"If there's no fans, there's no game, right?"
That quote came from Louis Leblanc during a recent interview, and made me think about the relationship between the clubs, players, and fans on an international level.
In Europe in general, and Germany in particular, a loud audience is instrumental to the whole fan experience. No matter the sport. German teams have the best fans (as many scouts, friends, and visiting clubs have attested), even though the quality of the hockey doesn't merit such passion.
On a trip through Europe in December, I started to pay more attention to the different fans in the stands and the relationship they have with the clubs, players, and opposing fans.