Every year, hundreds of thousands of people play hockey, whether it’s professional or amateur. That means there are likely thousands of hockey jerseys sweltering their wearers every day of the year. Why do they wear these thick, furry garments in such blistering conditions? Let’s take a quick trip down Memory Lane and revisit some classic hockey moments while we’re at it.
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Growing Pains
Hockey has been around for centuries, but over the past couple of decades, the sport has seen an explosion in popularity. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you either love the game or are very, very close to doing so. Either way, it’s fair to say that you and I both know what it’s like to be a hockey fan. The sport has seen unprecedented growth across the world, and North America in particular has a large and passionate hockey community.
Hockey players have always been identifiable by their thick, fuzzy sweaters, but the style and material of the garments have changed over the years. Today, most NHL (National Hockey League) players wear bright, eye-catching colors, like red, black, and yellow while the Chicago Blackhawks were especially proud to sport a green sweater during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. The look is modern and unique, but still pays homage to the classic red, white, and blue hues. (The NHL didn’t invent the red, white, and blue color scheme, by the way, it’s actually the official colors of the United States of America.)
A Love Story
Hockey fans have long been known to be among the most loyal and dedicated sports fans in the world. The devotion those fans show towards their teams is admirable, and has certainly helped to fuel the sport’s growth in popularity. In an effort to gain more support, the NHL introduced the All Star Game in 1947. The showcase for the up-and-coming stars of the league was established to appeal to the fans who had tuned out due to the absence of professional hockey for so long during the war. It was a risky move, and one that worked perfectly. Today, the All Star Game is one of the highlights of the NHL season, and is arguably the most-watched game of the year. (Last year’s All Star Game was the most-watched NHL game in decades, drawing 12.5 million viewers on NBC. It was also the most-watched hockey game in 15 years, since the 2002 Winter Olympics.)
The game itself is a great spectacle. There’s nothing quite like seeing the best hockey players in the world take the ice against each other in a battle for the fans’ attention. It’s an opportunity for sports fans to witness athletic prowess, and for hockey players, it’s a chance to shine and show off their skills.
From My Garden To Your Living Room
One of the things that make hockey so special is how accessible it is. For those living in colder climates, there’s nothing quite like snuggling up with a good book and some hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night to while away the time. Still, there are times when even the most ardent fan needs a break from all that reading, and watching ice melt is always an excellent way to while away an hour or two. (A lot of the time, it’s the little details like this that make hockey so special. Like the way the Zamboni driver cleans the ice between periods. Or how bout those penalty shots? Totally unfair, right? But somehow, the drama and the excitement of those moments linger longer in your mind when you’ve experienced them first-hand. It’s like watching a movie without the distraction of other things going on around you. Plus, when the game is on, there’s always something else to watch out for. If you love hockey, it’s always something new to learn about and appreciate. )
Hockey players have always been identifiable by their thick, fuzzy sweaters, but the style and material of the garments have changed over the years. Today, most NHL (National Hockey League) players wear bright, eye-catching colors, like red, black, and yellow while the Chicago Blackhawks were especially proud to sport a green sweater during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. The look is modern and unique, but still pays homage to the classic red, white, and blue hues. (The NHL didn’t invent the red, white, and blue color scheme, by the way, it’s actually the official colors of the United States of America.)