For those unfortunate few — like myself — who cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, you know exactly the struggle I go through.

Every year we fans enter the new season with a sense of renewed optimism that maybe, just maybe this is finally our year. Of course, that unwavering faith hasn’t been rewarded, as the Leafs have only won a playoff series once in the past 12 years and they currently sit second last in the Eastern conference — just a mere 19 points out of the final playoff spot.

By now we have heard it all: “Losers since ‘67,” “What do the Leafs have in common with the Titanic? They both looked good before they hit the ice,” “When you die the Leafs should be your pallbearers so they can let you down one last time.” All hilarious and depressingly true. This season has gone so poorly that I actually avoid watching my beloved Leafs altogether so I don’t have to sit through three hours of torture wanting to cry.

In short, it’s bad — but who is to blame for this mess? Is it Dave Nonis and his swift thinking to dish out over a combined $20 million — just under one third of the salary cap — to Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel and David Clarkson? Was it ex-coach Randy Carlyle and his schemes that caused the Blue and White to spiral so far out of control that even a combined effort from Johnny Bower, Darryl Sittler and Wendel Clark couldn’t bring them back?

Regardless, the unforgettable game seven collapse in Boston just two short years ago will be the closest thing to the post-season for quite some time for one of the greatest sports franchises in North America. That being said, we don’t have it that bad compared to some other Canadian hockey fans. Edmonton fans know they’re going to be a dumpster fire every year and probably end up with a lottery pick. Montreal fans — well it doesn’t matter how their team does, they’re just going to annoy the hell out of the rest of us.

My message is simple fellow Leaf fans: Stay strong. Amidst all the controversy, media scrutiny and losses is a hockey team long overdue for success — and right along with them is one of the most passionate fan bases in the league. The change isn’t going to happen overnight. Heck, knowing Toronto it might not even happen in the next 10 years. But one glorious day, when the Toronto Maple Leafs finally win the Stanley Cup, it will all be worth it.

The years — scratch that, decades — of pain, humiliation and anger will all be forgotten in a moment of pure jubilation that I can’t even begin to imagine. So bear with me Leafs Nation — now that I think about it, next year may just be our year.