Can you name me 3 hockey players off the top of your head? Can you tell me who won the Stanley Cup last year? Have you watched an NHL all star game? If you're a Canadian that can't answer these questions the country will revoke your citizenship and send you to Greenland. Most Americans however don't have a clue. Hockey is a sport that is rich in tradition and entertaining to watch yet most Americans pay little attention.The sport had a mini renaissance in the mid 80's when Wayne Gretzky played for the Los Angeles Kings. Stadiums and arenas sold out all over the country for the hockey equivalent of Michael Jordan but the sport never experienced that kind of success before or after the Great One. Here are the reasons hockey is not more popular in the United States.
1. Hockey is a specialized sport. With the exception of cities in the Northeast and and cities that surround the great lakes there is no such thing as a pick up game of hockey. Kids don't play it in their backyard or at the playground.
2. The best players are Russian or Canadian. Although the USA gave a valiant effort in the Winter Olympics the best hockey players in the world aren't homegrown. It's difficult for fans to embrace stars that aren't born and raised in the United States.
3. There are few minorities in the NHL. Although the sport was invented by Afro Canadians there is little diversity in the sport as a whole. 1/3 of the country are people of color. Again, it is hard to identify with a sport if you don't see a reflection of yourself.
4. There is no replacement for Wayne Gretzky. Hockey doesn't have a marquee name to hang its hat on. Wayne Gretzky was one of the 5 greatest athletes of the 20th century. No one has followed in his footsteps and put the sport on their back.
Take the time to watch the puck every once in a while. I think you'll be surprised at what you see. At the very least catch the highlights on sportscenter.
No comments:
Post a Comment