Most people are aware of the fact that hockey is one of the most popular sports around the world. What is often not so well known is that it is actually a better sport than football. Here are a few reasons why.
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Hockey Is More Popular
Firstly, popularity. In the United States alone, there are more than 600,000 registered players of hockey. That is more than double the number of football players (279,000). There are also more than twice as many ice hockey players as there are American football players. The NHL (National Hockey League) itself has over 600,000 registered players. More than half of them play on a team that is not affiliated with any specific college or university. This means that the sport is truly popular across all age groups and genders. Despite this, certain football teams have more registered players than the number of registered hockey players. This is quite the opposite of what you would expect. The fact that there are more registered players of hockey than football shows how popular the sport really is. It also demonstrates how some teams are more successful than others. The Detroit Red Wings have the highest number of registered players of any team in the NHL, with more than 100,000. They are closely followed by the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. The Tampa Bay Lightning have the fewest number of registered players with just over 10,000. It is interesting to note that several teams located in Canada have registered players in the hundreds of thousands. That is certainly proof that the game is popular across North America.
Hockey Is A More Competitive Sport
Secondly, competitiveness. Like other team sports, such as football and baseball, hockey is a lot more competitive than most people think. The fact that there are more registered players of a sport shows how competitive it really is. The National Hockey League is the pinnacle of the sport, composed of the best teams in the world. The Stanley Cup is essentially the Super Bowl of the NHL, as it is played in the spring, when the regular season finishes. The competition is extremely high, and games are often decided by a few goals. In the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals, for example, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Calgary Flames 7–6 in overtime. There is also an under-18 version of the Stanley Cup, called the Subway Cup, which is awarded to the league’s best under-18 team. Since the inception of the NHL in 1917, there have been only three occasions when the Stanley Cup was not won by the reigning champions. These were in 1918, 1920, and 1940, due to World War I, World War II, and the Great Depression, respectively. Since the sport is so competitive, teams practice twice a day, more often than they do for football or baseball teams. One can also assume that this is what helps produce such brilliant athletes as Wayne Gretzky, who now calls himself Retch-ky, and Mario Lemieux, the “Pittsburgh Penguin.”
Hockey Is More Social
Thirdly, sociality. For the most part, hockey is a much more social sport than football. The reason for this is that it is mostly played outdoors, in natural environments such as parks and fields. In the United States alone, there are almost 300 outdoor rinks, most of which are in suburban and rural areas. It is interesting to note that most of these rinks have been built since the 1970s, whereas many football stadiums were built in the early 1900s.
This is not to say that there is no sociability in professional American football, as there is plenty of it. After all, players and coaches often interact with fans through social media. They also often come together for various charity events, such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Football Banquet and the Super Bowl Championship Fund Celebrity Golf Classic. What is absent is the competitive nature of the sport and its communal celebration of victories.
Hockey Is More Physically Demanding
Fourthly, physical demand. Like other team sports, such as football and baseball, hockey requires a lot of physical activity. The fact that there are more registered players of a sport shows how much physical demand it entails. The National Hockey League is one of the most physically demanding sports leagues, due mainly to its intense practices and games. It also takes a lot of energy to play, as there is always someone trying to score a goal. This is especially the case in the NHL, due to all of the action and movement that takes place on the ice. As a result, the sport is not for the faint-hearted.
Hockey Is More Dangerous
Finally, danger. In general, hockey is a more dangerous sport than most people think. The reason for this is that it often involves checking, or body checking, which is when a player deliberately checks or hits an opponent. Checking is usually a safe, yet incredibly effective, form of play in hockey. The problem is that it is not always legal and, in many places, is heavily frowned upon. The danger involved in hockey actually comes from the violence of the game itself. During the 2018–19 NHL season, there were 1,324 fights, compared to the 1,131 fights that took place during the previous season. Hockey is also the most dangerous sport to play, or coach, in, as there is always the possibility of getting injured. This is mainly due to the quick temper of the players and coaches, as well as the physical nature of the sport. Hockey has a long history of injuries and hospitalization. This is mainly due to the fact that the game has been played for so long, without the use of helmets, visors, or mouthguards. As a result, players are often left with permanent injuries, especially to their teeth. Most people are not aware of the fact that players in the NHL are not required to wear protective headwear, until recently, when the league began allowing its players to wear helmets.
The above is a solid case for why hockey is better than football. Not only is it more popular, but it requires more physical activity, is more dangerous, and is more competitive. The fact that there are more registered players of a sport shows how competitive and popular hockey truly is. It is interesting to note that all of this does not come without its risks. As always, one has to be careful and play within the rules. This is the key to safe and effective playing. For the best results, one should certainly play hockey, but one must make sure that they are aware of the various risks involved.