Josh Morrissey remembers seeing the city come alive like never before.
Aged nine during the Calgary Flames’ run in the spring of 2004, he was amazed by the exploits of Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kirpusoff.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Morrissey, now a star defenseman with the Winnipeg Jets. The entire city lived to the rhythm of victories and defeats. »
Hockey fans across Canada are once again gearing up for a busy spring with ups and downs.
The Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs will try to end the more than 30-year drought of Canadian teams in the NHL playoffs.
Morrissey was too young to go to the “Red Mile” after Flames games 20 years ago, but he felt the energy throughout his hometown.
That’s what makes the experience so special in Canadian cities, because it represents something so important to people. It’s a special time of year. The longer your run, the crazier the energy.
Josh Morrissey
“I know for me as a kid it meant a lot. »
Canadian teams have not won the Stanley Cup since 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens lifted it for a 24th time.e times. Since then, the Canucks (twice), the Flames, the Oilers, the Canadiens and the Senators have all reached the final, without however managing to finish the job.
This is the first time since 2017 that at least four Canadian teams have qualified for the playoffs.
Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy, who grew up in suburban Edmonton, remembers the Oilers’ run to the final in 2006.
“People were driving around with flags in their car windows,” he said. It was everywhere. »
He added that it would be “crazy” to bring the Cup back to Canada.
PHOTO BOB FRID, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Carson Soucy
I think the support is felt across Canada, except perhaps in the case of a rivalry or two. I think Canadians are happy to see so many teams making the playoffs.
Carson Soucy
Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon was a Canucks fan growing up and was living in Vancouver when the team lost Game 7 of the 2011 Finals to the Boston Bruins.
“There’s nothing like the NHL playoffs in Canada,” he said. It unites everyone. »
Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen, who grew up in Abbotsford, British Columbia, also remembers the euphoria of the journey in 2011, but also the heartbreaking ending.
“The riot,” he said simply. It’s not the greatest memory, but it’s a memory. »
PHOTO BOB FRID, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Rick Tocchet
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet won the Stanley Cup as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992. He stressed that the team that brings the precious trophy back to Canada will be celebrated for a long time.
It will be quite a party. The whole country will probably rally behind you.
Rick Tocchet
Like many Canadian fans over the past 30 years, Morrissey was heartbroken when the Flames lost Game 7 of the 2004 final to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I remember how disappointed I was,” he said.
But he also remembers the good times during the journey.
“I still talk about it with my friends. These are memories to last a lifetime,” insisted Morrissey.
A Stanley Cup Final triumph would probably be even more memorable.
With journalistic contributions from Judy Owen in Winnipeg, Gemma Karstens-Smith in Vancouver and Steven Sandor in Edmonton.