.png)
Sports fans show their support by cheering on their favourite team and for one Winnipegger, he takes his support to a whole new level.
Dan Nolin has been an avid Winnipeg Jets fan for several years. Not only does he enjoy watching the game, but also brings joy to Winnipeggers during the playoffs in his 1971 Chevy Vega wagon.
"I just started with a Jet sticker, logos on the side and it was spring playoff, so it's like, 'Oh, let's take the hot rod out.' And I had a Winnipeg Jet plate, so I put it on the car and the rest his history."
Come game day, Nolin said he would be out driving the streets showing his support. "I'm going to be out making lots of noise on the streets. The car has sirens and air horns on it. It's loud. You'll hear me and see me."
Each year the decorations on the car have grown and grown, but Nolin wouldn't have it any other way. "It's a blast every year. Wherever I go, they're shooting videos and pictures. It's a blast. The smiles you see and people being happy and yelling and cheering. It's an experience that I have people who want to ride a shotgun with me all the time."
Photos and videos have circulated on social media, well beyond Winnipeg. "I got one guy on Facebook coming from Australia. I've never met him, all I know is he's coming. He's seen a picture of my car and he, he said, 'Mate, I'd love to be in that car,' so I'm going to make it happen."
Nolin says that getting the celebrity treatment has been flattering and has led to going to several road games, including Nashville and St. Louis. "St. Louis, we were treated like rock stars there. So I'm really hoping that we get to play there this year because there's a friend out there who's decked out in St. Louis."
While the support Nolin shows for the Jets has gone global, the hockey club has also taken notice. "All over the place, they share my photos. When we're driving by, people are laughing, smiling, and taking videos, and pictures. Every day you look online and somebody's got you here or the news media's got you there. So it's pretty flattering. It's just total fun."
Nolin expressed that he never imagined his support would take off the way it did, but is enjoying each moment bringing smiles to Winnipegger's faces.
When it comes down to his predictions, Nolin has one request, "I'm happy they made it to the playoffs. Go deeper. But whatever happens, happens. I'm not going to be disappointed."