A reason to come together: Family from India discovers passion for hockey during Winnipeg Jets playoff run

With his family decked out in Winnipeg Jets gear and gathered around the TV to watch the game, you'd never know Sijo Joseph watched his first Winnipeg Jets game just a little over a month ago.

"I'd never seen a game before but people always talk about it. When you go to work or when you go to shopping malls, or wherever you are, everybody wants to talk about the Jets game," said Joseph.

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He came to Winnipeg from India 12 years ago and now calls the city home. He had never experienced an icy winter before then, and didn't know much about hockey.

With the city abuzz over the NHLplayoffs, Joseph started watching the Jets when they took on the Minnesota Wild in the first playoff round in April a series the Jets won in five games.

"From there on, I always follow it," he said.

The Jets are now facing the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final, after knocking out the Nashville Predators in the second round.

'It's that spirit'

His wife and twosons, ages sixand three,now have their own Jets jerseys. He's invited his extended family and friends to join them in watching the games.

It connects people well, regardless of ethnic background, regardless of language and colour.- SijoJoseph

"They are all from India and they'd never seen a game before, but they are all hardcore fans now."

Joseph recently went to a couple of whiteout street parties downtown and says the feeling in the crowd is a familiar one.

"I felt like I'm back home it's full of people, full of energy. It's really a good place to be."

While he's still learning the game, Joseph says being a Jets fan is about more than just a love of the sport.

"It's not just a game, it's that spirit [that the] game bringsin.You feel that you are a trueWinnipeggerafter seeing it," Joseph said.

"Of course they are a very good team now, especially in playoffs, but that energy, that spirit that brings into the city that's the most thing I like.It connects people well, regardless of ethnic background, regardless of language and colour."

'We are passionate about it'

Xavier Louis, a lifelong friend of Joseph'swhoalso came to Winnipeg from India, now joins in the hockey-watching parties. Hesays watching hockey hasbrought his family together, just as it has many others throughout the city and across the country.

"This is amazing, because this is a multicultural society and now we have a single reason for all of us to come together and celebrate," said Louis.

He says he started watching hockey this past season when he and his family were learning to skate.

"We started learning the rules and now we are completely into it, we are passionate about it."

This is amazing, because this is a multicultural society and now we have a single reason for all of us to come together and celebrate.- Xavier Louis

When they first arrived, Louis and his family weren't used to the cold Winnipeg wintersand he says they would hibernate during the winter monthsbut not anymore.

"Now the winters, we have something to look into. Once the winter starts, the game starts.Now we have lots of friends coming together, we have reason to kind of come together and have a party," he said.

"Nobody talks about winter and how difficult it iseverybody talks about Jets and how far they are going."

Both Louis and Joseph say their new-found love for the team won't end with this playoff run.

"I'll be still continuing to watch because it's just that relationship with the cityand the team," said Joseph.

"This is the real time where people will identify Winnipeg and will start talking about Winnipeg, so I'm really proud to be a Winnipegger."

New hockey fans cheer on the Winnipeg Jets

6 years ago

Duration 2:16

People are rallying around the Winnipeg Jets as they make their way toward the Stanley Cup final.But many people who are new to this country and new to hockey are discovering the team for the first time.

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