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We may or may not have borrowed this idea from our friends at Pension Plan Puppets. They said we owe them Pietrangelo in return. They will probably get Steve Ott instead.
I'm Hildy, the site manager for St. Louis Game Time. I should not be confused with Brad and Sean, who are also site managers and who are our fearless leaders by virtue of the fact that they run (or ran) the St. Louis Game Time paper that you can (and should!) buy before every Blues home game. The Blues aren't exactly churning out news at a breakneck pace right now, so the staff here decided that this summer series would be a good way to kill time. We'd love it if you guys did introductions of your own in the comments section, or, if you'd like, create a fanpost.
1. Why/how did you become a Blues fan?
When I was a little kid, I was very spoiled by being able to watch Brett Hull and Adam Oates play in games televised on KPLR. I was never a super active child, preferring books to sports, but I really loved playing hockey in PE. Seeing it on TV, on ice, and so fast just captivated me. I was hooked.
I also had a grandmother who encouraged me to collect hockey cards as an investment, as I am sure every 8 year old little girl does. My mother, who was a Blues fan going all of the way back to the first season, was less than thrilled. I now have two boxes full of cards in my closet, old and new, worth about two grand. Who's the person throwing their money away now, Mom? (hint: it's still probably me).
I memorized all of the stats and players that I could, on the Blues and on other teams. I watched games whenever I could. I played the hell out of NHL 94.
2. How many years have you suffered?
Since I was 8, so... 25 years? God help me.
3. Favorite player/moment
Favorite player, all time, was Brett Hull, because when you are a little kid you like the big and flashy loudmouth. You also like the guy who scores all of the goals.
My favorite moment was the Blues sweep of the Blackhawks in 1993, which led to one of the greatest Eddie Belfour meltdowns in history.
4. How did you begin writing for Game Time?
Back in 2008, Brad noticed my replies to posts and thought they were pretty ok. He asked me to do a weekly feature, Tuesdays with Hildy, which was me debating current issues in hockey and the Blues. This format worked because I was the debate sponsor back then for the school that I teach at, and because I am capable of seeing every side of an issue and then arguing with myself over it.
During the lockout, Sean and Brad both were pooped, so they asked me to take over the site in January of 2013. Sean wanted his life back from the paper, and Brad needed to focus full-time on running and editing Game Time. So, here I am. Blame them.
5. Are you an out of towner? How does this impact your fandom?
I live in Atlanta, which means that I have to watch ECHL hockey and my local university's club team. This is more fun than it sounds. The internet makes it easy to be an out of towner, since I subscribe to GameCenter Live - it's a pleasant change from when I had to move down here 23 years ago and I was forced to exist entirely on newspaper clippings sent to me by my grandmother.
I do wear Blues gear out and about, and once in a while I will strike up a conversation with another Blues fan. These conversations focus on both playoff disappointment and how "meh" they think living in Atlanta is. Both things are discussed without fail.
6. Do you have other hobbies other than hockey?
For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen me complain about dissertation things and lit reviews and super exciting research. My main hobby right now is getting my doctorate in history education. When I had a life, other than hockey, my hobbies included reading and cooking. I miss having a life.
And, of course, I have Lucy, who is a permanently annoyed cat. Her hobbies include yelling at me until I feed her and stealing my Blues snuggie.
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7. Favorite beer/beverage
Right now it's Urban Chestnut's Apotheosis, but those of you who know me know that I have a wide variety of tastes in frosty adult beverages.
8. How many more years do you think it'll be before the Blues win the Stanley Cup?
I told my mother that I would wheel her out of the nursing home and down to Market Street when they win, so I would say about 20 more years if my sarcasm holds up. Hopefully it's sooner, for her sake and for my liver's.
9. Most important lesson learned as a Blues fan?
Patience. And fuck Mike Keenan.