As the Phoenix Coyotes continued their Rookie Camp yesterday, the fans had a very unique reaction to the youngest prospect of the franchise. They recognized Peter Mueller and Blake Wheeler, but when it came to Kyle Turris, they clamored for his attention.

And he was very happy to oblige.

Turris will not be wearing a Phoenix Coyotes sweater for a year, possibly two; however, Coyotes fans are truly starved for anything positive, anything to help them be proud of a team that has underperformed in the last few seasons.

While I think Turris will be one of the strong players for the future, and I firmly think the future of the Coyotes is a bright one indeed, placing extreme pressure on Turris to be the savior of the franchise can be misplaced.

Not because he will be a bad player, or that he’ll flame out becoming a loser on or off the ice (his comments to the press have been a very good indicator of the measure of the man he is and will become); because if he doesn’t perform up to the early expectations to the fans, what will be the reaction then?

As with every casual fan, and as with most observers, heavy criticism will come his way.

That’s the nature of the NHL I guess; the sense of “what have you done for me lately?” permeates throughout and I’m guilty of it too, which is why I’m trying to temper my own enthusiasm and also show that there are others who might be strong players for our franchise. Hockey is still a team sport.

Hockey fans that arrive in the Valley, come from places that could be stronger hockey strongholds. Several fans wear sweaters of other teams, and I learned yesterday that the Red Wing must be one of the Seven Wonders of the Hockey World and it must be true. Because a fan on television in a Red Wing jersey threw his hat on the ice of Jobing.com arena after Tomas Holmstrom scored his hat trick.

Therefore, I think it’s important to remember that these prospects have a dream, to play in the NHL, to be the best player ever, and to possibly win a Stanley Cup while doing it. They are placing enough expectations on themselves to succeed and to achieve their dreams.

Hopefully, all we want is for them to do well.

Original post by PB

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