Oh man, the Wranglers hockey team…where do I even start? I remember growing up in Canada as a little kid, and the novelty of a hockey team being based here in the States. My buddy and I would joke around about it, wondering what major US city would have the nerve to attempt a NHL team.
Well, that dream came true in the summer of 1998, when the Wranglers announced that they were joining the National Hockey League. I was beyond excited! The idea of being able to visit a NHL team’s own arena was better than I ever imagined and I immediately set to work organizing tickets and attempting to save up enough money to buy the jerseys.
Sadly, the joy was short-lived. The Wranglers were unable to secure any major sponsorships or find any quality players, and the team ended up folding a mere three years later. In the end, the only thing the Wranglers had to show for their time in the nhl shop was a single game, in which they were trounced by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite the ultimate failure of the team, I still have fond memories associated with the Wranglers. Even though they couldn’t compete on the ice, they still inspired a sense of hometown pride that gradually started to expand to neighboring cities and states. As a Canadian, it was actually really neat to witness the US learning and growing in terms of their hockey culture.
Plus, the sudden influx of fans provided local businesses with a great boost in sales. From local restaurants to nearby stores that stocked Wrangler’s memorabilia, suddenly it felt like the whole town had become an NHL fan. For a while, it was like a dream come true.
I remember that even after the team disbanded, the arenas would fill up in anticipation of a new season starting each year. Even though it was doomed for failure year after year, the people of our town still made the effort to show up in full force and cheer their hearts out. That’s what I love about sports – it can bring a whole community together.
And speaking of community, I think that’s where the Wranglers really shined. Sure, they couldn’t compete in the cheap nhl jerseys, but they did form a tight-knit fan base that’s still strong today. Even though the Wranglers only lasted three years, the spirit that they created has stuck around much longer.
I can easily say that the Wranglers Hockey team was an invaluable part of my youth. Even though they weren’t ever able to make it to the top, I still remember them with fondness, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to experience the hockey culture in the US. Who knows – maybe one day the Wranglers will make a triumphant return.
My friend, I’m sure I’m not alone in having such fond memories of the Wranglers. It turns out, many people in the US and Canada enjoyed the team while they were around and still regard them just as highly today.
Even though the Wranglers lasted for only three years, they were genuinely one of the most entertaining teams in the NHL. The sheer energy and commitment of the players were inspiring, and I think it really empowered non-NHL fans to go out and begin following the league.
The Wranglers Hockey Team merged hockey teams from two spectacular days to become a sort of super hockey team. With the excitement they shared between the teams, the players became a minor celebrity in the news. The team’s fan base also grew with the new addition as everyone was eager to show up and cheer them on in their games.
The arena was always sold out, and standing up during their home games was such a surreal experience. Despite the team only living on for three years, their legacy still shines on, inspiring countless hockey fans to go out and be part of something new.
Living in an area near the Wranglers Hockey Team, I definitely feel a sense of attachment to the team because of what it meant to our community. I was there when the team first began and the local news was abuzz with news about the team. People would talk about the individual players and the team as a whole, discussing their prospects at the start of every season.
The Wranglers opponent teams would often come back to give compliments and reflect on what a great experience it was to play against them. Other teams, especially the ones playing away games in the affluent towns, oftentimes were completely astonished by the intensity and the thriving atmosphere of the arena.
The fan base played an important role in allowing the team to survive for three years, and the team was particularly reliant on the fans that kept attending the games no matter what. On top of that, locals weren’t afraid to show their support in other forms, such as setting up booths to sell jerseys and other fan merchandise to support the team.
It was always such a great feeling to walk through the aisles of the arenas to witness the passionate supporters of the team. It was truly a unique moment to be a part of something special like this.
Of course, the Wranglers were unable to find any major sponsors or secure any quality players to keep them afloat. Though they did give fans a lot of reasons to be proud, they ultimately fell short of their goal of becoming a top-tier National Hockey League team. Still, the time they spent in the NHL gave them the chance to show the world what they were capable of and their spirit still carries on with those that were part of it.