Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

April 22, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The MLS season is in full swing with the Vancouver Whitecaps positioned first at the top of the table with 16 points. The Whitecaps core group have come up big with late dramatic wins in dramatic fashion against Chicago, Orlando, Portland, and most recently Real Salt Lake this past Saturday.



While the Whitecaps young and talented squad is making fantastic strides under Carl Robinson, it's the tenant next door to BC Place that's grabbing all the attention and headlines. The Vancouver Canucks are down 3-1 in the Stanley Cup playoffs to their bitter rivals, the Calgary Flames. One particular Whitecaps player who has an eye on the NHL playoffs is a former St. John's University Red Storm defender.



Tim Parker is without a shadow of a doubt the biggest NHL fan among the Vancouver Whitecaps players. The Hicksville, New York native, lives and breathes with his beloved New York Rangers. Despite being from Long Island, the 22 year-old explains how he came to cheer and support the hated Broadway Blue Shirts instead of his hometown New York Islanders.



"My Dad is actually from the New York Metropolitan area. I grew up on Long Island, but not as an Islanders fan, but as a Rangers fan. I think just growing up you follow whatever team your father does so that's how I ended up becoming a Rangers fan."



Supporting the @NYRangers in Vancouver ! let's go ! #BleedBlue #NYR — Tim Parker (@Tim_Parker26) April 20, 2015 Tim Parker's hockey playing skills do not compare with his abilities on the pitch and that's a good thing because he was drafted 13th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Some of Parker's family members have played NCAA hockey for Stony Brook University. Whether it's lacing up the skates on a cold winters day or watching Henrik Lundqvist stone wall the opposition, Parker and his family have always enjoyed the sport of hockey.



"I actually played hockey when I was younger and I have a family background in hockey. A bunch of my cousins played hockey. I just like the grit, the competition, the athleticism that all the guys have and just the speed of the game."



Tactics, offside traps, break out plays, diving, and always arguing the with the referees decision are just a few similarities between hockey and soccer. The goal is pretty much the same. You must end up with more balls or pucks in your opponents net by the final whistle. As a centre-back Parker is primarily focused on making sure no balls end up in the back of his goalkeepers net.



"I think at times you can see it defending wise. You see guys willing to put their bodies on the line to either score goals or defend goals. I think blocking shots is huge, and the speed in which they change angles is kind of similar, but I think it's a little bit harder on skates."



Parker has received a bit of good-natured trash talking on social media this week as he shows his support for the New York Rangers. Most Whitecaps fans who follow hockey are cheering for the Canucks. Parker would like to see the Canucks do well, but he is sticking to his favourite team despite the critics.



"I would love for Vancouver to do well, but I have to stay true to my roots and be a Rangers fan."



One Whitecaps defender who is not ready to show any support to the Vancouver Canucks is Sam Adekugbe. The Manchester, England native moved to Calgary, Alberta at the age of 9. Adekugbe admits that he isn't the biggest hockey fan, but he sounds willing to hitch a spot on the Flames bandwagon for now.



"Since they are playing the Vancouver Canucks I should support Calgary in a sense. I would say I'm a fan for right now. If they lose and the Canucks go on, then I'll support the Canucks, but I'm not a full on fan."



It's pretty much the flavour of the week for Sam when it comes to supporting a hockey team and following the NHL playoffs. The 20 year-old Adekugbe only attend his first NHL game a few weeks ago and he is already impressed by the skating and movements on the ice.



"It's crazy to see how generally quick they are. It's obviously a lot different to soccer, but they way they glide on their skates. I don't skate, but in terms of cutting and gaining power through their legs it's a lot different, it's unique."



If the New York Rangers and New York Islanders both advance from the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs both teams will face each other in the next round. Tim Parker is already charging up his phone for all the banter and trash talking that could ensure within his family and friends on Long Island.



Sam Adekugbe might not be able to recognize Johnny Gaudreau if he was to run into him at a Tim Hortons before Game 5, but that's not stopping him from throwing down some Flames banter.



"I had a bit of banter with some of the guys who do watch hockey in the medical staff. I'll throw a bit of trash talk there because I know they're (Calgary) playing and winning in the series. Why not have a bit of banter?."



In a crazy hockey market like Vancouver you are always certain to find a hockey fan in an unlikely place. Tim Parker and Sam Adekugbe have very different levels of interest and NHL support. The playoffs are a great way to bring a special side interest to the forefront for just a little while in a long and grueling MLS season.