Kroppy, Winnipeg Jets superfan, dead at 98 and tributes pour in

Len Kropioski, better known asKroppy to Winnipeg Jets fans, has died at98.

A longtime fixture at Jets home games and at Manitoba Moose games before the NHL's return to Winnipeg Kropioski was born in Winnipeg and lived most recently in Kenora, Ont.

The Second World War veteran made the 2-hour drivefromKenorato the MTS Centrefor every home game, except when his health wouldn't allow it.

He wasa fixture on thescoreboard videoscreenabove centreiceatthe end of O Canada, with a salutefollowed by a wide smile andthumbs up.

Hisrink-side seats required Kropioskitopass througha gauntlet of well-wishers greeting him as he entered. He was often one of the last people leaving the rink for the same reason.

And he loved every minute of it.

"It's a bit embarrassing sometimes," Kropioskitold CBC News in 2013."I never was like that before. I never had anything like that before."

• Winnipeg Jets superfan Kroppy gets emotional welcome from fans

The Jets even issued a collector's pin ofKroppy'ssalute.

When hemissed a few games last seasonfollowing surgery, fans noticed and started asking on Twitter where he was, if he was OK.

When he returned to the MTS Centre for a March 30 matchup against the Ottawa Senators, Jets fans brought Kropioski to tears with a standing ovation.

Those same fans, and players, are now turning to Twitter again, offering a finalsalute to the man known asKroppy.

Jets captain Blake Wheeler, who'scompeting in the World Cup of Hockey right now,tipped his hat to Kroppy on Wednesday morning.

Jets planto honour Kroppy

True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Jets and the MTS Centre, released a statementWednesday morning, saying they are "greatly saddened byKropioski's passing.

"Kroppywas the consummate hockey fan and his support ofthe team and the organization has always been genuine andpure, dating back to our time in the AmericanHockey League," it said.

"His devotion to make the two-hour trip fromKenorato always ensure he was in his frontrow seat in time for the anthems demonstrated how passionate Winnipeg Jets fans can be."

CBC ARCHIVES Nov 2013: Jets Veteran Len Kropioski

8 years ago

Duration 4:06

A profile of veteran Len Kropioski, who has become a fan-favourite fixture at Winnipeg Jets hockey games after gaining attention for his salute during the national anthem.

True North officialssaid they areworking todetermine a proper way to honourKropioskiwhenthe Jetsopen the 2016-17regular season on Oct. 13 againstthe Carolina Hurricanes.

"Kroppyhad a tremendous impact on the organization, particularly those who interacted with him and cameto know his family well. He will be missed," the statement said.

"We would imagine his family is touched by the incredible demonstration of love exhibited by the WinnipegJets community in the past 24 hours. They had asked us for privacy to this point, and we now ask the samefor his family going forward. Thank you."

Among the people tweeting condolences for Kropioskiare Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, Jetsanthem singer StaceyNattrass, andScott Campbell, a Jet during the team's first two seasons in the NHL, 1979-81, who is returning to the city in October to take in the Heritage Classic.