As far as he can remember, Gabe Karlik, 45, of Rankin Inlet has been a Toronto Maple Leafs fan for his entire life.
The Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967 and Karlik said it's “hope” that keeps him coming back year after year to cheer the team on.
He said his hope meter for a Leafs Cup run this season is a solid eight out of 10.
“I keep up with the Leafs throughout the year by reading different material, but I tend to not start watching the games until the playoffs,” said Karlik.
“I watch more baseball and football than hockey, but I am still a big hockey fan.
“Toronto's defence is bit better this year, but still older. And their goaltending duo of an 1A and 1B approach might work if (Joseph) Woll can stay healthy.”
Karlik has never seen the Leafs win a Stanley Cup in his lifetime.
Yet, he said, he will keep cheering for Toronto until the day comes he sees a Leafs captain hoist the Cup over his head.
“I'd be in Toronto if they had a chance of winning and I'd go nuts if they actually did.
“To be honest, if they ever make the Cup finals, I'll be right there no matter who they're playing.”
Despite not having won a Cup since 1967, Karlik said the Leafs, as a team, haven't lost any of their mystique.
He said they're still, arguably, the most well-known hockey team in the world.
“They're still the Toronto Maple Leafs, just like the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees in baseball or the Dallas Cowboys in football. You don't lose that.
“The mystique still surrounds the Maple Leafs. There's always going to be fans who absolutely love them and there's always going to be fans who absolutely hate them... just because they are the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“They're a polarizing team.”