SDavis35 140 Report post Posted February 28, 2015 I'm not sure if it was just because we only get one game in the West coast cities, or if our fans were just really into games lately, but I've noticed an awesome trend of some great road crowds this past month and more. Just wanted to say I love hearing the crowd cheer for us at road games, specifically Dallas, Arizona, Colorado and even last night was a pretty good road cheer. Great to be a part of such an enthusiastic fanbase! 3 chaps80, canadian wings fan and Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted February 28, 2015 I feel like a lot of people have left Michigan for greener pastures (including myself). Hence why there are a lot of transplanted Wings fans, especially south/west where the economy is doing better. 1 chaps80 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted February 28, 2015 Hit the nail on the head. A lot of those folks are transplanted Michiganders Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted March 1, 2015 I feel like a lot of people have left Michigan for greener pastures (including myself). Hence why there are a lot of transplanted Wings fans, especially south/west where the economy is doing better. They may come back when the Colorado River and Lake Mead dry up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted March 1, 2015 I'll be in the crowd when they play Minnesota. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsallTheway 383 Report post Posted March 1, 2015 I noticed that the crowd cheered when we won our last game in Nashville. Cool stuff. Sounded like the home team won Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salviaman 104 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 Wings fans always travel well! Yes we all had a great time in Nashville! It was a hell of a game to participate in... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 While I'm sure there are plenty of transplanted "Michiganders" in the crowd for road games, it could be just the people became fans of the team. I mean, the Wings have been great for like 20+ years, we have classy all world players like Yzerman, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk that play the game right, they don't run their mouths or act like jackasses. In today's sports world, that's very different and refreshing and I think people in other cities recognize that. Great ownership, great coaches, original 6 franchise with a ton of history. They are and have been, for decades, a very easy team to like and cheer for and I think its showing in these road arenas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicagowing19 1 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 I'm one of those who became a fan growing up in the Chicago area with a crappy Hawks team. Now its rough going to the Uc due to ignorant drunk "new fans" and high ticket prices. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smite 399 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 I think some of it has to due with the success mid and late 90s.If you started enjoying the sport at that time you may follow the team if they have continued success. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 (edited) You gotta realize when there is 1 game in Dallas a year, basically every Wings fan in Texas has that one shot to see the Wings without a ton of travel. I live in Texas and still drive 700 miles round trip for the game. I'm not a transplant, born and raised Texan, but I do have roots in Michigan. I'd imagine something similar happens in Cali, although there are a few games to choose from. Edited March 2, 2015 by rrasco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yztheman 29 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 I'm sure a lot has to do with a distributed fanbase, but you become a fan in all kinds of ways. I learned hockey from playing nhl video games back in the day on a nintendo and sega, then started following. Was a big baseball fan, played some rec ball leagues. Started following hockey, found out Braves pitcher Tom Glavine also played hockey in college, could have gone to the NHL but chose baseball. Things like that and then by watching teams learned about the players, and after watching and learning the Russian Five, Detroit became my favorite team. My brother liked Philly. I lve about 100 miles from Florida line, 99% of the people here have no clue about hockey it's all college football in bama. We get blacked out on national hockey games for stuff like women's basketball and bowling. Had to travel 600 miles roundtrip to see a game in Atlanta. Now that's not an option and the corporate greeds at NHL have the gall to want me to attend nhl games all the way up in Nashville. I like sports but our system of paying jocks millions and increasing costs on the family is ridiculous and needs to be changed, but almost all of our institutions are entrenched by those with a vested interest and resist positive change while spouting lip service the whole time. I wonder when the day comes when people realize sports is good and fun but nowhere near as important as education and saving lives and put emphasis on the proper priorities. Probably never. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kook_10 1,705 Report post Posted March 2, 2015 You gotta realize when there is 1 game in Dallas a year, basically every Wings fan in Texas has that one shot to see the Wings without a ton of travel. I live in Texas and still drive 700 miles round trip for the game. I'm not a transplant, born and raised Texan, but I do have roots in Michigan. I'd imagine something similar happens in Cali, although there are a few games to choose from. We've had some good rivalries and playoff series with the Kings, Ducks, and Sharks in the past so Cali fans also know it is going to be a good game every time now. I gotta say, though, I moved to the east coast for the nine previous years, and coming back to LA I've noticed that Kings fans are insufferable. Even worse than in the Gretzky era. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STL-Wings 36 Report post Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Born and raised in Saint Louis (father a huge Blues fan). I have never even been to Detroit. When a kid, I was a huge Shanahan fan and followed him to Detroit. He left but I stayed with the Wings (yes given being in my late 20s it's really a big pile of winning years). Fell in love in the history, type of organization, the fan base, etc. In no other sport have I seen such a fan base embrace "outsiders" so well. So for now, I catch the Wings when in StL, SoCal, and have even seen them in Toronto. Can't wait to make it to a home game sometime. Edited March 3, 2015 by STL-Wings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted March 3, 2015 You gotta realize when there is 1 game in Dallas a year, basically every Wings fan in Texas has that one shot to see the Wings without a ton of travel. I live in Texas and still drive 700 miles round trip for the game. I'm not a transplant, born and raised Texan, but I do have roots in Michigan. I'd imagine something similar happens in Cali, although there are a few games to choose from. That's my situation in Minnesota. They only come here once a year and unfortunately I have way to much going on to travel anywhere else to see them (probably doesn't help I add more). Although me and couple friends plan next year is to go to the outdoor game in Minnesota, and Colorado. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
