The Sens Army may be proud, but we aren't THAT many. When it comes to hockey fan bases in Canada, we're likely in the minority. We have even less well known fans unfortunately, but sometimes that can be a good thing right? Ya I'm looking at you Leafs fan Mike Myers and The Love Guru. But there are some high profile Sens fans out there and today we talk to one of them. Welcome MTV's Aliya-Jasmine to Sens Town, where she talks hockey, Ottawa and being a Sens fan in enemy territory.
Sens Town: So you grew up in Ottawa, what were your first memories of the Senators?
Aliya-Jasmine: I remember when Scotiabank Place was the Corel Center, and when fans loved Damian Rhodes behind the pipes! Haha. I remember when Brad Marsh was out there with no helmet on. That’s how old-school I am.
ST: Would you say you're a die hard Sens fan? Or more of a casual fan?
AJ: I used to be a die hard fan when I lived in Ottawa…now I’m more a casual NHL fan in general. But by default because I’m always on the defence about being a Sens fan – I live in Toronto so I am continuously ridiculed – I think I deserve credit for repping the Sens in Maple Leaf territory.
ST: I agree, shoutout to you. Do you watch most games or just check the scores out? Or are you a highlight kinda girl?
AJ: I watch full games. Jay Onrait and the boys at TSN do a great job, but I LOVE going to a sports bar and watching on the big screen.
ST: So who are your all time top 5 favorite Sens and why?
AJ: Chara, Spezza, Alfredson, Redden, Fisher ….The first 4 represent the core of the best Sens team I ever cheered for, and I think all the ladies know why Fisher is on that list. And I can I also add Jacques Martin in there? I know he’s not a player but really wish he was still our guy.
AJ: I think the politically correct thing to say here is Yashin. If I have to explain why, you’re not a Sens fan.
ST: So what are your best memories from going to games in person? Anything special come to mind?
AJ: OMG yes – when we made the playoffs for the first time. My sister and I begged my parents to bring us and all we could get were tix in the nosebleed section – it was SO fun. The crowd was maniacal.
ST: Do you get to many games now living in Toronto?
AJ: I don’t get to many games in Toronto, I only like watching “PRO” games ;) #diss. No for real, I usually get tickets to Maple Leafs games not Sens games…and there’s no need to watch the leaves fall when it’s not Autumn.
ST: Shots fired by Aliya-Jasmine Toronto! So what's the best story you have about a battle of Ontario game? You must have some interesting one's living in toronto with annoying Leaf fans.
AJ: I always get boo’d wearing a Sens logo in Toronto, it’s so mean!
ST: No accounting for taste I suppose. So what's the best food to eat at a hockey game?
AJ: Hot dogs!!!!!!
ST: Beer, wine or hard liquor at a game?
AJ: Beer, out of a straw…not that I drink alcohol, but if I did… ;)
ST: What did you think of our horrible 2010-11 season?
AJ: I can’t believe Brian Murray still has a job, I took a year off from watching the NHL. I’ve promised myself to get back into it and believe again next season, but I think the team needs a shake up.
ST: Thoughts on the Fisher trade? To me it was the first big core player to be moved and a sign of the changing times.
AJ: I think he moved to the south and followed his heart, like a good country song.
ST: How much Sens swag do you own? I know I've seen a few pictures of you in a jersey and Sens tank top.
AJ: I have a few Sens tee’s, a mug, a key chain, and an old hockey helmet from a McDonalds happy meal that I have on my desk at MTV! Always reppin’ the Sens.
ST: Would you ever want to work doing something in hockey?
AJ: I used to have a segment on MTV called “Jock Talk” where we’d go in to dressing rooms and interview NHL players, my favorite one was with Jason Spezza and we talked about how his “stick was a woody” hahaha. I think he’s the only guy in the league that still plays with a wooden stick… Brian McGrattan taught me how to punch out Daryn Jones. Useful stuff. . I wish I could still do that segment – or do something like it.
ST: Speaking of Daryn Jones, what happened to Mista Mo?
AJ: He turned into Nicole Holness.
ST: What is you're all time favorite hockey moment?
AJ: At the Vancouver Olympic Games when Canada won Gold….such a good moment! All of us working in TV literally, lost it.
ST: What's you best/favorite game you've ever attended in person?
AJ: I was on White Ave. in Edmonton when the Oilers were in the Stanley Cup Final a few years back – and we followed around the Stanley Cup. Those were killer games.
ST: If the Sens could get any player in the NHL, who would you want them to go get and why?
AJ: I love Iginla and even though he’s the poster boy for the Flames I think he’d really make our team roar. Obviously Id love to see Crosby on our team…and as for non-Canadian boys, I wish Chara would come back. I miss him!
ST: Favorite athlete you've ever interviewed?
AJ: Jason Spezza is always my fave hockey interview, he’s rolls with the punches, isn’t afraid to let loose, and throws back sexual innuendo’s as if I was talking straight up about hockey. He’s fun.
ST: Tell us something we might not expect about you hockey wise.
AJ: I cry when they cut to a shot of the goalie on the losing team of a big game, goalie’s break my heart, they have so much weight on their shoulders. It actually hurts my soul hahaha!
ST: And finally, what in your opinion is the best song to get you pumped up at a hockey game?
AJ: Duhhhhh….the feeling of the whole place vibrating to “we will, we will, rock you.” And you cannot go wrong playing any GNR song at a hockey game…or anywhere else for that matter!
ST: Excellent choice, very old school!
Aliya-Jasmine can be seen daily on MTV News and is the host of 1 girl 5 gays, which airs Fridays at 11pm eastern on MTV Canada. You can follow her on twitter @AliyaJasmine , add her on facebook by clicking here and and check her out at aliya-jasmine.com
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