If you have been to MSG to watch the New York Rangers, or any sporting event really, you probably have encountered one of these fans. What type are you?
By Chris Wengert
What better way is there for us to spend our time than to take a look at the different types of Rangers fans?
Whether it is a first timer or the most avid of the Blueshirt faithful, we have all experienced at least one of these fan-types.
While a portion of these descriptions are Rangers-specific, a handful will apply to all hockey fans.
Quick disclaimer: Please note that when I use the word “guy”, its meaning is not meant to be geared towards a specific gender.
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Alright enough of the pleasantries, let’s get started.
The Eternal Optimist
Towards the end of December, these people were out in droves.
No matter how poorly the team plays, this fan will always look on the brighter side of life…to a fault.
These fans have no concept of how the game of hockey works, they just know that their New York Rangers are going to “be fine”.
The best part of interacting with these fans is watching them strike down anyone who dares to criticize the Rangers. For if you do, you will almost immediately be un-followed and branded a “fake Rangers fan”.
When the Rangers look horrid, these folks will almost always post or say something to the extent of “You can all give up on them, but I believe in MY Rangers”.
Yeah you go ahead and believe, the rest of us will stay grounded in reality.
The Eternal Pessimist
These fans are equally as bad, if not worse than the optimists.
The Rangers almost always stink in the eyes of the pessimist. The team is going nowhere, everyone needs to be traded, and Alain Vigneault is almost always “losing the team”.
When the Rangers set a franchise best regular season record last season, these people were still tearing down the team.
The eternal pessimist is the guy who will immediately change the channel on the television when the opposition scores, and will then utter the phrase “Yeah, they just stink!”.
Henrik Lundqvist is past his prime, Dan Girardi can’t play defense, Marc Staal is a bum, Rick Nash stinks, AV doesn’t know how to use Dylan McIlrath, and MSG has been overtaken by corporate greed.
Keep you misery to yourself pessimists.
Obnoxious Color Commentator Guy
This person knows their New York Rangers hockey, and they want everyone else in their section to be aware of that fact.
And how do they portray their hockey IQ? By speaking their mind about every little play during the game.
“Great play Stepan!”
“Chip it out Girardi!”
“Oh that’s a bad play, Zuccarello should have fired it there!”
“Ugh Nash come on, get back!”
There is no way to say it nicely, it is torture sitting next to the color commentator.
First of all, they will not shut up the entire game-and I mean the entire game. The commentator will say every little thing that goes through their head.
It’s all insecurity too, because the only reason they commentate every play is the make it known that “they are a student of the game.”
Don’t get me wrong, comments here and there are fine.
But the color commentator does not simplify sprinkle in a comment, they force it down your throat on every break out, every shot, and every shift change.
I’d rather listen to Sam and Joe or dare I say…Pierre.
Ok-maybe not Pierre.
The Pretender
Sometimes you have to feel bad for the pretender, and we all know at least one.
The pretender simply wants to be involved in the conversation; he wants to be “one of the guys”.
This person will make comments like “The Rangers really have looked good lately, right?”, when in actuality the team has lost five straight.
When you speak with a pretender, you almost start to feel embarrassed for them because you know that they have no idea what they are talking about.
But rather than just keep their thoughts to themselves, they feel the need to continue flapping their gums until they’ve completely discredited themselves.
It’s cool if you don’t watch every New York Rangers game dude, but just stop pretending.
Advanced Stat Guy
Oh advanced stat guy-you all know this guy.
The Rangers may have been blown out 5-0 by the Edmonton Oilers but hey, “…their possession stats were great tonight”.
This is the guy who usually will rag on a handful of players (Girardi) for having poor possession stats, even though those are the same players that are always facing the opponents top line.
This guy will throw words like fenwick and corsi around, even though they can barely explain what those words mean.
Because it’s all about sounding smart for advanced stat guy.
This person will rarely have an original thought because they don’t know enough about the game of hockey.
Instead, they have to rely upon fancy numbers to sound like they are better than everyone else.
And good luck if you try to have a conversation with advanced stat guy because they are never wrong. This is especially true if you are not speaking the same convoluted language as they are.
Have fun with your spread sheets buddy.
Potvin Sucks Guy
I’m not talking about every person who starts a “Potvin Sucks” chant here, I’m talking about Potvin sucks guy-and there is a difference.
Potvin sucks guy doesn’t even know who Denis Potvin is, but he knows all about the chant.
I have actually heard a person discuss how you can only start the chant at “specific times of the game” because that is when it is most effective.
Potvin sucks guy definitely takes his job seriously, even though everyone in his section can’t stand him.
This is the guy who will start a chant moments after some else already has. Cue eye roll.
Blow my eardrums out with your finger whistle and you’re paying for the medical bill sir.
Listen, I’m all for tradition and I really do love hearing the chant, especially at Rangers-Islanders games. But the moment you turn a chant into a science, you may need to get a hobby.
Can’t Criticize Henrik Guy
You’ll find these guys in every Rangers comment section and/or twitter discussion.
Henrik Lundqvist is The King, he is the best goaltender the team has ever had, and he will solve the world’s problems one day.
That’s what this guy thinks anyway.
These are the guys who blame every player on the team when they lose, except for Hank. And you better watch out if you even hint that a game was lost because of Henrik.
That is when the history lessons will begin:
“This team would have never made it to the Stanley Cup Finals without Hank in net”.
“Lundqvist is the best goalie the Rangers have ever had, and you are going to give him a hard time?!?”.
“I love how people blame it on Henrik, he’s the only reason we’re not (insert obligitory record)”.
Yes excuse me, I forgot that Hank never does anything wrong. Mr. Head and Shoulders is absolutely perfect.
I’ll give Hank this, the guy can do everything. He’s a heck of a goalie, plays guitar (very well), can compete in tennis, and is a fashion model.
Ok, maybe he is perfect.
Still Talks About 1994 Guy
I’ll admit that I am guilty of reminiscing about the good ole’ days (man that Marty St. Louis OT goal was sweet), but that is different from this guy–you have to make the distinction.
Still talks about 1994 guy will almost always compare the current team to the ’94 championship team, even though the current game of hockey is completely different from the 90’s.
They’ll discuss the 1994 trade deadline, how it was such a big move, and why Jeff Gorton needs to make a similar move “if the Rangers want to be successful”.
Not only does 1994 guy make comparisons to the 1994 team, but he will also make younger people feel inferior because they weren’t around to experience it.
1994 guy will almost always talk about “back then” and how much louder and meaner MSG was.
This guy is almost guaranteed to be wearing the same beer-stained and pin-filled jersey that he/she was wearing in 1994. These stains and pins are badges of honor for 1994 guy.
Don’t get me wrong 1994 was an amazing time, and it may just be another 54 years until it happens again.
But at some point you need to move on.
Be sure to drop us a line below and let us know where you fit in to this mix. Do you know someone who fits one of these Ranger fan-types?