Everyone has an opinion on sports. Some people love their football, others hate it, some people love their basketball, and others still prefer their hockey (which seems strange to us given its popularity in other parts of the world).
And just like everything else in life, there are pros and cons to each sport. But unlike most other subjects, the stigma that surrounds discussing sports issues has long since faded. Thanks in large part to social media, which has made it easier than ever for people to express their opinions on whatever they please.
But does all this talk of sports really bring us any closer to the question at hand? Perhaps not. So let’s rephrase the question: is hockey boring?
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The Growing Popularity Of Non-Professional Hockey
You might be surprised to learn that hockey has always been a bit of a boring sport for us. Sure, we played it in the winter as kids, but other than that we didn’t really follow it that closely. If someone had told us that one day hockey would become as popular as it has, we probably would have called them crazy. After all, the last thing anyone wants is more people playing hockey, right?
Wrong. While hockey definitely had its share of fans in the U.S., the sport wasn’t exactly a hot topic on the playgrounds or in the schoolyards. Sure, we’d play on the playgrounds in the winter, but only when it was so cold that the snow wouldn’t melt, otherwise we’d be outside playing baseball or football. And as for the schoolyards, well, we didn’t really keep up with hockey much back then, so we wouldn’t know either way.
Now that we’re a bit older, however, things have changed. The stigma that surrounded not caring about hockey has long since disappeared. Nowadays, kids are more likely to be playing hockey than anything else.
Even at the college level, where I teach, we’ve seen an uptick in participation thanks to the sport becoming more popular. Anecdotally, we’ve also seen an increase in people asking for help with their hockey homework, which is usually a sign that they’ve had more than a few weeks to think about it and are struggling.
All of this might lead you to believe that hockey has never been more popular in America, but you’d be wrong. It’s just that we didn’t bother to keep up with it until recently. Take a quick glance at these hockey jersey sales figures and you’ll see what I mean.
The Evolution Of Hockey Jerseys Over Time
In 2018, Canadians will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NHL. To commemorate the occasion, the National Hockey League and Reebok have partnered to create a commemorative jersey that will be worn exclusively during the NHL’s centennial celebrations. The jersey becomes known as the “Legends Edition”, and it is the best-selling NHL jersey ever. It’s the ultimate testament to the growing popularity of hockey.
It’s interesting to note the spike in demand for this jersey right around the anniversary date. The previous year saw the debut of the NHL All-Star Game, the league’s midseason showcase. The game was played in California, which is close to Los Angeles, the home of the LA Kings. With the success of the LA franchise in recent years, it wasn’t surprising to see more and more people want to wear a jersey that honors one of hockey’s most famous teams.
In addition to the spike in interest around the anniversary of the NHL, it’s also worth noting that these jerseys aren’t just limited to North America. Canada’s national sport has long been popular across the pond, and it appears that fans of the Maple Leaf are particularly interested in donning the iconic red, white, and blue colors. England’s national sport, cricket, is also experiencing a resurgence, which is likely due to the popularity of Indian cuisines across the pond. Not only do these garments tell us that fans are slowly but surely beginning to appreciate the beauty of the game, but they also provide a glimpse into international interest in the sport. For example, fans in India might be more familiar with hockey than they are with football or rugby due to these sports’ increased popularity there.
The Appeal Of Watching Professional Hockey
Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend the majority of their time watching sports. Between the commercials, the stoppages for timeouts, and the endless stats and lineup changes, it’s a wonder anyone finds the time to watch sports at all. Even worse, many people argue that sports completely remove the element of spontaneity from the game, which they claim is one of the fundamental elements of excitement.
And yet, we still go to the movies to watch movies. We buy tickets to sporting events to see our favorite players. It’s all a part of the fun. And if you think about it, movie theaters have always been a place where sports were shown, even if it was something as simple as a game between two high school teams or an annual town championship.
It’s important to note here that I’m not saying that everyone should spend all their time watching sports. Far from it. There are certainly plenty of things to do in this world that are more exciting than watching sports. Some prefer to go to concerts, while others like to go to the theater. Some like to travel, while others like to sit at home and relax.
But there is something to be said for sports. They provide us with a break from our regular daily routines and give us a chance to escape the stresses of the world for a while. While they may not be for everyone, it would be a shame to deny themselves the opportunity to enjoy a game simply because they think it’s boring.
What Is The Appeal Of Non-Professional Hockey?
As I mentioned above, not everyone will appreciate the appeal of watching professional hockey. After all, it’s not a passive leisure activity. You’re not just watching the game and taking it easy. You’re actually participating in the game, albeit through a screen. And if you’re not into sports, then why should you be into hockey?
But for those who do enjoy the spectacle of a game, there are many positives to watching non-professional hockey. As with any sport, there’s the competitive aspect, but even beyond that there are things that you can learn from watching the game. Here are just a few of them.
The Skill Of The Players
One of the things that immediately catches your attention when watching hockey is the skill of the players. From slap shots and one-timers, to dekes and wraparounds, the sport is filled with amazing maneuvers that even the most amateur eye could appreciate. While it’s not uncommon to see a rookie goalie performing at an equally high level, it is interesting to note that many of today’s top pros are now playing at a higher level than they ever had before. It’s not just about the improved technology either; increased specialization has allowed players to develop unique skills that they could bring to the table. And while it might not seem obvious, taking some time off to develop these skills made these players highly sought-after and incredibly valuable.
The Excitement Of The Plays
One of the things that separate professional hockey from other sports is the excitement of a play that ends in a goal. Professional hockey is about speed, skill, and tactics, but it’s also about quick strikes and unexpected moments of magic. It’s not just about seeing how fast a player can skate either; it’s about seeing how they use their speed and skill to create plays that lead to exciting finishes.
Since its inception, the NHL has always been known for producing some of the most exciting plays in all of sports. From the Gretzky vs. Coffey battles in the 80s to the countless individual scoring champions from previous eras, you’re sure to find an exciting play or two when watching a hockey game.
The Endurance Of The Games
While the majority of sports would disappear after a couple hours, hockey is still around today because it can go for several hours. It might not be the most popular sport in the U.S., but it certainly has enough fans that if it were to disappear tomorrow, someone would notice and lament its absence. It seems that watching and participating in hockey is something that people can still enjoy, even if they don’t necessarily appreciate the game’s intricacies.
There are countless reasons why people might not like hockey. Some might argue that it’s too expensive to participate in, while others might claim that it’s too violent or that it doesn’t allow for enough individual skill. But for those of us that appreciate a good game, there are still plenty of leagues, teams, and games to keep us interested.