centerandhiswinger - Tumblr blog

[centerandhiswinger]

Oh my god. Wow, this is exactly how I feel. Born and raised in Dallas, and although the Stars were huge when I was a kid (my choir teacher was a diehard fan but that was the extent of my familiarity or connection, and it was such a foreign thing to me), we're definitely an NFL/NBA/MLB town. So although I knew who the Dallas Stars were, I never knew where they even played, when hockey season was, etc. And I never was a sports person is general, so I didn't even understand the business side of drafting, trades, free agency, etc. Didn't understand divisions and conferences.. ANYTHING. I went to my first Stars game completely blind when a friend invited me on Dec. 17th. Sat in the lower level right behind the net and remember being so fascinated with the players doing line changes (lol), and the quick pace and physicality of the game. We totally lost (against Calgary), didn't even get to witness the only goal we scored in the first period (because I completely underestimated traffic and arrived during first intermission), but I was so enamored with the style of the sport. I spent the next day accidentally pulling an all nighter watching highlight reels of all the Stars games prior in the 15-16 season and compilation videos of past seasons. Since then I don't even know how many home games I've been to or how many hours I've spent trying to educate myself on the sport and my favorite franchise. But it's funny, because you can't watch a game against an opponent without researching what the other team is about, who their key forwards are, etc. Then you quickly learn about the best goalies in the league because your team can't score against them and oh man, Jonathan freaking Quick and his flexibility drops your jaw to the floor. And you're right, you start hearing veteran names in the league like Gretzky, Ovechkin, and Stamkos. You look up Lundqvist to see why everyone's talking about his style and why they call him the King. You're confused about why Montreal are called the Habs but then you learn and it's part of your vernacular now. I've never been so engrossed and passionate about anything and yet hockey has taken over a lot of my free time. And yeah, I'd like to think I'm a hockey fan AND a Stars fan. I can appreciate beautiful plays for and against my team and other teams. And wow, really didn't mean to spill all of this too, but I related so much.

I'd like to think I'm a hockey fan.

I live in California, so other than knowing that the sport is played on ice and the San Jose Sharks exist, (since they’re right here in the Bay Area) I knew NOTHING about hockey for most of my life. I never knew of the stereotypes about fighting or beards or missing teeth. 6 months ago I had never heard the names Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux or Sidney Crosby. Then I read a novel about a hockey player and became fascinated with the sport. I still didn’t know much beyond the fact that Tyler Seguin was my favorite player. (I ride horses. There’s a brand of riding pants called Tailored Sportsman’s. TS for Tailored Sportsman, TS for Tyler Seguin…. that’s the only reason I liked him and all I knew about him. But what more could you want in a guy???) I went to my first game in January. (Dallas at San Jose.) I’m pretty sure the guy next to me (who happened to be a 25 year season ticket holder) was playing a drinking game for all the stupid comments I made. I wanted to know why the players had to go in time out. I got worried when they cleaned the ice that they’d eventually scrape all the ice off and wondered how we would get more. I wondered why everyone was so excited about some guy named “Joe.” (I found out later that “Joe” is Joe Pavelski.) But I had a ton of fun at the game and wanted to know more about hockey. I still don’t know much in terms of what a true hockey fan should probably know. But I can name all 30 teams and at least one player from most of them, and several from a lot of teams. I have favorite players and can give reasons why I like them other than something you could tell just by looking at them. I know a lot more rules and have a much better understanding of how the game is played and have stayed up way too late on many occasions watching every hockey-related video there is on YouTube. Tyler Seguin is still my all time favorite player, but for a lot more reasons than just his initials. I’d like to be able to try playing one day, or at the very least lace up some skates and see what it’s like to be on ice. But I’m also perfectly happy cheering everyone on from the sidelines or in front of the tv. Does any of this make me a true hockey fan or at least one in the making? I hope so. I’m a 5'4, 100% introverted, California girl who gets cold very easily. But I’ve found a passion for hockey. I still have SO much to learn. But I’m loving every minute of it. And yes, I now know who Gretzky and Lemieux and Crosby are now.

[centerandhiswinger]

Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) leans on Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) during the 3rd period of an NHL game between the St Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars, Friday March 12th, 2016 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

[centerandhiswinger]

I HAVE LOCATED FOOTAGE.

@forevergrace55

[centerandhiswinger]

Kari celebrating Fidds’ 100th goal 3.4.16

[centerandhiswinger]

[centerandhiswinger]

In one of the Stars promos Jamie looks at Tyler THIS INTENTLY while clearly saying ‘yeah, baby.’

GUYS YOU ARE KILLING ME

[centerandhiswinger]

jamie and tyler talking during a commercial break on the all star draft 2012

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[centerandhiswinger]

Why

[centerandhiswinger]

april 4th // 2015

[centerandhiswinger]

2/2/16 - Bennguin bench moment

[centerandhiswinger]

Bennguin Fist Bump | Stars v Ducks | 1.15.16

[centerandhiswinger]

“He’s opened me up a bit,” Benn said. “We’ve got a pretty good relationship. He’s obviously not shy and likes to talk a lot, and I’m just the laid-back, laugh-it-out kind of guy, so he brings out my personality a bit, and we have a good time together.”

Jamie Benn on Tyler Seguin (x).

(if you haven’t read this article…)

[centerandhiswinger]

2/9/16 - Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin Interview

[centerandhiswinger]

Soooo I need a parallel gifset with this video and the one they did recently in Jamie's backyard because HE NUDGES HIM IN THAT ONE TOO. Can this become a thing please.

“what’s your off ice situation like guys?” 

*jamie nudges tyler*

[centerandhiswinger]

We’re pretty much opposites. I’m a pretty quiet, laid back guy, and he’s outgoing, likes to have fun. But I think it complements both of us. It’s just one of those things, that you find chemistry with another player, and it just seems to click right away.

[centerandhiswinger]

No but seriously when I saw the BTS Twitter picture I immediately was like, oh that's Tyler's backyard. Because you know how they said if they do hang it's usually at his place. But then it happened to be Jamie's?? And he brought Cash?? That's just so damn cute.

PSA: they’re at Jamie’s house because look at hot tub placement (Tyler’s house is the first picture then Jamie’s), but Cash just so happens to be with them…