Angelo Esposito found that out in his four year Quebec Major Junior Hockey League career, hearing the boos every time he touched the puck. But Esposito was nothing more than your average draft dodger, opting to join the Quebec Remparts back in 2005 after he was believed to be going the NCAA route.
When you want a true villain who gained hate by on-ice play, there is only one place to look – Hugo Laporte.
The Gatineau Olympiques defenseman may never win the QMJHL’s top defenseman award or the National Hockey League’s Norris Trophy, but Laporte has a legit shot at winning an Academy Award some day as best male actor.
At the 19:00 minute mark of Game One of the QMJHL Quarter-Final series between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Olympiques last year, Laporte crossed the blue line and ran into a backward skating Mike Thomas. The two collided knee-on-knee in what look like an accidental collision.
Play happened at 1:30 of this video:
Thomas was given a five minute major and game misconduct while Laporte, to quote SN’s Bert Richardson, “sat on the ice and held his knee like a train ran over it.”
Laporte managed to make his way off the ice with the support if his teammates.
It was a frustrating time for Sea Dogs fans. At playoff time last year, it was conspiracy theory city involving Thomas’ physical play. If there was a loud noise after a hit, Thomas was likely tossed from the game and often suspended. If it was at all a borderline hit, collision, or action, Thomas was likely to get an extended penalty.
“What the hell do the officials have against Thomas anyways,” writes one commenter on YouTube. “I'm getting tired of seeing Thomas playing a less agressive game trying not to get suspended. I imagine or I hope the they review this call and see it's a bogus call. Play with your heart Mike!!!”
“OMF!!! that was a non-sense misconduct! thomas didnt even move,” writes another. “the other buddy skated into him!”
All the hate, anger, and frustration carried over into the second period as Laporte returned to the ice in fine form.
A villain was born.
Every time Laporte touched the puck following his return, he was booed mercifully. The fans clearly had an effect on Laporte as he was given a misconduct for shoving an official in the third period. “Harbour Station gave a standing ovation to the confused and stunned defenseman,” reports the SN Post-Game from April 3.
All that hate, of course, carried over into Game Two at Harbour Station. Some of the more casual fans could be seen asking why Laporte was booed to the Sea Dogs faithful. Everybody wanted in on the hate.
Twitter became a popular weapon for Laporte fans as the tag #BooLaporte caught on throughout the series and continues to be an inside joke.
Will that hate carry over into tonight’s match? Who knows.
As Andrew McGilligan pointed out on the News 88.9 Sea Dogs post-game show last night, Saint John has always had a smart and aware hockey crowd. But, even so, booing a Gatineau defenseman eight months after the initial play would be impressive.
So tonight, sit back, relax, and boo Laporte.
Photo Credits: David Connell Web Album, David Connell Web Album, David Connell Web Album, KJ McLean
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