I've got to say that I really enjoyed reading everyone's stories. This is a great topic!
My devils fanaticism started slowly. In 1995, I carpooled kids to and from school and one of them asked me to please put the car radio on to listen to the NJ Devils during one of their playoff games. I couldn't deny the kid, even though I was NOT a hockey fan. I loved baseball and the only thing I knew about hockey was from watching the fights every night on the evening news, which turned me off! Then my husband's friend, who was an avid devs fan, talked my husband into going to a few games here and there. "No honey, quite allright. You go and have fun!" I was not interested. One day, while shopping at Modells, they offered a promotion where if you buy "x" amount of merchandise they gave you two tickets to a preseason devils game. We went and had a great time. Next, my oldest son started playing roller hockey. He started accompanying my husband to the games along with the buddy. One Christmas I decided to buy the two of them tickets to a devils game. They thought that was a great gift and had fun going to the game. Male bonding time! Next my son begins to play Ice Hockey. I happened to see an ad from a store, specializing in ice hockey equipment, announcing its grand opening with an appearance from a NJ Devils Player there to sign autographs, with all of the money collected going to help a local youth who was experiencing a medical problem. We made plans to go. It was Sheldon Souray, in his first year with the club. We waited our turn outside in the cold December air to go inside the store. By that time my husband and our two boys all had NJ Devils Winter Coats, hats, gloves, etc. They were all decked out! When I was able to take a glimpse inside the window I noticed that there were two guys sitting at the table. The second guy was a new player that was just traded to the Devils, Jason Arnott. As we approached the table the two of them were extremely nice, letting my kids step behind them in order to take pictures. They signed whatever we gave them. They were smiling and laughing and extremely friendly. These two guys were so gorgeous they took my breath away!(Even though I was old enough to be their mom's!!) I started watching the games on TV, along with my guys, in order to see my new "buddies" Sheldon and Jason. I began to fall in love with the game. It was fast and exciting. It got my adrenalin flowing. It was much better than watching baseball or even football for that matter! It was skill and speed and luck all rolled together. It had young stars trying to prove themselves. It had older veterans, trying to prove that they were still valuable. It had agitators and enforcers. Everyone seemed to have a role. I began to read the sports section daily. I began to read online accounts of the game. I looked for people to talk to, who shared my new passion for Devils hockey, but found few. I found the boards at NJO and was happy to read what other fans thought about the players and the games. I began buying jerseys. I attended games. I go early to always (ALWAYS!!) watch the pre-game practice. I study the players, trying to figure out who were that night's scratches. I watch the speed and the skill levels of the players as they shoot that tiny disc past the goalie, and I watch the brilliance of the quick reaction times from Martin Brodeur. I am now truly hooked. I collect players cards, posters, helmets, even cereal boxes (from Canada) of these Devils. I join the fan club. I attend charity softball games. I go to pre-season practices at South Mountain Arena. I wear my 14kt gold NJ Devils Medallion daily. I plan a visit the Hockey Hall of Fame while on a family vacation in Canada. I watch my team as they fight through the 2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs (even though Sheldon, my first Devils favorite has been traded by now). I rejoice that my favorite team has battled like warriors and have won the big prize!! I buy my Stanley Cup medallion from the fan club and begin wearing that with extreme pride. I attend the Cup celebration and tape every party event from it on the TV. I am proud to be a Devs fan! I watch every game on TV (yes, even Metro) and try to get to the stadium as much as I can afford in order to support my team. I have surpassed my husband and sons in the Devils "fanatic" category. Devils hockey is now in my blood as I bleed Devils RED.
