Categorizing and Analyzing Different Edmonton Oilers Fans
Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Introduction
The Edmonton Oilers have a huge fan following, one that has been going since the team got its start in the World Hockey Association in the late 1970s. However, although each of us fans holds a common bond in the fact that we all love the Oilers, it is true to say that there are different classifications of Oilers fans. So today, on Oil on Whyte for a Sunday morning special, we will classify, categorize and analyze each type of Oilers fan out there.
Next: The Die Hards
Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
The Die Hards
The first group has to go out to the die hard Oilers fans out there. Through thick and thin, these fans stand with their team, and sadly, it can be hard to find die hard fans who have stuck by a team for as long as some of the Oilers fans have, since the team has not had a chance at the playoffs since choking in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. And yes, they hate the Calgary Flames.
Die Hard fans can vary. They do not have to know the entire history of the franchise, nor do they have to be a life-long fan. They must have been following the Oilers for a long time, and they hold generally strong knowledge about the team. These fans may or may not be season ticket holders, and they can be any age; if they’re a teenager, they grew up watching the Oilers. If they’re older, they’ve been through the teams ups and downs throughout the years.
The best thing about die hard fans is that they can take a joke and laugh along with those who mock the team, but they will always defend Oil Country. These fans bleed copper and blue, and they are always looking forward to what the team brings each and every year.
Next: The History Buffs
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The History Buffs
The History Buffs are a whole new kind of fandom. They rely on their statistics and facts of the team’s entire history through 1979 and beyond. They love to talk about the coming of Wayne Gretzky and the greatness of Jari Kurri, as well as the sensational Grant Fuhr. They do, however, hate discussing Gretzky’s trade, as does any other fan of the franchise. I even hate myself now for mentioning it…
Due to their knowledge, they are ready for anything, and they are aware of the team’s woes and the team’s former greatness. There is less suffering for these fans, due to the fact that they love the history behind the team, and they have been through the five Stanley Cup championships, the mass exodus of 1991 and even the team’s nine-year drought. However, they are optimistic and stick with the team, because history reassures them that the Oilers stand as one of the best franchises the league has had.
Next: The Judgers
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The Judgers
The Judgers are probably what makes up a huge chunk of the Oilers fanbase. What exactly is a Judger, and why do I use that term? A Judger, via Sammi’s hockey textbook coming out sometime in the near future, maybe in the next century or two, is one who is quick to judge when the team makes a positive or negative move.
Vague definition, I know. But let me go into explanation with a few examples. First off, when Connor McDavid was drafted, you saw these kinds of things on social media (not exactly word for word). “We’re finally Cup contenders!” “We have the next Gretzky!” Then, when the preseason came along, and McDavid only gave the team assists rather than goals, we heard the quiet “when will he score” and the “I worry for his transition.”
In addition, the team went 6-0, and every Judger was quick to say that the team is going to be a top competitor in the Pacific Division. However, once the team lost a sloppy, lazy 5-2 decision vs. the Vancouver Canucks, the fandom of Judges returned on a rampage; “Same old Oilers” and “It was good while it lasted.”
This is what a Judger is characterized as. It is the kind of person who thinks that Taylor Hall is the best player on the roster if he scores a goal at a crucial point the game, or if he just shows off his offensive talent. However, once he shows difficulty on the backend, the Judgers decide that he’s horrible as of late, does not deserve the captaincy and would be better off on another team.
These fans honestly just kill the fandom. DO NOT BE A JUDGER. And if you are a Judger… well, don’t be a Judger. Transitions take time. We all have our ups and downs. Be patient and a better season will follow.
Next: The Average Joes
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Average Joes
These guys are your average Oilers fans. Nothing too crazy here. These are guys that just like a fresh, cold beer, a seat by the boards and keeping track of Oilers hockey. They are passionate, all own at least one jersey and know a lot about the team, though they are not a complete history buff and can not run down every player on the original WHA roster. They hold modern-day favorite players, and they will get loud at games.
Average Joes are some of my favorite fans to see. They love seeing the Oilers, win or lose, and they simply just enjoy the fandom, the franchise and being at the games. At the end of the day, they are loyal to Oil Country and nothing else.
Next: The Rookies
Mandatory Credit: Chris Austin-USA TODAY Sports
The Rookies
These kind of fans are ones that are new to the Oilers fandom. Note that they are not Bandwagoners and that there is a difference between the two that I will discuss.
Rookies are fans generally younger looking for a team to follow. Some of these fans are kids that are turning 8 or 9, a teenager looking for a fun, beloved franchise with a lot of history and love behind or even someone from Alberta who just never got into NHL hockey.
Though rookies may not know much about the team, they are ready to learn more as they explore the Franchise. They may have a hat or shirt from the team, and they know the big-name guys primarily, such as Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Sure, they do not hold the whole entire knowledge of the Oilers franchise and may mess up from time to time, but be welcoming toward these new faces to Oil Country!
Next: The Bandwagoners
Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
The Bandwagoners
The last fan we will cover today. I cannot stand the bandwagon fans, and neither can any member of the Oilers fandom (as long as they are not a bandwagoner). These fans are mainly younger, but they can be older as well. When the team gets a young, new face such as McDavid, they join the Oilers fan club just for the sake of saying “my team has McDavid.”
They also jump from team to team and they are kind of like vampires. They suck whatever they can get out of the fandom just to follow the biggest teams and then dump them when someone better comes along. The funny thing is is that they are notorious for their lack of overall hockey knowledge, as well as their idiotic comments from time to time.
Overall, Bandwagoners are not fun. If you see one, do not approach, for they are dangerous.
Next: Roundup
Mandatory Credit: Chris Austin-USA TODAY Sports
Roundup
Got other fan types you want to discuss? Tell us in the comments, and also join in the conversation. We’re called FanSided for a reason. We discuss daily on Twitter and Facebook, and we are looking for more fans all the time! Check out @oilonwhyte for up-to-the-minute Oilers updates, and like us on Facebook: Oil on Whyte.