Good bye!

Dear San Jose Sharks Management and Players,

I am writing you today to inform you that you are now "FIRED" as my team of choice to support and root for in the NHL. This decision has been a difficult one for me to make, but I feel it is the correct decision for both parties, given the current circumstances.

I have been an avid (and sometimes rabid) fan of the Sharks since their days at the Cow Palace and have always supported them as a team, regardless of their ability to make the playoffs or advance in them.

I haven't lived in Northern California in at least 10 years, and I still supported the Sharks wherever I lived. Kansas, Texas and now Indiana, the Sharks were always my team. If I came back home to visit family and friends, I would always try to attend a Sharks game. Of those games I attended, The Sharks won approximately 35% of them. I thought it was me being there that brought bad luck, but we all know how untrue those types of statements are.

Last night's elimination from the playoffs clinched my decision to let you go. Before I totally slam the door on you, I feel that its important to let you know how proud I was of the Teal and Black when you won the Presidents Cup.

However, as important as that trophy and accomplishment may be, a first round exit to the 8th seed in the playoffs this year is as much of an embarrassment as the Sharks could ever have and as much as I can take as a fan. What happened to the team that dominated October and November? What happened to the team that was so far ahead in points, no one would catch them? A simple answer; They didn't show up. Gone was Thornton, Marleau and Nabby for the first two games, much was dependant on them and their ability to dominate at the Shark tank. By the time they had shown up, it was simply "too little, too late".

While I know you will have plenty of support in future years from the Bay Area and even areas a bit beyond, you will no longer have my support. If I wanted to live with a sense of "we can do it this year" only to watch a team fail, I would watch the Chicago Cubs.

Goodbye, good luck and good riddance.

Sincerely,

Don Walker (former Sharks fan)