Since someone deleted the thread about Cooper's comments

[WranglerSM]

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http://www.wavy.com/dpp/sports/syracuse-possibly-new-ahl-home-for-lightning-al

Here's the link, and the section in question:

Regarding Tampa Bay's plan to move their AHL team to Syracuse, no official announcement has been made, but Head Coach Jon Cooper told the Sportswrap recently, in the AHL, it's not the players the fans fall in love with, it's the team--regardless of the affiliation.

"There are a lot of players on this team who weren't on the team last year. Norfolk has been a great home for us, but ultimately a lot goes into this decision."

Cooper is spot on, 100%.  No one brings up players from past AHL Admirals' teams that fans were "in love with" like Konopka, Bochenski, etc.  Individuals may form an attachement to certain players, but the fan base will cheer for whomever is wearing the uniform.  There was probably an 80% turnover from last year's team to this one.  Next year's team, regardless of where the TB affiliate plays, will most likely have the same turnover.

Cooper said nothing that would take away any one person's support of the team or a player.  Unfortunately he doesn't have the time to say "The fans fall in love with the team, not the players.  Oh, except for Johnny, Timmy, Susy, Jane, and Billy--those guys are different, because they fell in love with Conacher, Johnson, and Barberio."  The biggest reason long-time Hampton Roads Admirals are still "in love" with guys like Taylor, Bernie, McEwen, is because they were here for YEARS.  John Brophy was here for YEARS.  Most of the current roster has only been here a year, maybe two.  It's my belief that performance has more impact over the "love" of these players rather than personality.  I'd be willing to bet there were quite a few great guys on the AHL team that TB iced the first year they were here.  Didn't here this "love" back then...

[JAR1]

I think I heard the interview on Sportswrap last night.  I thougt Coop gave a strong interview, said that the fans fall in love with the "team, not the organization" they are affiliated with.  He also went on to say he'd love to be back in Norfolk, he couldn't say enough for the fans and their support.  All in all, I thought it was a good interview.

[Chad O!]

For me, Tampa was the affiliate team when I started watching hockey regularly so IF the relationship ends, it'll be like breaking up with my first girlfriend.  It'll seem traumatic at the time, but there will be others...  I still see jerseys from the Chicago era at the Scope being worn by fans cheering the Admirals.  Of course there was great celebration when Chicago and some former Ads won the Cup and when Tampa wins another Cup with former Admirals I know it will be cheered loudly.

Coop's right, though.  I am an Admirals fan first.  I do not expect any player to be around much longer than it takes to leap to the big show and they're quickly forgotten about (how's Blair Jones and Ty Wishart doing?).

Color me "not offended".

These may be the last few weeks of me wearing a V4 jersey.  Next year, I think I'll get myself a blank Admirals jersey and keep it at that.

[admiralszone]

For me, Tampa was the affiliate team when I started watching hockey regularly so IF the relationship ends, it'll be like breaking up with my first girlfriend.  It'll seem traumatic at the time, but there will be others...  I still see jerseys from the Chicago era at the Scope being worn by fans cheering the Admirals.  Of course there was great celebration when Chicago and some former Ads won the Cup and when Tampa wins another Cup with former Admirals I know it will be cheered loudly.

Coop's right, though.  I am an Admirals fan first.  I do not expect any player to be around much longer than it takes to leap to the big show and they're quickly forgotten about (how's Blair Jones and Ty Wishart doing?).

Color me "not offended".

These may be the last few weeks of me wearing a V4 jersey.  Next year, I think I'll get myself a blank Admirals jersey and keep it at that.

Pick your favorite number and put your name on it.

[WrightCoast]

All real Admirals fans miss Mike McKenna!

I agree with Scott 100% on this, but to be fair none of those other teams were winners the way this team is, so that may be why people are taking it so personally.

[Norads]

All real Admirals fans miss Mike McKenna!

I agree with Scott 100% on this, but to be fair none of those other teams were winners the way this team is, so that may be why people are taking it so personally.

Dng...ding...ding, we have a winner.  But alas we'll get over it.

[thearchon]

I agree with Scott 100% on this, but to be fair none of those other teams were winners the way this team is, so that may be why people are taking it so personally.

There are ALWAYS very vocal members in a group who resist change.  It wouldn't matter how the team is doing - there would be people complaining regardless. 

For those who are able to take some emotion out of the situation and look at it rationally, I think most realize that regardless of affiliation change we wouldn't be looking at the same exact team play next year.  A similar level of success is not guaranteed season to season - and I'd venture to say even less so given how successful this group of guys has been.

[Fletch]

I agree with Scott 100% on this, but to be fair none of those other teams were winners the way this team is, so that may be why people are taking it so personally.

There are ALWAYS very vocal members in a group who resist change.  It wouldn't matter how the team is doing - there would be people complaining regardless. 

For those who are able to take some emotion out of the situation and look at it rationally, I think most realize that regardless of affiliation change we wouldn't be looking at the same exact team play next year.  A similar level of success is not guaranteed season to season - and I'd venture to say even less so given how successful this group of guys has been.

There was nothing irrational or resistant to change in the original post. And this individual is not among the "complainers" of our group. It was a legitimate observation. Nothing to do with the affiliation change, just the comments. But go ahead and cast aspersions. I'll continue to be here--usually quietly--as I have been for years.

[BobG]

We went from the penthouse to the outhouse before with hockey in this town and now we're back in the penthouse getting ready to raise the Calder...... It's the nature of the beast with respect to affiliations and parent clubs.... they come and they go.
If you remember, early Tampa years we endured an idiot owner in Tampa, now at least for the time being we've been blessed with an awesome admin team....

I've said this before, we'll get everyone together and root for whatever boys show up at the Scope to lace em up.....

[Fletch]

We went from the penthouse to the outhouse before with hockey in this town and now we're back in the penthouse getting ready to raise the Calder...... It's the nature of the beast with respect to affiliations and parent clubs.... they come and they go.
If you remember, early Tampa years we endured an idiot owner in Tampa, now at least for the time being we've been blessed with an awesome admin team....

I've said this before, we'll get everyone together and root for whatever boys show up at the Scope to lace em up.....

Always have. We love the game.

[thearchon]

I agree with Scott 100% on this, but to be fair none of those other teams were winners the way this team is, so that may be why people are taking it so personally.

There are ALWAYS very vocal members in a group who resist change.  It wouldn't matter how the team is doing - there would be people complaining regardless. 

For those who are able to take some emotion out of the situation and look at it rationally, I think most realize that regardless of affiliation change we wouldn't be looking at the same exact team play next year.  A similar level of success is not guaranteed season to season - and I'd venture to say even less so given how successful this group of guys has been.

There was nothing irrational or resistant to change in the original post. And this individual is not among the "complainers" of our group. It was a legitimate observation. Nothing to do with the affiliation change, just the comments. But go ahead and cast aspersions. I'll continue to be here--usually quietly--as I have been for years.

I'm sorry you apparently misunderstood what I was saying and took personal offense to it.  I was merely making my own personal "legitimate observation" that there are always individuals in a group who are resistant to change.   Even when a change is going to yield a positive result, those who are inherently resistant to change tend to find some sort of complaint to justify their feelings.

As a result of that fact, there would be people who were upset about the possible affiliation change regardless of the quality of the current team.  In this instance the "group" is ALL Admirals fans, not limited to just those on this forum.  I'm sure we'd be seeing complaints from "I wanted them to be successful before they left!" to "Oh, man, I just bought a jersey this year.  Now I need a new one!"

I did not state that you, specifically, are one of those individuals and I did not mean to imply that you are one those individuals, either.

[WranglerSM]

People are going to take things personally all the time, intentional or not.  Best not to waste your time apoligizing.  Your point was a good one and well made.

[ShawnD]

bring back mihalik

[Caps52Green]

bring back mihalik

 Thats what I am talking about...... Go Mihalik .... Much better than Chris Phelps!

[Chad O!]

I loved Vladdy.  I can't tell if Shawn's be facetious or not because I clearly remember folks in his section NOT loving Mihalik.

Either way, Coop's kind of right.  The majority of folks around here couldn't name three current (or former) players.  The brand is the Admirals.  The players play for the brand.