By Jake Ricker
Our Twitter page is currently closing in on 3K followers, which got us thinking about all our amazing followers. So it's time for another edition of Meet Bolts Nation, where we explore all the amazing fans worldwide and their stories. If you want to be featured in one of our future installments of Meet Bolts Nation, tweet us @BoltReport_TB with your pitch and the #MeetBoltsNation. Today, we meet Paul Driscoll.
Becoming a Lightning Fan
At just four years old, Paul attended his first Lightning game at none other than Expo Hall in the Lightning's inaugural season. But Paul says it wasn't until the late 90s/early 2000s that he really became a fan of what he called "the greatest sport on the planet."
Paul's Dad used to be in charge of the Tampa police department officers who worked events at the arena. His dad would often get tickets for Paul, his freinds, and his sister to go. With his dad already at the games working as an off-duty cop and getting to experience the Lightning firsthand, Paul became hooked.
"It’s an accurate statement to say Amalie Arena (and its other names) has been a second home for me for most of my life," said Driscoll
Attending those games with his friends and sister is a core memory for Paul. He says he truly got to see the fanbase grow into the Bolts Nation we know today.
Favorite Player
When asked about his favorite player, Paul's original favorite was Vincent Lecavailer.
"He helped guide the organization to winning consistently," said Driscoll. "I just fell in love with his game, how we played, and the fact that a little 'ol hockey team in Tampa had a great, young player."
His current favorite, though? Anthony Cirelli!
"If I was a player, we’d probably have similar styles and personalities; love his ability to get under the opposition’s skin."
Favorite Game Attended
Living in Tampa, Paul has been to many games, and picking his favorite was no easy task. He says cup-clinching games are obviously as they are a no-brainer, as some of his favorites. Paul was in attendance, or at least at Amalie the bubble run in 2020, for each of the Lightning's Stanley Cup wins.
His favorite merchandise even comes from these games. A 2020 STM Fan Replica Ring and a piece of the net from the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
"Watching them go back-to-back and win their third Cup on home ice with Blair (Paul's Wife) was one of the best days of my life," said Driscoll.
One other game that Paul mentioned as one of his favorites was in 2011 when the Lightning faced a 3-0 deficit to the Boston Bruins in game 4 of the Easter Conference Finals. But thanks to Teddy Purcell (x2), Sean Bergenheim, Simon Gagne, and Marty St. Louis, the Lightning scored five unanswered goals to win the game.
The series got even better when Paul was in attendance for game six against the Bruins and had a front-row seat to seeing Steven Stamkos put the Lightning up 4-2 just 24 seconds into the third period.
(Paul in the blue shirt celebrating Steven Stamkos's goal in the 2011 ECF against the Bruins)
Being a part of Bolts Nation
Bolts Nation has quickly become one of the largest growing fanbases in the NHL, and Paul has been right at the forefront of it all. When asked about some of his favorite memories from the Bolts, Paul mentioned taking Blair to her first game in 2010 on one of their first games and watching her fall in love with Hockey.
When asked what Paul enjoys most about the Lightning, he talked about being a part of a community that all wants the same objective: winning a Stanley Cup and rooting for a team and organization that makes you proud.
"I’ve made countless friends through the years because of the Lightning and love the atmosphere that’s been created inside Amalie Arena, as well as the spirit of Bolts Nation that you can feel well beyond Tampa," said Driscoll.
When asked about what he enjoys about being a part of Bolts Nation, Paul said it is the fanbase's excitement, energy, and Passion. He went on to say he loves the many great conversations that this channel has provided through the years.
Thank you so much to Paul for talking with us about his fandom and what he loves about Bolts Nation. If you want to follow Paul, you can find him on Twitter (aka X) @ThePaulDriscoll. And if you want to be the next profile in Meet Bolts Nation, send us a DM @BoltReport_TB on Twitter!
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