever witness in my life. Simon Gagne love forever. Lava jumping on the bench. The orange and the black pouring onto the ice, hugging and ecstatic as the B’s fans looked on in stunned disbelief.

And then there was The Shift from Mike Richards. My all time favorite hockey moment:

Which led to this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not a moron, and I know hockey. I get that this was a legit hockey move. The return was good. We cleared cap space so we could sign a “#1 goalie.”  But it doesn’t make it suck any less.

Someone once asked me why I like Richie so much, and my answer was, “He’s amazing on a short-handed breakaway.” And it’s true. He’s a gritty, talented guy that puts it all out there. A kick-ass two-way player.  A clutch player, a leader who has won on every level. And will continue to do so. Just not in Philadelphia.

Forgive this fangirly and probably discombobulated post, but I’m still trying to comprehend this move. Anyone who is a real hockey fan knows it’s not “just a game.” It’s more than a subculture. When you watch a game, it’s like you’re on the ice with the team. You’re in it to get those 2 points and that W just as much as any guy sitting on that bench.

Hockey is a way of life.

It’s a huge part of my life. And will continue to be so, in a more amplified way because I’m not just going to shove my Richie jersey in the back of my closet and forget about number one-eight. He’s moving on, but I’ll be a fan always, and I’ll adopt the Kings as a new team to stalk. I know I’ll get over this one day, return to being a normal human being and not be so gutwrenched by such a move, but that day is not today.

Flyers C or no, Mike Richards will always be my Captain. Teeny, tiny, hard-to-appreciate plus side: now he gets to do so while wearing a crown.