CBJ FANsided Friday: Stacy Lewis!
Welcome to this edition of CBJ FANSided Friday! In this series we will post a short interview with a fan from the Blue Jackets community and ask them about their Jackets fandom. We interviewed Stacy Lewis, a huge Ryan Murray fan! Stacy is a mother of 2 little die hard Blue Jacket fans. She is a twitter addict, t-shirt collector, and selfie queen.
Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
U&B: When did you first become a Blue Jackets fan, and what drew you towards the team?
I went to my very first Blue Jackets game in December of 2000. It was the Blue Jackets vs. Bruins. I grew up in a very strict household where we were not allowed to watch TV. My mom is from Moscow and was raised differently so she raised us the same. My sister and I spent our summers and a few weeks in the winter in Boston with my dad, and while he generally stuck to my moms rules, he allowed us to watch the Bruins on TV. I remember just being completely in awe of the sport and fell in love. He’d take us to Bruins games and I felt like that was the greatest thing ever. Joe Thornton was like God in our house.
When my mom decided to go back to Moscow, my dad moved to Ohio for a new job so we moved in with him. It was all Bruins all the time. My dad told me they were going to have a professional team in Columbus and the first game we’d go to was against the Bruins. The atmosphere of the arena was electric. That’s what drew me in. The fans were amazing. Then Rick Nash came along and he was my age and so talented so we became season ticket holders and went to almost every game the next four seasons. Then I started having kids and wasn’t able to go anymore, but every time the Blue Jackets and Bruins play my dad is there.
Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
U&B: Who is your favorite Blue Jackets player on the current roster?
Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows this without a second thought. Ryan Murray. He’s so talented. Murray and James Wisniewski together on the ice is magic. Every game I post if Ryan Murray scores I’ll buy everyone ice cream, after I come back to consciousness from being so excited. This team has so much talent though its hard to say he’s my favorite. Johansen is absolutely incredible. Boone Jenner is an absolute beast. I’m a very proud member of Boones Goons on Twitter. I wear my Boones Goons shirt almost every game, it’s a winning shirt. I have a Murray’s Minions shirt also. I’m a bit of a t shirt collector.
U&B: If you could choose the teams next captain right now, who would it be?
Well when they signed Horton, I knew right then they were at some point in time going to make him captain. As a Bruins fan I’d followed him, so when he signed in Columbus I was extremely excited. He has the right leadership qualities on and off the ice but he hasn’t really gotten the opportunity to prove to everyone else what he can do. But now that he’s playing, I think people are seeing what I’ve seen for years. I’m also rooting for Nick Foligno to be captain. He’s the definition of a leader and I think he’d be a great captain.
U&B: Who is your favorite team to see the Jackets beat, and why?
Definitely the Washington Capitals. I have a very deep hatred for Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson so anytime they beat them I’m very happy. Also the Redwings due to the fact they are loaded with talent and are so good it’s ridiculous. They’re just too good.
U&B: How do you feel about the start to the season/where do you think the CBJ will finish this year?
I think the season started like it usually does. They were loaded with injuries but the boys battled through it. The rookies (Murray and Jenner) stepped up and impressed me. Johansen has just been tearing it up. Now that Horton’s playing they’ve improved. Jenner-Johansen-Horton on one line is just amazing. I believe in this team. I believe they can make the playoffs. They are the underdogs and it took an 8 game win streak to show others what I already knew. This team can win, they just have to battle every game and that’s what they’ve been doing. I definitely see them making the playoffs.