Last year there were a few times on the Deke we would talk about new fans and what it will take the NHL to attract and retain new fans to the sport.  My friend Danielle and I were talking the other day and I asked if she would like to watch hockey this year and blog about her experience - learning the game, teams, players … the passion!  I asked her to send me a little bio that I could use to introduce her to the Deke family.  Please, everyone, welcome my good buddy Danni to the Deke!

So, I decided this would be the year I would like to learn more about hockey.  Why, you may ask? Well, it’s a sport I think I might just enjoy.   I mean you have the ice, the skates, the puck and last but not least the cute guys (or girls) all padded up, ready to fight to make the goal.  Besides, my good buddy Bill seems to bleed hockey from his veins, so it’s got to be good, right?

First let me stop real quick and give you some info on me…  I’m Danielle, I’m married to a great guy who puts up with my randomness and serves as my daily comic relief.  I have two great kids, Stephan who is 20 and Sophia who is 6 (and queen of this castle).  I live in central Arkansas and work for adoption services, which is a passion of mine.  I love music, movies, photography, travel and maybe by the end of this season, hockey!

As far as sports go, I don’t know much about them.  Growing up my mom always ruled the household and she hates sports.  If dad wanted to watch a football game he’d go sit and watch it on the little T.V. in the kitchen.  Once they took me to a softball game and I got to be the “batter girl”.  I remember being more concerned and proud about my new perm and Panama Jack tee-shirt, then paying attention to what was going on in the game.  Then around the age of 11, I decided I wanted to play softball because my cousins and friends were all playing.  I begged my parents to let me join our community’s girl’s team.  Let’s just say that I spent that season waaay out in right field and keeping the bench warm.

When I got married my husband introduced me to college football, specifically Arkansas Razorback football.  At first, I was a little nonplussed at the giddy excitement that would glint in his eyes and the goose bumps that would pop up on his arm when he’d talk about the start of the season.  Then he took me to a game and I could finally understand some of the excitement.  Now I will gladly watch a game with him and can actually share in the excitement.

So, back to hockey, this year I hope to learn how to follow what is going on in a game, find a team I can root for and just see if by the end of the season I can call myself a hockey fan.

Tags: Danni, Fan, Introduction to hockey, Learning