The Story Behind Winnipeg’s Biggest Jets Fan

The Story Behind Winnipeg’s Biggest Jets Fan

Okay, there are a lot of people who could very rightfully defend the title of being Winnipeg’s biggest Jets fan. SO many people have an unwavering passion for the team and show it every time they’re watching a game at home and screaming encouragement at the TV, or joining into the a Go Jets Go chants around MTS Centre, or supporting their team by wearing a Jets jersey or hat no matter where they’re vacationing to signal to other Winnipeggers they might encounter that there’s a kindred spirit in a crowd of strangers.

Yes, there are a lot of people who love the Winnipeg Jets, but one person who should be singled out is 98-year-old, die-hard Jets Fan, Len “Kropi” Kropioski.

Who is Kropi?

If you’re not familiar with the name, that’s okay. You probably know him better for something else. If you’ve ever been to a Winnipeg Jets home game you’ve probably noticed at the end of the Oh Canada the cameras always find their way to a man wearing a Jets hat and jacket covered in pins, saluting throughout the album. THAT is Kropi.

Maclean’s magazine has done a really great article about this true Winnipeg Jets fan, which you can read by clicking here.

The Greatest Kropi Jets Moment

Briefly mentioned in the Maclean’s article is Kropi’s first game back after missing a chunk of the season due to health concerns. That game was one of my most memorable moments at MTS Centre. In addition to my amazing job at KiSS FM, I also work for the Winnipeg Jets doing in-game announcing and playing contests with the fans. One of the games we play during the Jets season is called Fan vs. Fan where to passionate Jets fans yell, dance, and make a big scene by competing against an equally excited Jets fan to see who is the BIGGER fan. Based on audience applause one fan wins the contest.

Kropi consistently makes the 2.5 hour drive from Kenora for every Jets home game. He is always there no matter what. So last season when Kropi stopped showing up, people got worried. In the Maclean’s article they mention Kropi was dealing with some health issues. When he came BACK for his first game in months it was a particularly special night. During the Fan vs. Fan Contest the very first fan selected for the contest was none other than Kropi! He smiled and waved at the camera and the crowd WENT WILD.

Then it was time to show the second fan and the second camera fired up with a new angle, but still showing Kropi! The crowd ERUPTED in applause and cheers. Kropi had been waving, but his wave faltered and he raised his hand to his face to wipe away tears of happiness. Cut back to camera one and the crowd is still cheering. By the time they cut back to camera two Kropi was overcome with emotion and then one of the classiest things I’ve seen at MTS Centre happened. The players on the ice and on the bench, both the Jets and the visiting Ottawa Senators, began thumping their sticks on the ice in a tribute to Kropi! The tribute continued even after the contest was done with the players and fans cheering for Kropi, delaying the next puck drop for a few seconds as one-and-all paid tribute to a true fan of the team!

There have been a lot of memorable times at MTS Centre (the first home game for the Jets after the team came back to Winnipeg, the first Winnipeg whiteout in that building for last year’s playoff push, and countless more), but the Kropi tribute still stands out for being such a great moment!