Stay classy, Edmonton.
With the arrival of Chris Pronger looming on the horizon, Edmonton has been wondering what kind of welcome he deserves. I am lucky enough to have tickets to see that game. Message boards and newpaper inboxes alike have been overwhelmed with opinions. Some say that booing is never classy. Some say that because Pronger played so well for Edmonton last season, he deserves a hero's welcome. They're wrong.
Well, partly. While booing might never be considered classy, there is a time and a place for it. It would be considered unclassy to boo someone else's national anthem. I think that we can all agree that that should never again happen in Edmonton. But booing a player who behaved like a petulant child and disrespected your city is not classless. It's harmless, and Pronger will be expecting it (the only thing better would be to not utter a sound. That would damage Pronger's ego much more than booing ever would. It's also impossible, for all 16 000+ fans will not agree). It's harmless as long as the line is drawn there. Throwing shit onto the ice (unless it's frozen beef prior to a playoff game) and having the booming Rexall voice remind you not to three times before resorting to threats makes Edmonton look like a city full of rednecks.
If you're at the game tomorrow, boo if you'd like but keep your hands to yourself. Then, as Alana said, we can get on with our lives.
Well, partly. While booing might never be considered classy, there is a time and a place for it. It would be considered unclassy to boo someone else's national anthem. I think that we can all agree that that should never again happen in Edmonton. But booing a player who behaved like a petulant child and disrespected your city is not classless. It's harmless, and Pronger will be expecting it (the only thing better would be to not utter a sound. That would damage Pronger's ego much more than booing ever would. It's also impossible, for all 16 000+ fans will not agree). It's harmless as long as the line is drawn there. Throwing shit onto the ice (unless it's frozen beef prior to a playoff game) and having the booming Rexall voice remind you not to three times before resorting to threats makes Edmonton look like a city full of rednecks.
If you're at the game tomorrow, boo if you'd like but keep your hands to yourself. Then, as Alana said, we can get on with our lives.
Comments
You guys are!
I know, at this particular moment in time, I am representative of the enemy as a Ducks fan, but I would like to say, if I were an Oiler fan, I'd boo Chris Pronger too.
My props to you for advocating the no-tossing-crap-onto-the-ice.
Yeah. No one throw crap at Pronger. Throw it only if it's fucking made to kill.
If Pronger held a press conference himself, and told everyone rather than fleeing to mexico - I actually wouldn't hate him and give him credit for being a man about it. Instead his agent leaks it, he comes back and goes "hey, don't blame me. Personal reasons". He still doesn't believe that he himself was the ultimate reason to move. He had the power to choose so but everytime he goes "It's the decision of my family - and oh wait, since it's my family they don't have any responsibility! hah! NAILED!". I mean every single article defending him is almost saying as if he didn't want to leave, it wasn't his fault yadaya. And the minute he comes close to admitting he's sorry for letting down the fans, he quickly covers it up to make himself seem like a martyr for regarding the fans yet placing himself on a higher pedestal.
This was an event that damaged the morale of the fans and the team, the bitterness is just the kicks of the passion.
Okay, now go back to the pronger-talk.
Alana, I understand what you're saying and I do agree. He definitely didn't handle the whole situation the right way. But I was simply using the comparison of another big player leaving a city and getting booed when he returned. The media made it sound to me as though Oilers fans were mad that Pronger left after taking the team to the SCF. So I apologize if I was misinformed on the reason for the Pronger hatred of the fans by believing what the media said. I should know better, I have a journalism degree ;-)
The boys on Battle of Alberta were wondering who has the best team with regards to looks in the league. Maybe this is a project for Hot Oil??
By the way, your blog kicks ass. Keep up the great work! =D
I mean Hemsky has a neck as thick as his head but you don't hear the fangirls complaining.
AHAHAH... what a description. I think it'd make a great HLOG post, arguing the hottest looking team.
Smyth and Horcoff are kinda weird looking
I actually think Smyth and Horcoff are pretty cute. ahhahaah, maybe I'm strange, but I do. I'm a big Ryan Smyth admirer.