Why Hockey?
Professional sports, otherwise known as the Big Four (MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL) in North America has permeated every aspect of society and influences both young and old alike. Youngsters look keenly upon their sporting idols, dreaming of making that perfect game winning play in the old neighborhood playground while the elder statesmen of our families look fondly on those dramatic plays they remember when they were younger. No matter which sport, no matter what season, we all have those memories inside to keep us warm throughout the year.
I personally find ice hockey to be an overlooked sport among the Big Four, a sort of black sheep in the sports entertainment arena. It is a sport of immense skill, finesse, athleticism, power, and extreme excitement. Yet it never garnishes the glamour of the more senior professional sports today. We have a “redheaded stepchild” in the family of professional sports. Looking into some of these reasons, I find a very interesting paradox which sets ice hockey unique among all professional sports.
The Big Three involve a ball of sorts and the movement of said ball to accrue points. In The Other One, you shoot a solid projectile. A frozen solid projectile. The Other One even arms their players with tools to try and increase the speed of said projectile. Sounds to me like this was extreme sports in its infancy.
The Big Three involve running of some type. The Other One employs the use of a blade in order to speed up the action. It seems that running just seems too slow for the Other One.
In The Big Three, you have to stop the clock for any major substitution of players. For The Other One, there’s no reason to stop the clock. Live substitutions means more action and is actually a crucial part of the sport. I’d certainly get a laugh watching Tim Duncan try a live substitution on a Spurs fast break.
The Big Three crown their champions with a new trophy each year. Championship rings are given to the participants for their season long efforts. In The Other One, they award the champion eternally engraved rights to the oldest pro sports trophy in North America, the Stanley Cup. Its been awarded each year since 1893. In fact, each player of the winning team is allowed to do what ever they want with the Stanley Cup for one entire day. Somehow I just can’t imagine Tom Brady carrying around a crystal trophy and actually enjoying that.
There’s no doubt that each sport has its loyal fanbase around each team. However, I find the support of ice hockey runs deeper than any other sport around. It may not have as many annual fans but the Other One gathers the most fans when the Winter Olympics arrive. I don’t think The Big Three hold a torch to the Lake Placid memories of the Miracle on Ice. Nor do I think the Miracle on Turf sounds as romantic.
I’ve got a better idea, lets keep the Other One rightfully in its place, as the elder statesman, reflecting fondly of its rich heritage and looking on its younger children guiding them through life.
I certainly enjoy that memory.
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