TAMPA \u2014 Growing up in the Bahamas, Keith Koehler didn\u2019t know what hockey was until he moved to Tampa Bay and met the Lightning.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything started when we had the first game at the Expo Hall, I went with my dad, and a couple of my kids,\u201d said Koehler.<\/p>\n
That was back in 1992, and he has been a season ticket holder ever since. Keith or a member of his family attends every home game, but nothing will ever beat that inaugural season.<\/p>\n
\u00a0WATCH: Lightning fan fills office with photos, autographs, memorabilia and memories<\/p>\n
Lightning fan fills office with photos, autographs, memorabilia and memories<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the Expo Hall, there was a beer tent that, after the game, the players would go and drink beer with the fans, which you think in today\u2019s world is insane,\u201d said Koehler.<\/p>\n
Up and down the hallways and conference room of his CPA offices, Keith loves showing off all the photos and memorabilia he\u2019s collected over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started with just a couple of pieces, and it just seemed logical, I was a big sports fan, I started collecting jerseys, I collected baseball cards when I was a kid,\u201d said Koehler.<\/p>\n
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WFTS<\/p>\n
Keith\u2019s collection only grows thanks to his clients.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Hey, I\u2019ve got a luggage tag autographed by Bobby Orr, would you like to have it,\u2019 and I said, \u2018sure,\u2019 and it\u2019s on the shelf in there,\u201d said Koehler.<\/p>\n
He says the best part about being a fan is all the memories you get to share with friends and family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the first time she ever sat up, and it was in the Stanley Cup,\u201d said Koehler, pointing to a photo of his daughter in the Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cI woke up one morning and all of a sudden people were texting me that I was in the paper, and this is me cheering, we must of have had a big win,\u201d said Koehler, pointing to a framed copy of the newspaper.<\/p>\n
Keith is also very proud of the number of autographs. He says it\u2019s a testament to how accessible the Lighting have been over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, they tend to just be very friendly, and even if you just look at them, they\u2019ll want to have a conversation, and I think that\u2019s really cool,\u201d said Koehler.<\/p>\n
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