For decades, Canada has been an important part of the world of ice sports, contributing significantly to the sport globally. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the NHL, and to celebrate, the national hockey team will be touring various countries this summer, playing in front of packed houses and attracting large audiences. As well, the World Cup of Hockey will be played this year in Toronto, the nation’s capital.
There are many reasons why hockey is so important to Canada. It’s the country’s favorite winter sport, for starters, and it provides a great way for its residents to spend their free time. In addition, the NHL’s annual all-star game is usually played in the nation’s capital in January, attracting players and fans from around the world.
The list of achievements by the Canadian men’s hockey team is extensive, going back to the early years of the league, which is currently one of the most successful sports organizations in the world. Over the past century, the team has won 13 gold medals at the Winter Olympics, 12 at the World Championships, and 14 at the IIHF World Junior Championships. In 2011, the team was ranked the third best in the world by the International Olympic Committee.
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Where Is Hockey Played?
Although Canada is home to some of the greatest hockey players of all time, the sport is not just played on its territory. In fact, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) lists the following as the top ten countries that play ice hockey:
- United States
- Finland
- Sweden
- Canada
- Russia
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Denmark
- Norway
The NHL currently has its headquarters in Toronto, and the league’s 100th anniversary was recently commemorated with a Stanley Cup victory. The nation also has four other professional sports teams, including the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs in the NBA and the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB. In addition, Canada is home to the Buffalo Bills of the NFL.
The Growth Of The Sport
Though the sport of hockey has existed in one form or another since the 1800s, it was not until the early 1900s that significant changes started to occur, resulting in the formation of the modern game as we know it today. In 1901, Montreal newspaper reporters observed that “English hockey is an aristocratic sport, played by gentlemen, for the amusement of their friends in a luxurious atmosphere. French hockey is a workingman’s sport; played on the ice in summer and on wooden floors in winter.” This is because the English played hockey in ponds that were a lot more shallow than today, and instead of checking for the faceoff, the forwards would simply push the puck ahead without looking back. The Irish, too, played a very different game to what is now considered standard. For example, they would use their hands and feet as an extension of their arms to pass and shoot the puck. Because of this, Michael Collins, a writer for The Hockey News, stated in 2014 that “many people incorrectly believe that hockey is a ‘sport of Canada.’ In actual fact, the United States is the country of origin of hockey, and Canada merely adopted and improved the sport.”
A National Pastime
Hockey has long been considered a Canadian sport, and for good reason. In fact, the country is so attached to the game that it celebrates its achievements with the annual Hockey Day in Canada, which takes place the last Wednesday in October. During the event, which involves several matches between Canadian teams, fans can get up close and personal with the players, chatting them up and getting autographs. In 2010, Hockey Day in Canada was declared a National Holiday, and in 2015, the IIHF deemed it one of the greatest national sporting events in the world. Each year, the day is commemorated with a ceremony, which features a championship trophy awarded to the winning team and a performance by contemporary Canadian artists.
A Way To Spend Your Free Time
For those in Canada who want to spend their free time playing hockey, there are a range of opportunities. There are numerous amateur leagues across the country that anyone can join, and just about every town has a team, whether it’s in the NHL or not. The game is also widely accessible through schools and universities, making it a great outlet for students. In fact, the highest level of play in North America is represented by the NCAA, the Canadian Interuniversity Sports, and the U Sports, with the latter also holding an annual championship, the CIS Vanier Cup.
A Great Place To Enjoy A Romantic Night
For those in love, there are plenty of romantic opportunities in the form of hockey games and other events throughout the year. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic stroll down an ice path or would prefer to stay at home and order room service, there are plenty of ways to make the night special. For those looking for an adventurous date, there are tours available where you can take a stroll through an amusement park that is populated by costumed characters from hockey legends. In 2014, the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum in Toronto launched a new exhibition, “Love And Hockey: Stories Of Heartache And Triumph.” The exhibition explores the importance of love in the hockey world, featuring personal stories of dating, marriages, and breakups within the sport. “The interesting thing is that you don’t have to be physically at a game to be a part of the action,” said Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Tom McArthur. “You can be at a game in another town or even another country, but you can still follow the action and participate in the discussion, even if you are not physically at the game.”
The role of women in hockey has evolved significantly over the past century. Women first appeared on the ice in the 1910s, and though they faced significant prejudice, the number of female hockey players increased each year, reaching a peak in the 1950s, when the Women’s Canadian Hockey League was established. In the 1960s and 1970s, both women and men played in the leagues, with the women organizing winter tournaments alongside the men. In 1974, the first Women’s World Hockey Championship was held, with both the men’s and women’s teams competing. The tournament was held every two years after, with the most recent championships being held in Montreal and Toronto in 2018.
Though there is still considerable room for improvement, the role of women in hockey is one of the most encouraging areas of growth within the sport. In a 2015–16 Women in Hockey Survey, conducted by the Women’s Hockey Federation of Canada, 71% of respondents said that they would like to see more women involved in the sport, whereas only 15% would like to see less. Additionally, 22% said that they would like to see more professional opportunities for women in hockey.
The Cultural Influence Of Hockey
In addition to being a great sport to watch and participate in, hockey is also a source of inspiration for many creative individuals. There are numerous songs and poems that are dedicated to the sport, with many players and coaches becoming celebrities and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
In 2015, poet Joe McDonald published a book of hockey-themed poems, including “On The Border,” which was inspired by former NHL star Phil McDonough.
“I love the way that you play your games/ You’re so quick to get the puck and move it,” McDonald wrote in his poem. “Just like a hunch, you’re there to hit/ And you always put your team first, so don’t get discouraged/ When you lose, it’s not your fault.”
“Hockey has certainly influenced my writing and the way I look at the sport and the world,” McDonald said. “I remember when I was growing up, my dad would always tell me that I had a knack for writing about hockey. It was a bit of a surprise, but over the years the sport has become such an important part of my life that it’s naturally followed me into my work.”