Original 6 Hockey Essay

As the starting Varsity goaltender, I hold a vital leadership role within the locker room which is mentoring the sophomore backup goalie. I work with my net partner to improve his game through practices and warm up sessions. I believe it is my responsibility to pass my hockey knowledge along to him to insure he has the utmost preparation when he takes over the starting role next year.

The fact that the 1990s were the greatest period of growth for American hockey suggests that the 1980 Olympics did not inspire thousands of kids to strap on the blades right away. But the event certainly took its place in American sports mythology, giving young hockey players a heritage to celebrate and icons to look up to. That kind of legacy is the lifeblood of any sport.

Maurice Richard historical significance in Canada had to do considerable deal with Hockey. Hockey is “closer to a religion than a simple sporting pastime” in Canada. It is “a unifying force” in a nation where one state wanted to separate from the rest of Canada. Nevertheless hockey has a major impact on the social, economic, cultural and political realms of Canada. In the 2014 Olympics, an alcohol law in bars was ignored when Canada was in the finals for the gold medal. In addition to People drinking at 5 o’clock in the morning, which would have been frowned upon in many social circles in any other circumstances. Maurice is “credited with raising the National Hockey League to major sport status”, he simply “sold the game” to French Canadians post great depression. You could say he stopped the National Hockey league from fading as teams were dropping every year out of the League due to being unable to be successful financially.

The Edmonton Oilers were one of the 4 new teams that entered the NHL during the 1979/1980 expansion team. Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky were on the team at this time. Although none of the players that came from the 4 expansion teams could claim the calder trophy because they played in the WHA for the first 3 games. The oilers made the playoffs that year but got eliminated very early

Hockey is a sport thats origins may be from Persia, Egypt or China, while archaeological evidence shows an early ball-and-stick game played in Greece in the 400s BCE. As civilization spread, so did the games. In 1872, a young man from Halifax, Nova Scotia named James Creighton moved to Montreal, bringing the sport of ice hockey with him bringing with him hockey sticks and skates. Which in turn a man named Lord Stanley created the first national hockey organization. In 1912 the very first professional hockey game. I’ll present my information in chronological order with also talking about how and when hockey affected the country presented.

Why is it that when I picture Canada I am able to see snow falling, the night setting, with teenagers, children, and adults walking towards a rink with their the laces of their skates tied together and thrown over their shoulders, all getting ready to play the great Canadian game. What is it that makes hockey so profoundly important to Canadian identity, and a representative of our country? To start off, all across the country, on frozen backyard ponds, community rinks and state-of-the-art arenas Canadians are playing hockey which is Canada’s national sport. I believe that hockey is a representation of Canada because, the maple leaf, a familiar Canadian emblem, is found on Canadian hockey jerseys, and major chains selling our favourite food, donuts, were started by hockey greats Tim Horton and Eddie Shack.

Both Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky have been very influential to the NHL and to the world. But which is more influential than the other. Gordie Howe grew up in a hard working family with little money. Growing up had had to battle through adversity on numerous occasions, including being cut from the first travel hockey team he tried out for. He went from not being good enough to make a kids team to arguably being the best player ever. Wayne Gretzky throughout his whole life was a talented hockey player. During his youth he would play with kids that were 4 years older than him because his own age was not enough competition. From when he was 4 to when he was 38, Wayne Gretzky was always the best hockey player on the ice. Although both are a large influence in the world, Gordie Howe was more influential than Wayne Gretzky.

Professional hockey players eat, sleep, and breathe the game. This passion breeds a rare type of diehard fan to follow the sport. The game of hockey is over 100 years old and fighting is one element that has kept players engaged and fans hooked throughout the years. The first indoor hockey game was played in 1875 and the NHL was formed 42 years later in 1917. In 1922, fighting was added to the rule book as a regulated aspect of the game. Looking at the history of hockey shines a light on the players and fans’ passion for the game. Hockey fights should stay in the game for the protection and safety of skilled players, rivalries between teams, and finally because it's a unique part of the sport.

Essentially, the 1972 Team Canada was given the name of Canada's Hockey Team of the Century in December 1999 (Hockey Hall of Fame). Another, important event that happen was said by legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt of CBC Television " The Puck comes out to Hendson . He shoots! He scores Paul Henderson has scored for Canada. "(Quinlan 268). With 34 seconds left in the third period , Paul scored a slap shot to the top left corner of the net , which made Canada become the new hockey power in the world. (Kriser). This Summit Series win was very big for the development of Canada's hockey culture because in International ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tournaments , Canada was losing to countries like USA, Sweden and Finland ,developing hockey countries, in which should of been easy wins for Canada who is a hockey nation. (Rutley) It also shifted to look at women and hockey . Before the series , women were not allowed to play because of the fact that it was a male sport and it was too aggressive for women to handle. (Rutley). However after the series was over , one young lady step out of shadows and played a game with young men on a pond in Quebec . Manon Rhéaume, the first female hockey player was given great respect and in the next following NHL season played as a Montréal

The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.

Hockey is a fast, exciting sport played by two teams on a sheet of ice called a rink. Each team has six players on the ice, one goalie, two defensemen, two wingers, and one center man.

Sometimes it is easy to forget the game played on frozen ponds and backyard rinks, and get lost in the overwhelming professional sport known as hockey. However, we strive to remember that hockey became Canada's game because it made our never-ending winter months more bearable . The game gradually became a sport, then an entertainment industry. It seems like the lockout was one of the biggest news stories of the year. Part of the amazing nature of the game is that it's origins are fairly vague. However, we always remember that hockey is our game. It may not be our official sport, like lacrosse is, but hockey is what Canada seems to be most well-known for, and it continues to have immense influence on our free society, with its unique style

When Team USA beat the Soviet in 1980 it was important for the US hockey world because that team was seeded seventh entering the game against the Soviet Union. During the 1980 Olympic run the average was 22 and all the players were that year were both amateur and college players and the Soviet’s team was mainly professional and experienced players. This win gave coach Herb Brooks a place in history because he did something no other USA coach has done for the last twenty years and that is beat Russia, and he was named sportsman of the year in 1990.

As a result of the effect that it has on the Canadian economy, hockey should be named Canada’s true national sport. Accounting for roughly one-third of the National Hockey Leagues ticket sale revenue, the seven Canadian hockey teams have a much larger market than the 23 American teams. Not including the newly added Winnipeg Jets, the six Canadian teams account for 31% of the $1.2 billion (U.S) sales ticket revenue of the NHL. This means that $341,000,000.00 (U.S) is contributing to the Canadian economy annually. The Toronto Maple Leafs has the largest franchise revenue at an estimated $119,000,000.00. The ticket revenue of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the highest in the NHL at $1.5 million per game. This is an astonishing amount in comparison to the Dallas Stars at $660,000. The construction of sport facilities could cost upwards to over $1 billion (U.S). With this in mind, Canadian hockey facilities (e.g.: the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario) revenue millions of dollars annually and creates thousands of jobs. Costing $265 million to build, the Air Canada Centre generates revenue of nearly $23 million annually. Additionally, large Canadian sponsors such as Air Canada, Molson Canadian, and Tim Hortons

Professional hockey has been around in Canada for over one hundred years. Tradition runs deep in programs like the Toronto Maple Leaf's and Montreal Canadians, which have been located in