Josh Morrissey remembers the city coming to life before his eyes.
A nine-year-old Flames fan in the spring of 2004, he was captivated by every Jarome Iginla chance and Miikka Kiprusoff save during Calgary’s run to the Stanley Cup Final.
“It was an incredible experience,” said Morrissey, now a star defensive end for the Winnipeg Jets. “Live and die in every victory and defeat.”
Hockey fans across Canada are once again bracing themselves for the annual thrill and torment that comes with the playoffs. The Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are in the 16-team field that will open play on Saturday.
Morrisey remembers the energy in his hometown as the Flames advanced through three grueling rounds to the final.
“That’s the best part about Canadian teams doing well in the playoffs…it means a lot,” he told the Canadian Press. “A special time of year. The further you go, the more the excitement increases. This could really mean a lot for cities. I know as a kid, it meant a lot to me.”
The Canada Cup drought dates back to Montreal’s 1993 triumph, an agonizingly long period for fans in the country that loves hockey more than any other. The Canucks (twice), Flames, Oilers, Canadiens and Ottawa Senators reached the final but fell short. The four Canadian clubs in this year’s bracket are the ones that have made the most selection rounds in a normal campaign since 2017.
Vancouver defenseman Carson Soucy, who grew up near Edmonton, remembers the Oilers’ march to the 2006 final.
“That’s when they showed up with the flags in the car windows,” he said. “They were everywhere…those were popular that year.”
Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon grew up a Canucks fan and was in town when the team lost to Boston in Game 7 of the 2011 Finals.
“There’s really nothing like playoff hockey (in Canada),” he said. “Everyone comes together.”
Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit, who grew up in suburban Montreal, remembers watching the Canadiens play a few playoff games when he was a kid.
“Having the chance to play in this World Cup here is very special,” he said of the opportunity in Toronto. “I’m really excited about it. When the time comes, I will be ready.”
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet won the Cup as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992. He said the team that brings hockey’s grail home will have bragging rights for a long time to come.
“It’s going to be quite a party,” he said. “You can be Team Canada after the Stanley Cup. There is a lot at stake for the participating Canadian teams. As a Canadian, it can be huge. That would be great, right?
Like so many Canadian fans over the past 30 years, Morrissey was deeply disappointed when the Flames lost Game 7 to the Tampa Bay Lightning two decades ago.
“I remember being absolutely devastated,” he said.
But there were many good moments along the way.
“My friends and I from back then still talk about some of the games,” Morrissey continued. “Live a long time.”
The shine of a World Cup victory would last even longer.
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AP NHL:
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