digg this   del.icio.us   stumble it

The Great Game of Hockey

Most people would be surprised to learn that hockey isn't the national sport of Canada, considering the country's love affair with the game. Many people in Canada eat, sleep, and breathe hockey. Hockey is defiantly a Canadian sport, although its roots are in Ireland, back when it was called Hurley. In the 1800s hockey became very popular throughout Canada, especially the East coast, and its infectious nature has caught on all over the world.

In 1917, a league was formed to guide the play among professional hockey teams. This league, the National Hockey League (NHL) originally consisted of five teams. But the numbers quickly grew and by the end of the century there would be 30 teams from all over Canada and the USA. For many fans, hockey is serious business.

The hockey playoffs, known as the Stanley Cup, tend to be dominated by US teams in recent years, but that hasn't dampened the fervor of the Canadian fans. In many houses and sports bars throughout Canada, Hockey Night remains a strong tradition. Like many sports where the players demand high salaries, hockey has seen it's fair share of teams come and go, like the Winnipeg Jets and the Quebec Nordiques.

Hockey stars are able to demand high salaries for their game. In part, this is what leads some of the top players to teams in the US. Some Canadian teams find it challenging to keep their homegrown players thanks to high salary demands. This is one of the issues in the 2004 NHL dispute that resulted a curtailed season.

Hockey is a very violent game and unfortunately, violence is very common in the little leagues. Spectators love to watch the opposing team get crushed against the boards. Many people wonder what this is teaching young fans. Aggressive play is not being tolerated in many leagues whereas others have banned this type contact all together. The NHL however, has not started anything of this kind.

It's not just children that become too involved - in some instances, some of the parents have become a bit too passionate in recent years. Many little leagues are struggling with fights between parents and verbal and physical abuse against referees and coaches. As a result, many parents are turning from the sport or putting their children in after school hockey programs. It's a frustrating when the parents are more focused on winning than the kids.

Europe also enjoys much success in the world of hockey. Little known places such as Belarus has been highlighted after the recent world championships. Little ice hockey can be played anywhere you can find frozen ponds in the winter. This is not always the case though, look at the Los Angeles Kings.

Hockey is one of the best-loved games in North America and many fans have their fingers crossed that there will be at least a few games this 2004/2005 NHL season. But there are farm teams and minor leagues that are still playing so at least fans can get their hockey fix. If you are wondering what the fuss is all about, be sure to check out a game at your local area and feel the excitement in the air. No wonder hockey is so popular!

Rate this Article : 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5   (Not yet Rated)