KENT, WA –
The rinks of the WHL’s U.S. Division are rowdy and loud, but a small contingent of Calgary Hitmen fans are doing their best to drown out the American fans.
Long-time Hitmen supporters the Junior Hockey Junkies have established a firm presence in Washington and Oregon State as the team is thurst in the longest road-trip of the franchise’s 20-year history.
With his trademark whitebeard, Junkies Kim ‘Santa’ Thomas along with Tim and Rhonda Johnson and a small crew of Hitmen parents were supporting the team in full force as the they clinched a playoff spot with a 3-2 triumph over the Seattle Thunderbirds at the ShoWare Center on Tuesday.
“If we could we’d like to do a bus trip, but it’s tough to put together,” Santa said of making the more than 1,000 KM trek from Calgary to Washington State to support the boys. “I’m retired, I have the means to come on this trip. We are huge followers of the Hitmen and we just like to come down and see the different rinks.”
This isn’t Santa’s first rodeo.
The JHJ figurehead has seen WHL action in all 22 of the league’s rinks.
While trying to compete with the high decibel levels present in the barns south of the border, Santa said there’s something different about the U.S. Division buildings.
“The Americans cheer about things we don’t even think of,” he said. “They like to have fun. A lot of ‘rah-rah’.”
Although rowdy, Santa added that the American fans are always friendly and he’s had no problems enjoying the game right along with them.
The staunch junior hockey supporter pointed to a fellow die-hard seated in section 105 of the ShoWare, who he referred to as the “Seattle Thuderbirds Santa.”
“We’ve met lots of people over the years in each rink we come to,” Santa explained. “A lot of them go to the Memorial Cup with us. Everywhere we’ve been we haven’t had any problems.”
The Junior Hockey Junkies are comprised of six junior hockey diehards that have come together to promote the Canadian Hockey League.
They are all Hitmen season ticket holders who according to their website; “bleed Hitmen colors and support their team through the ups & downs.”
All natives of Calgary, Santa said he and the JHJ can’t wait to get back to the Scotiabank Saddledome to cheer on the boys when they take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes on March 15.
“It will be great to get back,” Santa said of the Hitmen return from their lengthy 11-game road trip. “It’s still a long way to go. The boys have a long and tough road trip, hopefully everything comes up well. “
For more information on the Junior Hockey Junkies, including bus trip registration, visit
jrhockeyjunkies.com
.