NHLer's Have Long Supported America's Favorite Non-Professional Sports Franchise By Carl Rakki Killingworth Town Kryer
Sabre's Captain, Chris Drury beat out Guppies defenseman Rob Murphy for the 1994 CT High School scoring title.

05/21/2006 - The Killingworth Guppies are no strangers to finding fan support from outside the greater Killingworth area. However, they were recently surprised to find out how far and how high it actually reaches. The month of May is normally one of the most active months for hockey fans. Not only are the NHL Playoffs in full gear but the World Championships are at their peak as well. So, how does a team like the Killingworth Guppies get their share of hockey viewers pie. Well, it's not easy stated Guppies spokesman Shasta McNasty "We are a few levels off the NHL and other professional leagues but some how we manage to hold our own against the big boys".

Not only do the Guppies hold their own but they receive support from the professional players as well!

Sabre's forward and team captain Chris Drury is a Guppies fan and has been for the past few seasons. "I try to keep up with the Fish via the internet" stated Drury in a recent interview "Being from Connecticut and having watched some of those guys play ice back in the day, it's great to see what they have accomplished even at the "Beer League" level." Drury has had some brushes with current Guppie players. In 1994 Drury beat out, current Guppies defenseman and former Newington High School forward, Rob Murphy for the 1994 CT high school hockey scoring title. As Rob Murphy often puts it "there is a huge difference from finishing in first as opposed to finishing second". Chris has a Stanley Cup ring and is making another push for the cup and I'm playing defense with (Brian) Kelly" explained Murphy. A huge difference in deed!

Chris Drury isn't the only Connecticut NHL product that keeps up with the Guppies. Former Conn Smythe Trophy winner and NHL Rookie of the Year, Brian Leetch is a Guppies fan. "I think I've heard of them" stated Leetch. That's good enough for many of the current Guppie players " Hey, he may of heard of us" stated Guppies defenseman Dan Pequita "That's better than saying I never heard of these guys!"

Former Hartford Whaler and current Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Glen Wesley has also recently admitted to being a part of "Guppies Nation". Wesley first heard of the Guppies during the team's stint at the 1995 Whalers Alumni tournament. "I remember thinking to myself these guys a bunch of ankle benders" stated Wesley "When I looked closer, I realized that they had some talent and that (Marc) Crayton was the only ankle bender on the team."   he continued "Oh, and I remember thinking to myself that guy Armenia, is like a pylon out there"  Despite his first impression Wesley rediscovered the Guppies in 2002 and has been following them ever since. "I've been surprised about the recent success who knew they had it in them".

Finally, L. A. Kings forward Derek Armstrong (Army) has kept tabs on the Guppies since his playing days with the NY Rangers AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolf Pack. "I don't remember how I heard about the Guppies, but I liked their style and have been a fan since 2001". When we mentioned to Army that he and several former teammates Marc Savard, PJ Stock and Brent Thompson, partied with a few of the Guppies at a house party back in 1998 he replied "I did? Well, I don't remember." he continued "Obviously, Linskey wasn't their because I'm sure I would have remember him, throwing knives or cross dressing"

So, as the Guppies make the push for the B-League Championship they can rest assured that not only is the town Killingworth pulling for them, but that some of the NHL's finest are rooting for them as well.