So you want to get into hockey? Good for you. It’s a great fast paced sport with grit and determination by all the players. Want to get a little rough on the ice? Go ahead, that’s what goons are for!
What is hockey?
If you’re not sure exactly about hockey, here’s how Wikipedia describes it. “A team usually consists of four lines of three forwards, three pairs of defensemen, and two goalies. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take the puck and score a goal against the opposing team. Each team has a goaltender who tries to stop the puck from going into the goal. “
Blah. How boring.
Hockey is a team sport of 6 men on an ice rink. The goalie, who valiantly tries to stop the other team from scoring, stays in front of his net with his special padding and stick. The other 5 guys skate on the ice alternating between defending their goal and attacking their opponents net. While some players are listed as offensive players and defensive players, everyone defends and everyone attacks. It’s truly a team sport.
History of Hockey
There’s a long history of hockey in the USA and Canada. The professional National Hockey League is comprised of 30 teams in the USA and Canada and was founded in 1917 in Montreal, Canada. While most of the teams are located in the northern part of the USA, there has been a surge of new teams in the southern part of the USA, owing to a lot of northern retirees wanting to see their sport.
Hockey has seen a growing surge in popularity. The Stanley Cup, which is the championship trophy awarded to the winner of the NHL playoffs had a lot of people watching this past spring. It was the most watched NHL final since records were kept in 1994. Amazingly, this happened even though there was a labor issue that made for a short season during 2013. People love the fast paced nature and the excitement of a good ‘ol hockey game.
Goons
But what about the goons? Hockey is one of the few professional sports that tolerates fights. It’s a time honored tradition that seems to go down fighting. A hockey player more known for fighting than scoring goals is known as a goon. A great hockey movie, Slap Shot, has the Hanson Brothers. They’re all goons and more willing to drop the gloves than score goals. Yes, hockey is a tough game.
As you can see, hockey is one of the more unique sports to watch. You almost have it all. There’s offense and there’s defense. There’s great athletic ability in players hurtling around the rink trying to score or trying to defend. And don’t forget about the goons. They’re always ready to keep you on your toes.