How the passion all started

For my first few posts, I figured I would tell you a few things about me. One topic I thought would be kinda cool is "How did you become a Pens fan?" Was it something you were born into(parents, siblings were fans), friends got you watching, maybe the Pens recent success made you a fan...Theres all sorts of ways that people become fans of a sports team. Here's my little story....

I grew up, and still live in a small town about 45 minutes south of Pittsburgh. The year was 1985. I was 7 years old. My sister, who would have been 16, started talking a lot about this Mario guy. She had posters of him in her room and a hockey stick that would appear in various places in the house. At this age, I was a very big Pittsburgh Pirates fan but didnt know a thing about hockey. I remember her friends would come over and their big thing was running into each other then yelling "body check!" I thought they were nuts! Over time, I would watch a few minutes of games here and there when she had them on. I began to know some of the players names and a little about how the sport was played.

Around 1987, at 9 years old, I began playing with a neighbor. He was a couple years older than me. He was a hockey fan and had all the gear-sticks, goalie equipment, a net, ect. His parents were big time hockey fans. It was at this time, I asked my parents for a hockey stick. Almost every day in the summer from here on out, my neighbor and myself would alternate between playing some hockey and throwing a baseball.

In 1989, my neighbors parents invited me to my first hockey game. I had been to lots of Pirates game, but this was much different. The action was much closer, the excitement level much greater. I was hooked. I have to admit, I dont remember a ton about the game other than we played the Minnesota North Stars and the game ended in a tie. I do remember one hilarious moment. In the game, Zarley Zalapski scored a goal. As we were leaving the arena, there was an older asian lady walking beside us. She began screaming "I love my Zarley Zalapski!, I love my Zarley Zalapski!" in a very heavy accent. My friend and I laughed the whole way home.

So that was it, I became hooked on both playing hockey and watching hockey. It's a passion I still have today and I am proud to be a fan of the best organization in professional sports- The Pittsburgh Penguins

So what is your story?