Since around 1990 when I first started following hockey, I've been a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks. I'm not a \"fair-weather\" fan at all...they went through many years of being a poor team, and I stuck with them, and finally won the Cup two years ago.
The reason I started following the NHL was by going to IHL games, and watching my home team, the Fort Wayne Komets who are celebrating their 60th year...although they're now in the CHL (Central Hockey League) who merged with the reborn IHL.
http://www.komets.com/
Kind of a funny story about the Komets. In 1993, although I didn't buy a season ticket, I went to every home game, and even went to Indianapolis and Kalamazoo to see some of the away games. The Komets made it to the playoffs, and I made it to every home playoff game. We made the finals and I went to every final playoff game. It came down to the very last game of the chamionship...and my daughter decided it was time to be born. Daughter was born almost the same time the Komets hoisted the Turner Cup, it was the only home game of the season I missed. Just a very tiny bit bittersweet...lol.
Red Wings are the arch enemy of the Blackhawks, but one of my favorite current players is Marian Hossa who played for the Wings...but is now a Blackhawk.