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“I kind of stand out like a sore thumb”: Winnipegger living in Minnesota shows true colours

Jonathan Braverman was born and raised in Winnipeg but now lives in the Minneapolis area.   On Sunday he and Minnesota friend Tony Schmidt went to Game 3.
Jonathan Braverman was born and raised in Winnipeg but now lives in the Minneapolis area. On Sunday he and Minnesota friend Tony Schmidt went to Game 3. Lauren McNabb/Global News

St. Paul, Minn — It’s easy to spot Jets fans in Minnesota, they’re almost always wearing Jets gear.

But the flags on Jonathan Braverman’s Jeep, along with the floor covers and stickers, take it to another level. His vehicle has a Minnesota license plate.  He’s been calling this state home for 11 years.

“I get bugged a lot,” Braverman said.

READ MORE: ‘Our ice’ not just a slogan for the Minnesota Wild

Braverman grew up in the Maples neighbourhood of Winnipeg, and has fond memories of watching the Jets in the old arena as a kid. He also remembers the pain of losing the team in 1996, which is also why he’s so loyal.

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WATCH: Former Winnipegger Johnathan Braverman and a Minnesota town have ties to the Canadian team

Click to play video: '“Little Canada” the Minnesota community with a Manitoba feel'
“Little Canada” the Minnesota community with a Manitoba feel

The NHL returned to Winnipeg in 2011 and Braverman is just as big a fan now as he was 15 years ago, driving around Minneapolis–St. Paul proudly showing off the Jets’ colours.

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“The games I’ve been to here in Minnesota, I try to get close to the Winnipeg Jets fans because it doesn’t matter who you know, they’re all high-fiving you.”

RELATED: Winnipeg Jets fans descend on St. Paul, Minnesota

Braverman, who has been living in the states for well over a decade, lived in Fort Lauderdale prior to settling in the Twin Cities, which is where he met his Minnesota-born wife.

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“The long winters and the long pothole season is just like growing up in Winnipeg,” Braverman said. “The people around here are just as nice.”

They now have two children and have managed to get at least one of them to cheer for the Jets.

Braverman and his wife have two children. He and his daughter cheer for the Jets. His wife and son cheer for the Wild.
Braverman and his wife have two children. He and his daughter cheer for the Jets. His wife and son cheer for the Wild. Supplied: Jonathan Braverman

“My daughter, who is 12, is a big Jets fan.  She wears the Jets’ jerseys, the sweaters.  My son is a Wild fan because of my wife, so every time I say ‘Go Jets Go’ he says “Let’s Go Wild,” Braverman said. “So its fun.”

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