Most people are aware of hockey, and some maybe even play the game themselves, but not many know where it really started. The popular ice sport was first played in Scotland in the early 1800s, but it didn’t take long for the game to spread to other parts of the world. In this article, we’ll tell you about the various places around the globe that the sport is now popularized, and you can find out which countries are the most successful at it.
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Argentina
Although Argentina is often considered part of South America, it is actually its own territory. The first official NHL game was played between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers on October 11,1953, and it wasn’t long before the entire nation got behind the team. The most popular sport in Argentina today is soccer, but quite a few people also play hockey, and the sport is growing in popularity every year.
Many Argentines feel that hockey can be a great way to develop your mental toughness. One of the most popular sports psychologists in South America, Juan Pablo Ortelli, Ph.D, says that playing hockey helps build self-discipline and mental toughness in young players. In the 2019-20 season, the youth national league had more than 40,000 players, which shows just how popular hockey has become among Argentines.
Australia
Like many other countries around the world, Australia is well-known for its very warm climate. The same as in other places where the climate is pleasant, the natives there also love their sport, particularly tennis and cricket. The first-ever appearance of the Hocky Green in an Australian sporting arena was back in 1884, and it wasn’t long before the game became popular. The Hocky Green is the iconic mascot of the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney, two of the biggest universities in Australia. Today, Aussie Rules Football is the most popular sport in the country, followed by Rugby Union and soccer.
Tennis is one of the most popular sports in Australia, and this year marks the 125th anniversary of one of the biggest sporting events in the country. The men’s final match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be played during the 2021 Australian Open. Nadal, who is from Spain, and Djokovic, an Austrian, have both had an amazing year and are going into the final as heavy favorites.
Hockey took a while to catch on in Australia, but it eventually grew in popularity throughout the country. In fact, you’ll find teams and clubs for everyone from beginners to seasoned players. The Australian national hockey team, the Hockeyroos, was formed in 1922 and have twice been champions of the country – in 1938 and again in 1945. Unfortunately, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Second World War and many things had to be cancelled, including the scheduled tour by the Hockeyroos to Europe. Luckily, the team was able to go on an alternative route and play some exhibition matches against other nationalities.
Belgium
Belgium is one of Europe’s biggest countries and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Unfortunately, it also has one of the most turbulent sports histories. Following the introduction of professional sports in the country in the early 1900s, the popularity of individual sports like racing soared, while the traditional games like hockey, football, and baseball didn’t. The first World Cup was held in 1930, and it wasn’t until 1954 that the country celebrated the achievement with a royal wedding. Since then, international football has been popularized.
Although the game didn’t take off like the other sports did in Belgium, hockey has seen a revival in popularity in recent years. The national team qualified for the 2004 Olympic Winter Games, and the Royal Belgian Ice Hockey League is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe. The city of Ghent, which is known for its medieval buildings and football fields, is home to the Gent Game, which is similar to curling in terms of rules and layout. This year’s competition is set to be one of the best ever.
Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the third-largest in all of North America, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular countries in the world. The most popular sport in Brazil is football, but ice hockey, thanks in part to the country’s cool climate and large population of Francophones, has seen a massive increase in popularity in recent years. The first-ever practice match of what is now the Montreal Canadiens took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1914, but it wasn’t until 1922 that Brazil got its own professional league. The first-ever World Cup was also held in Brazil and the sport continues to grow in popularity every year.
The most popular hockey player in the world today is undoubtedly Wayne Gretzky, who spent a lot of time in Brazil growing up. It was also in Brazil that he started a trend of people spelling his name with a zigzag instead of a straight line, like most people do. Sadly, Brazil is also home to one of the deadliest sports disasters in history. On June 25,1989, a riot broke out at the Memorial Coliseum in Buffalo, New York between fans of the Buffalo Sabres and the Quebec Nordiques. Nineteen people were killed and more than 700 were injured. Before the tragedy, the deadliest sports riot in history took place in Chicago in 1929, where a series of clashes between Black players and white players of the Chicago Blackhawks left seven people dead and over 40 injured.
Canada
It’s hard to believe that Canada is now considered one of the most powerful countries in the world. Back in the day, of course, we didn’t have drones or nuclear missiles, but we sure did have hockey and plenty of it. One of the biggest countries in the world in terms of area, Canada is actually one of the smaller countries in terms of population. The most famous hockey players come from this country, and many of the legends that the sport is now associated with grew up in Canada. The first-ever goal by an NHL player was scored by none other than Canada’s own Frank Mahoney in 1914, and it wasn’t long before the entire country got behind the Maple Leafs. It is said that there are more than a million hockey fans in Canada alone, which makes it the third-largest country in terms of audience after the U.S. and China. The most recent hockey World Cup was held in Canada, and both the Canadian men’s and women’s hockey teams qualified for this year’s Olympic Winter Games.
Denmark
Denmark is a very small country in Northern Europe, yet it’s one of the most popular vacation spots in the world. Many of its residents are very fond of ice hockey and the sport is even considered a part of Danish culture. The first-ever organized game of hockey in Denmark was played in 1927 and since then, the sport has become immensely popular. The most recent World Cup was held in Denmark, and both the men’s and women’s teams qualified for the 2020 Olympic Winter Games in Tokyo. Unfortunately, the summer months in Denmark are very hot and humid, which can make playing hockey extremely challenging.
In order to stop the spread of infection, ice hockey games are often played with one person on the bench. This is usually a coach or manager and helps keep track of how the game is going. The concept of the substitution player was first implemented in the NFL in 1936 and it’s since been adopted by other sports as well. In 2001, the International Ice Hockey Federation approved the introduction of a sixth official on the ice, specifically for substitution reasons.
Finland
Like many other Nordic countries, Finland has a very cold climate that is perfect for ice hockey. The country has produced many famous ice hockey players, and many of its biggest sports stars are also famous for their achievements outside of the sport. The most recent Winter Olympic Games were held in Finland, and both the men’s and women’s teams qualified for this year’s Olympic Winter Games in Tokyo. The popularity of hockey in Finland hasn’t been equaled since the country abolished its military and embraced a peaceful lifestyle in the early 1900s.
France
The first-ever organized game of hockey in France was played in the 1880s, and it wasn’t long before the entire country got behind the game. During the World War II, French hockey clubs formed resistance movements in German-occupied regions and helped smuggle weapons and aid to Nazi-occupied countries. The popularity of the sport surged in the 1950s when French teams successfully integrated players of different nationalities. In 2019, the French ice hockey federation launched the National Hockey League of France (Ligue Nationale de Hockey a François or LNHF) in order to help popularize the sport. The league will consist of eight teams, with players ranging from teenage to amateurish. The teams will play each other twice, and the winning team will gain a spot in the finals against the best team from the NHL.