True Story: When I was a kid, my grandpa showed me the emblem of the Montreal Canadians and with a solemnity said: "Do you see this "H"? It stands for "Hector". That's me. You see this "C"? It stands for "Cutforth". That's you. You see these colours? It stands for family. That's us."*

At least, that's what I tell people when I'm cornered in public about my hat in response to their gruff grilling, "Are you really a fan of Montreal?"

Now in Toronto the Good, I have yet to get a proper butt-kicking for wearing the enemy's colours on home-turf, like I would if I was traipsing around in Philadelphia; yet, I get many bewildered stares and some downright harrumphs sent my way by Leafs' fans . If looks could kill...

At first I didn't get why people were behaving so rudely to me on the subway or on the street. The truth of the matter is I don't watch hockey (my father being a rabid fan turned me off the game long ago). I just wear the hat because it keeps my head warm and was incidentally found within groping reach inside my closet. Take my advice: Don't be a hater, be a hatter.

*I took this talk to heart just like I also believed my grandpa when he told me he worked as a double secret agent.