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What's Wrong with My Hockey?
Written by Ryan   
Thursday, 04 March 2010 15:15
Hockey fans have an inferiority complex. I suppose that's to be expected when you're #4 (maybe #7 or #8, actually). And that's fine. But why are we always trying to force our game onto everyone else? Is it because we think that we know better than they do? Is it because we want our arenas to be more crowded and tickets more expensive? Or is it because we really love ESPN so much that it would just be easier if that were the only channel we ever had to go to?

God these people in line at Subway would love hockey…if they only knew!!
A common theme among writers and even players at the Olympics was that the Games were a great stage on which to display the NHL product. Which infers one of two things - there are either some people out there that would like hockey but don't know it exists, or that there are other people that have seen hockey but weren't into it because it wasn't skilled enough for them.

When people see hockey, really see it at its best, they will become fans.

Growing the game.
So what exactly does getting more fans do for the NHL besides make the owners and players richer? What does it do for you? When the hockey fan population doubles what do you get out of it? You get to talk puck at the barber shop? Is that what this is really all about? If you think you need to do your part to spread hockey because the NHL will one day shut down due to lack of fans then you're mistaken. The SPHL is alive. As are the UHL, CHL, ECHL, and AHL. The NHL is here to stay. If the players have to go back to making $100k a year it sure beats the hell out of what I'm doing.

Let's get mainstream!
Why? You want to see hockey highlights on Sports Center? Splurge for the Center Ice. You want to see better commercials during hockey games? Drink a five hour energy and get over it. You want read your hockey to headlines first thing in the sports section every morning? Read your paper backwards.

If you want to live in a hockey culture! Move to Canada. They already have one set up.

I just don't get it at all. I like being a fan of my own little niche sport. It's more personal and the bond with other fans, when you happen to find one, is special. When people ask you what your favorite football or baseball team is you're expected to have an answer. You wouldn't dare ask a stranger what his/her(!) favorite hockey team was for fear of crucifixion. Or just the inevitable and embarrassing "oh I don't really follow hockey." And that's the way I like it. It helps me weed out the goons who know the centers' names for half of the teams in March Madness and steer clear of them. Hockey is our secret code. And I don't see any reason to try and change that. Except everyone seems to be telling me that I should.

I'm fine being in the good band that's not big. I actually prefer it.


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Comments (6)Add Comment
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written by ClarkeMERCEDES31, March 05, 2010
According to my exploration, billions of people in the world receive the business loans at good banks. Therefore, there is good possibilities to receive a college loan in all countries.
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written by Matt P., March 04, 2010
Ryan Miller was mounted upside down in Super Chexx hockey. Always stands on his head.
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written by Matt R., March 04, 2010
agree: NO MORE SOUTHERN HOCKEY! Bring back the WHALE!
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written by yup, March 04, 2010
that comment was from me, Jon (flyingp)
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written by yup, March 04, 2010
totally agreed. I'd actually like to see the game 'contract' a little bit. by contract, I mean, lose the dead weight of the southern teams and re-populate the northern markets with hockey teams. My general rule, if the local high school doesn't have a particular sports team, then there shouldn't be a pro team there. It's just that simple. If you can't draw at high school games, how do you expect to draw at the big arenas.

Either that, or they should start putting bubble hockey in every bar and pizza joint south of the mason dixon line. That'll work as well.
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written by Snevik, March 04, 2010
1) For me, it really is about heaving people to talk to about hockey. I live in Chicago, about 150 miles south of anyone else who knows anything about it. I'm tired of waiting for friends from home to get on GChat so I can tell them how random drunken hookups at parties are the perfect extended metaphors for the unwritten rules of hockey fights.

2) As long as Bettman tries to "grow the game," it's in our best interest to attract people to the sport as is, lest he be tempted to change rules in an effort up ratings. This is why a stick anywhere in the strike zone is a hooking call. This is why the instigator exists. If I get my friends to pick up the game now, hopefully I won't have to watch Joacim Eriksson defend an eight foot wide net two years down the road.

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