I fell in love with the New Jersey Devils when I was only 8 years old. The fast-paced, exhilarating environment of a hockey game hooked me in right away and before long I knew almost every player. By 2011, a love affair was born between myself and left winger, Zach Parise. My eyes would stay glued to the screen during every interview ever conducted with him and my face would light up every time he scored a goal. Naturally, for Christmas of 2011 my mother and father got me a Parise jersey that I would wear at least once a week. As the Devil's captain, Parise was the glue that held the team together during the 2011-2012 season. The team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Los Angeles Kings where they eventually were defeated. As if being beaten in the Stanley Cup was not enough, something awful happened.

On July 4, 2012, a day before my 17 birthday, Zach Parise signed with the Minnesota Wild. My heart was torn in half and I spent 20 minutes crying on my staircase. I know I am not the only person who has ever went through a tragedy as catastrophic as this and trades are clearly not just limited to hockey. If you are an avid sports fan, I am sure you have felt my pain. Here are five thoughts that you have while watching the player you love play on another team:

1. "How could you possibly betray me like this?"

Even though your favorite player probably has absolutely no idea that you exist, you still take it personally when they decide it is time to move on. Every smirk, smile, or sign of joy they display on their face you view as a personal attack on your feelings. You are the United States during the Revolutionary War and they are your Benedict Arnold.

2. "I hope you are benched for the whole season."

Despite being one of the best players on your favorite team last season, you hope that this player miraculously forgets how to play their sport. After one too many goals, hits, touchdowns or baskets missed you start praying they will get sent to the minor leagues or that their position will get changed to "left-out."

3. "Well...at least they might be on my team for the All-Star Game."

Depending on where your player signed with, or got traded to, there is a glimmer of hope they may be playing for someone you can root for again: Your team for the All-Star Game. As soon as their name pops up on your side of the roster, you feel the same spark of happiness that used to light you up when you saw them in action on your team. This almost makes up for the fact they are not on your team anymore. Almost.

4. "What do I do with my jersey?"

While the thought of burning your jersey definitely enters your mind, you realize you can never disrespect your team like that. You watch with sorrowful eyes as you walk into the arena or stadium as people glance at your jersey and reminisce the good old days when that player was on your team. Thanks to this trade you a permanently scarred and apprehensive about purchasing another jersey. After all, what if that player leaves too?

5. "HOW DARE YOU SCORE AGAINST YOUR OLD TEAMMATES!"

Nothing is worse than hearing the announcers voice boom over the speakers of the stadium or exclaim on the television set that your ex favorite player has scored. A burning, angry feeling washes over you and you want nothing more than a large slice of revenge. Naturally you want your team to win no matter what but all of a sudden this game has become a matter of life and death.

Despite the fact I still get bitter over the fact that Zach Parise is not on the Devils anymore, I still respect him as a hockey player and admire his talent. Alas, I have moved on to Adam Henrique but I still feel an ache in my heart when I see the Parise Minnesota Wild jersey on the NHL shop website. I suppose this is just part of what comes along with being a dedicated hockey fan.