Everyone has their favorite team that they support every year as they embark on an 82 game journey where the goal is always to make the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup. It is a difficult task for many teams but I am proud to say that in the past 7 years, my team has won it all 3 times. The team I am describing is my favorite team, The Chicago Blackhawks. Led by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad, Duncan Keith and their goaltender Corey Crawford, the Blackhawks are an elite team that will always keep me on the edge of my seat, especially during the playoffs when the game is going into triple overtime and it’s already midnight and I have a class at 8 in the morning the next day.

But win or lose, the Hawks will always be my team.

I will never forget winning the cup for the first time in 49 years back in 2010. I was an awkward 7th grader who was obsessed with the Blackhawks, in fact, the day after every game the Hawks won I would wear my red Toews jersey to school to show off the victory. When the playoffs rolled around I was always in front of the tv watching the game as the Hawks battled their way towards the Stanley Cup finals. Who could forget Hossa’s overtime winner against Nashville, when Byfuglien’s hat trick in game 3 followed by Toews’ hat trick in game 4, the sweep over San Jose in the conference finals, and of course, in overtime of game 6 when Patrick Kane netted the goal that no one knew went in, except for him. I can remember that moment like it was yesterday, as I saw the team celebrating I knew that puck was in, and that feeling still gives me chills to this day.

Three years later in 2013, that feeling would be renewed as the Blackhawks took down the Bruins in 6 games, where two goals were scored 17 seconds apart. I remember the anxiety I felt as the game came down to the wire and then all of a sudden Bryan Bickell scored to tie up the game, and then 17 seconds later David Bolland netted the game-winning goal that would give the Hawks their 2nd cup in three years. Another amazing moment that made me even more proud to be a Blackhawks fan. Two years later, 2015 rolled around and it is still one of the best years of my life. I graduated high school and was ready to move on into the real world, and of course, the Blackhawks once again prevailed and brought Lord Stanley’s hardware back to Chicago for the 3rd time in 5 years.

That summer was full of memories, but none as amazing as watching the Hawks defeat the Lightning 2-1 back home in Chicago. I remember after the game after the cup was awarded, my dad and I went to Dick’s sporting goods to get a shirt and hat, but a lot of other people had the same idea. In case you’re wondering how packed it was, we waited in line for two hours because the line wrapped around almost the entire store, but as my dad said, it was all worth it because it only added to the amazing memories that were made that night, And the memories would keep on being made. When the time of the parade rolled around, I was mad because I couldn’t get a ticket for the rally at Soldier Field because they sold out ... Within five seconds… but I lucked out because when I went down to Chicago with some friends, this man outside of the stadium gave us his extra tickets to get in, and I was so happy I hugged him and almost cried of happiness. That whole atmosphere in Soldier Field was electric, thousands of Blackhawks fans gathered in one place to celebrate the victory of our favorite team.

So now it is 2017 and our season has already begun. Some old faces are back on the team and some new young players have emerged, many changes have been made but one thing remains the same, and that is our one goal.

Our goal to bring back Lord Stanley’s hardware to Chicago where it belongs.

It is a lot easier than it sounds, but we have a solid team with great players and an even better coach in charge. No matter what happens this season I will always love my team, through all the highs and lows, the close games and the blowouts, I will always love the Blackhawks. Because this team has given me so many amazing memories I will never forget, and I cannot wait for all the memories to come.

Go Blackhawks.