Hockey is overlooked and underrated.

[CH David]

This has baffled me from the start. But I shouldn't really be surprised that there hasn't been much mention here in the Stadium, let alone the rest of the Forum. So for those that pay attention to SportCenter or read in the newspaper, last month, Patrick Kane and his cousin were involved in a debacle with a cab driver, that ended up with the cabbie being assaulted over a fare of $1.20. Now while I shook my head and said "What the fuck Kaner" I would come onto WZ and look for any news on the subject. I have not heard squat. And actually, ever since the start of the summer, I haven't heard about hockey that much, if at all.

My question is why? I know hockey is godly in Canada, but why is hockey so overlooked during the summer months, if not during its own season in America? It is one of, if not the most difficult sport played throughout the world, and so fast paced that if you turn the channel for a minute or two, you can miss quite a bit. The physical endurance that goes through 82 games, skating on ice, getting checked into boards and hit on open ice, takes a toll that would probably just make common people say fuck it. But they keep going through with it, playing their hardest for Lord Stanley's Cup.

Is it because of the lock out and strike in 2004? Has hockey just been overlooked during all of its existance in the United States? I can't answer it, because I love watching hockey, and would never look past it. Let your thoughts and ideas on hockey be spread in here.

 

[X]

You know David, I really don't know why hockey doesn't appeal to me. Perhaps it's a subconscious thing because it's such a Canadian sport, but I just can't get into it. Baseball is really the only low-scoring sport I love, and that's because baseball is the greatest game on this Earth (It's an American thing).

I was into hockey for one entire season as I remember, may have been 2003 or 2004. Obviously I'd root for the Bruins being a Boston boy. I even went to a few games when I was very very young if I remember correctly. But with my love of baseball, football, and basketball, hockey has always just been lost on me. I've watched games in the last few years, and I watch every game when the Bruins go to the playoffs (I actually really enjoyed the playoff series they just had with the Canadiens not too long ago, taking them to 7 games) but during the regular season I wouldn't say I'm an avid watcher, and when it comes to hockey stats, I'm at a loss. I have no idea of what many of the hockey stats are or how to judge them. That's probably part of why I don't pay much attention to it.

That's just my story when it comes to hockey. When it comes to the masses...I just don't know why it doesn't appeal to as many people. Perhaps for the same reason soccer doesn't? It's not one of those strictly American sports like football or baseball.

 

[CH David]

You know David, I really don't know why hockey doesn't appeal to me. Perhaps it's a subconscious thing because it's such a Canadian sport, but I just can't get into it. Baseball is really the only low-scoring sport I love, and that's because baseball is the greatest game on this Earth (It's an American thing).

We both know baseball is amazing. It is the original Past Time. It may be a subconscious thing like you said. I realize that it isn't for everyone, but it truly is a great game to get into. Expensive as fuck, but it is awesome.

I was into hockey for one entire season as I remember, may have been 2003 or 2004. Obviously I'd root for the Bruins being a Boston boy. I even went to a few games when I was very very young if I remember correctly. But with my love of baseball, football, and basketball, hockey has always just been lost on me. I've watched games in the last few years, and I watch every game when the Bruins go to the playoffs (I actually really enjoyed the playoff series they just had with the Canadiens not too long ago, taking them to 7 games) but during the regular season I wouldn't say I'm an avid watcher, and when it comes to hockey stats, I'm at a loss. I have no idea of what many of the hockey stats are or how to judge them. That's probably part of why I don't pay much attention to it.

I'm sure you loved how the Canadiens booed our Anthem, and the Bruins fans cheered theirs. Even I get a kick out of that.

Hockey stats can be complex at times. All I really pay attention to is Points, which are goals and assists for regular players, and the Goals Against Average for goalies. The plus/minus rating is kind of difficult to comprehend. For those that don't know the plus/minus rating, here it is. You are awarded a plus when you score a 5-5 or shorthanded goal. You get a minus when you are scored upon or give up a shorthanded goal.

That's just my story when it comes to hockey. When it comes to the masses...I just don't know why it doesn't appeal to as many people. Perhaps for the same reason soccer doesn't? It's not one of those strictly American sports like football or baseball.

I get where you are coming from X. I appreciate you adding what insight you can on the subject. I am curious as to how the ratings will be this year for the Olympics, or next year technically. Maybe it is because here in the US, as I previously mentioned, hockey is expensive as hell. You have to get ice time, buy the equipment and pads and sticks, etc. I don't know what cost is in other countries, but here it is so damn expensive. But I think for those that make it to the pros, is definitely beneficial. They are some of the most approachable athletes in sports. They understand the hardship that people go through. They can appreciate the fans, because they want to see them. Hockey players growing up, their parents sacrifice so much time and money for their kids to play and succeed, that they are much more humble than other sports stars.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I guess a part of the reason hockey gets overlooked is because there are other dominant sports mainly in the southern and western states. The Orignal Six was great for hockey but then they kept expanding and expanding. It doesn't seem right that cities like Atlanta, Tampa, and Nashville have hockey. Hockey is mainly a Canadian and northeastern thing and bringing it to the south and west seems kind of foreign.

Another reason may be that it is hard to keep track of the puck. I believe they have experimented with it but failed to come up with anything. Until a few years ago, scoring was very low and people became disinterested. Scoring is up now and there seem to be more fans.

The bad perception that hockey gets is that it is all fights which I'm not a big fan of. 90% of the time you hear about hockey on ESPN, it always is two guys getting in a fight. It's a normality in hockey unlike in the other three major sports. All in all, hockey is a beautiful sport and if I have to watch one Game 7 of a championship, I will be watching the Stanley Cup.

 

[FromTheSouth]

Hockey has been passed by soccer in ratings and exposure. ESPN has no desire to pick up hockey broadcasts. The entire hockey staff at that network consists of Barry Melrose.

That is part of the problem. ESPN finds time for strongman, timber sports, college gymnastics, etc. Hockey, on the other hand, gets three minutes on Sportcenter. I think that there is a subconscious feeling that if ESPN doesn't care, then I don't either. I enjoy the playoffs, but to watch an entire season and see someone score, over the course of an 84 game season, at the most 300 goals per team is just grating. I'm sure ESPN could squeeze it in, but there's poker to show. Poker draws well.

 

[BooCocky]

Hockey is overlooked because it doesn't have much exposure. Growing up there was nowhere to play ice hockey, while there were always organized football, baseball, basketball and even soccer leagues. And to be quite honest, joining a traveling hockey team was always expensive. The fans in America never had that much exposure, I was in Canada once and all I saw was a shit load of advertisements for hockey, but growing up I hardly saw a damn thing unless you consider deck hockey a form of ice hockey.

Five year old children in Canada could play hockey but most of our exposure to hockey came once we reached high school, then it's too late to get serious about it. Hockey is overlooked because there are other huge sports in America, Canada, not so much. What do they have to compete against, The Canadian Football league?