His Name is Earl.

“Naw, it just ain’t the same, eh”.

Ol' Earl in the Park

Meet Ol' Earl, as he likes to be called. Earl's a hockey fan, more specifically, an ardent, die-hard Leaf fan. He eats, sleeps and breathes the Leafs each and every game, all season long. All he ever talks about is his Leafs. Most of all, he recalls the good of days when his team ruled the league. Championships. Stanley Cups. Glory days. Winners each and everyone. Ask him any question about his team and he'll recite stats and information quicker than a googler.

The last time I met him, Ol' Earl was in a sour mood. Forty years of disappointment and frustration were beginning to take a toll. The quest for Lord Stanley's Cup was over for yet another year, his beloved Leafs had once again missed a chance at the playoffs. And of course the tension was immense, down to the wire action, last minute elimination. When will this finally end. Oh the pain.

I asked him whom he was rooting for, now that his team has been eliminated. In his usual growl he replied; "Naw!, I don't watch any other team, as far as I'm concerned, once the Leafs are dun, hockey's finished for the season. Hockey without the Leafs just ain’t hockey, so what's the sense, eh".

Yet, even in his deepest despair, he promised that next season would be much better. Next season, we’ll all have something to cheer about.

We met again yesterday and Ol' Earl had a big smile on his face. Earl was bubbling over with joy. He just couldn't wait to tell me all the good news about the Leafs. "Lots of changes", he gleamed. "We just re-signed our captain. Changes in Management. New players. The front office 'powers to be' have some great ideas and the whole organization feels confident to finally end the starvation and fulfill the dream of Leaf fans, everywhere. Next year, it’s The Cup, for sure”.

Now this, is good news. When he finished his enthusiastically detailed update and just as I was about to leave, he motioned for me to come back. "And one more thing buddy" he announced, in a confident tone of voice, "this time next year, you'll be the sorry lot, sittin’ here on this bench, cryin’ in your beer, and I'll be baskin' in the glory of victory and another Stanley Cup for the Leafs. You'll see".

A shining example of never-ending hope, eternal optimism, supreme loyalty and the continuing life long pursuit of a dream. Good luck Earl.

Good Luck.