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Spliff · Sep 16, 2004, 09:57 PM

I was just watching the sports news and they were interviewing a prof about the un-popularity of hockey in the US. Apparently, in viewership it ranks around 28th, slightly behind tractor pull.

To this I say, WTF?

Why do American's hate hockey? It's fast-paced and exciting. It doesn't take four to five hours to play like NFL games with their endless whistles and stops in play.

How can tractor pull be more popular than hockey?

cpt kangarooski · Sep 16, 2004, 10:03 PM

Couldn't say; I'm not interested in any sports.

However, I do remember something funny about that from an old West Wing episode.

HOYNES
I heard you had Caps tickets.

SAM
Yes, sir.

HOYNES
How was the game?

SAM
Not very good.

HOYNES
Have you ever seen a good hockey game?

SAM
No.

HOYNES
Me neither. I love sports, I just can't get next to hockey. See, I think Americans like to savour situations. One down, bottom of the ninth, one run game, first and third, left handed batter, right hand reliever, infield at double play depth, here's the pitch. But scoring in hockey seems to come out of nowhere. The play-by-play guy is always shocked. "LePeiter passes to Huckenchuck who skates past the blue line. Huckenchuck, of course, was traded from Winnipeg for a case of Labatts after sitting out last season with... Oh my God, he scores!"

Webscreamer · Sep 16, 2004, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by cpt kangarooski:
Couldn't say; I'm not interested in any sports.

. . . . there is no sport that you take interest to?

Hockey's pretty fun to watch, and i bet even more fun to play. I wish I got into it more as a kid. But what this world needs is more tennis

rozwado1 · Sep 16, 2004, 10:19 PM

Because we need commercialism. Hockey's too pure. If NHL players start showing up on MTV, then people will watch it.

teaforone · Sep 16, 2004, 10:44 PM

Because it, for the most part, is boring. The fights are the only interesting part of the sport.

olePigeon · Sep 16, 2004, 10:58 PM

Hockey and Rugby are the two best sports ever.

Well, those, and women's oil wrestling.

ReggieX · Sep 16, 2004, 11:13 PM

And yet they have all these damn expansion teams diluting the league.

TheBadgerHunter · Sep 16, 2004, 11:17 PM

I'm not a huge hockey fan, but it beats baseball and football (soccer is teh bomb tho).

Demonhood · Sep 16, 2004, 11:36 PM

because it's a relatively expensive sport to get into as a kid. so most kids don't play it growing up, and relate to it less when they get older. and scoring is infrequent, similar to soccer in that way.

i like hockey. but i've been playing it off and on for 15 years.

cjrivera · Sep 17, 2004, 12:10 AM

It's hard for kids in the US to get into hockey at an early age, or at least it used to be.

In other countries where it is colder, and you have iced over ponds and lakes during more of the year, it is easier for kids to get into hockey at an earlier age because they are exposed to it and have more chances to play (like pickup games of basketball in the inner cities or baseball in more rural areas). To play ice hockey in much of the US, you have to go to an ice rink (costs $) - if there's even one nearby -, need to have the proper equipment (costs $), and find someone who knows how to teach the basics to the kids. It's been a little more popular now that roller hockey with inline skates have got more affordable and kids can now get pickup games and leagues easier, but the cost of equipment still makes it prohibitive to some.

My 4yr old boy started in a beginner's league (indoor floor hockey) last year and loved it. He was much more interested in the local NHL team as a result.

cpt kangarooski · Sep 17, 2004, 12:41 AM

Webscreamer--

]. . . . there is no sport that you take interest to?

Nope. Don't like watching sports on tv, or live, nor playing sports. Sports are boring.

IIRC the last time I saw any kind of sport was at a friend's house, where he put on some video clips of Bob Sapp wrestling foolish fools that went up against him. It had some novelty value for about five minutes. I've been known to go to superbowl parties, but purely for the company.

Of course, since I used to live in Boston (and will be getting back there next summer) I support all their teams and I'm confident they'll win whatever it is there is to win in their respective sports, but I'm still not interested in watching or anything.

Zimphire · Sep 17, 2004, 12:43 AM

Hockey is popular in the northern part of this country.

If we were BETTER at it, it might be even more so.

MilkmanDan · Sep 17, 2004, 01:33 AM

People like to keep their teeth?

Maybe its too warm for ice in half the US?

dtriska · Sep 17, 2004, 01:35 AM

[Stupid Safari crashed, and I have to type this all over again!]

I never liked the spread of the NHL into the US. Florida has a team, yet Winnipeg doesn't. That doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway, I think the main reasons have been hit upon in this thread, the most salient being the lack of ease in playing shinny games. Kids in Texas can't exactly head over to their local outdoor rinks and play hockey after school.

I'd be kind of happy if the NHL expansion failed in the US. The economic situation would change to allow more Canadian teams. Maybe I'm being short-sighted, but I'm not alone in wishing for the good 'ole days.

cjrivera · Sep 17, 2004, 01:41 AM

Too many kids are drowning in lakes during spring training?

Lancer409 · Sep 17, 2004, 04:03 AM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
Too many kids are drowning in lakes during spring training?

haha

Lancer409 · Sep 17, 2004, 04:04 AM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Hockey and Rugby are the two best sports ever.

Well, those, and women's oil wrestling.

i second the oil wrestling... =P

nredman · Sep 17, 2004, 05:31 AM

hockey bores me, i never watch it on tv....but it is alot more fun to watch in person.

talisker · Sep 17, 2004, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
In other countries where it is colder, and you have iced over ponds and lakes during more of the year, it is easier for kids to get into hockey at an earlier age because they are exposed to it and have more chances to play (like pickup games of basketball in the inner cities or baseball in more rural areas). To play ice hockey in much of the US, you have to go to an ice rink (costs $) - if there's even one nearby -, need to have the proper equipment (costs $), and find someone who knows how to teach the basics to the kids. It's been a little more popular now that roller hockey with inline skates have got more affordable and kids can now get pickup games and leagues easier, but the cost of equipment still makes it prohibitive to some.

If only someone could come up with an alternative that didn't need to be played on ice. Perhaps it could be called hockey. Hey, they could even play it at the summer olympics. Then of course, we'd need another name for the existing version, maybe something like ice hockey. Just an idea.

typoon · Sep 17, 2004, 07:07 AM

Hockey What's that? Looks like with the lockout there may not be a hockey season.

cjrivera · Sep 17, 2004, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by talisker:
If only someone could come up with an alternative that didn't need to be played on ice. Perhaps it could be called hockey. Hey, they could even play it at the summer olympics. Then of course, we'd need another name for the existing version, maybe something like ice hockey. Just an idea.

Sorry. I didn't realize the original post was about hockey (field hockey). I thought the original poster was talking about ice hockey (what with the recent NHL lockout news and the World Cup).

Captain Obvious · Sep 17, 2004, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by talisker:
If only someone could come up with an alternative that didn't need to be played on ice. Perhaps it could be called hockey. Hey, they could even play it at the summer olympics. Then of course, we'd need another name for the existing version, maybe something like ice hockey. Just an idea.

Ummm...

Its been done and I've been playing it since I was a kid. Hell of a lot better then hockey. Hockey players wear too many pads. The puss!es. Field hockey is a girls game.

ManOfSteal · Sep 17, 2004, 09:08 AM

I love watching Hockey in person; however, I cannot stand to watch it on TV...

d4nth3m4n · Sep 17, 2004, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
In other countries where it is colder, and you have iced over ponds and lakes during more of the year, it is easier for kids to get into hockey at an earlier age because they are exposed to it and have more chances to play (like pickup games of basketball in the inner cities or baseball in more rural areas). To play ice hockey in much of the US, you have to go to an ice rink (costs $) - if there's even one nearby -, need to have the proper equipment (costs $), and find someone who knows how to teach the basics to the kids. It's been a little more popular now that roller hockey with inline skates have got more affordable and kids can now get pickup games and leagues easier, but the cost of equipment still makes it prohibitive to some.

not to mention that its really hard to see that puck on tv. i love PLAYING hockey, i still go to a pick up game at the local open air rink, but i cant seem to get into it on the tube.

and yeah, its hella expensive and the ice times to play (assuming you are anything other than 4 years old) are in the middle of the night. thats why i gave it up.

Skip Breakfast · Sep 17, 2004, 11:50 AM

I like hockey, but I'd say about 90% of the games are boring as hell. However, my main complaint about the NHL is the point system and overtime rules.

5 minutes for OT is stupid. There are far too many ties, and IMO, there should be no ties in ANY sport. People think I'm nuts, but I suggest that every 5 minutes into OT a player from each team gets off of the ice. I think it would be exciting to have a game come down to a 1-on-1 situation.

Skip Breakfast · Sep 17, 2004, 12:09 PM

One other thing: A team shouldn't receive a point for losing in overtime. You lose, you go home with nothing.

Eriamjh · Sep 17, 2004, 12:47 PM

If the Red Wings ain't winnin', I ain't watchin'!

And even if they are, I'm not...

Sep 17, 2004, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
not to mention that its really hard to see that puck on tv. i love PLAYING hockey, i still go to a pick up game at the local open air rink, but i cant seem to get into it on the tube.

Why is that Canadians and northern Americans (Chicago, Detroit, etc.), who have been watching hockey since the 50s, with fuzzy black and white TVs have never had a problem following the puck. Yet, as soon as it is broadcast in the southern US with perfect reception and high-res colour TVs, people whine "I can't see the puck?"

Sep 17, 2004, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
It's hard for kids in the US to get into hockey at an early age, or at least it used to be.

I don't buy that. Lots of kids play soccor growing up here, but it's not as popular as hockey, football, or baseball.

I think it's a matter of people like to watch what they're good at. Canadians feel a national pride when watching hockey. They like it because Canadians are good at it. Americans are good at football, and baseball - that is why they are more popular there.

thunderous_funker · Sep 17, 2004, 01:01 PM

I think its a TV thing. Hockey doesn't translate well on TV, plus its not TV contract friendly (no commercial breaks).

Most of the hockey fans I know weren't fans until they saw a game live. Seeing it live makes you appreciate the sport 1000 times more than trying to get a feel for it by watching it on TV.

Demonhood · Sep 17, 2004, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by hayesk:
Why is that Canadians and northern Americans (Chicago, Detroit, etc.), who have been watching hockey since the 50s, with fuzzy black and white TVs have never had a problem following the puck. Yet, as soon as it is broadcast in the southern US with perfect reception and high-res colour TVs, people whine "I can't see the puck?"

i've never had a problem seeing the puck. but then again, i know where to look

anyone remember when FOX put an orange trail on the puck and highlighted it? made it look like a video game. i don't think they do that anymore. which means that either those of us that can see the puck normally complained, or it didn't help gain any new fans. or maybe it's still around and i just don't watch hockey on FOX.

Agasthya · Sep 17, 2004, 01:17 PM

Do away with the red line, make offsides touch up instead of blowing the play dead, and increase the area behind the net. Open up the game. Enough of this clutching and grabbing ********.

ort888 · Sep 17, 2004, 01:53 PM

It is probably the sixth most popular sport, after football, baseball, basketball, Nascar and Golf. It is popular, but doesn't pull in the national TV numbers.

Hockey is very popular on a regional basis. There are about 10-15 American markets where it does well on TV, but no one outside of those markets wants to watch. Most hockey fans in these markets don't want to watch another team play either. So it gets very poor national ratings.

Peder Rice · Sep 17, 2004, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by dtriska:
I never liked the spread of the NHL into the US. Florida has a team, yet Winnipeg doesn't. That doesn't make sense to me.

I was in Manitoba last year and thought I had heard that a new arena was being built and that a team was coming in ~2006-ish. Am I wrong?

EDIT: Nevermind, I just read the horrible news.

Now I will be forever condemned to go to St. Paul for a professional hockey game (though, I do need to go to another UND Sioux game again)

dcolton · Sep 17, 2004, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by Demonhood:
i've never had a problem seeing the puck. but then again, i know where to look

anyone remember when FOX put an orange trail on the puck and highlighted it? made it look like a video game. i don't think they do that anymore. which means that either those of us that can see the puck normally complained, or it didn't help gain any new fans. or maybe it's still around and i just don't watch hockey on FOX.

I think they still do the puck trail.

I have never played hockey before, but my goal is to play goalie, at least once. A rink with leagues opened up a few years ago, now I need to decide if I want to invest the money in the equipment just to give it a try.

Anyone know, roughly, how much goalie gear would cost?

mitchell_pgh · Sep 17, 2004, 02:09 PM

For me... I've been to a handful of games. I had a great time.

That being said, it's not very situational. The scores are usually few and far between... it's also so expensive to play...

At least with baseball, if you can get a glove, a ball and a bat, you are ready to go.

mitchell_pgh · Sep 17, 2004, 02:10 PM

Also, I think few Americans hate hockey any more then they hate cricket or soccer.

They simply prefer other sporting events.

Demonhood · 03:06 PM

Originally posted by dcolton:
Anyone know, roughly, how much goalie gear would cost?

i'm no goalie, but a quick configuration on fogdog.com reveals:

blocker - $50
catcher/glove - $70
mask - $125
chest protector - $80
pads - $200
stick - $35

total - $555

sounds about right. the pads and helmet are the big differences from a 'regular' player. shin guards and a non-goalie helmet are a fair bit cheaper.
oh, to get this equipment on the cheap, buy used. my friend took up goaltending recently and bought all his stuff at 'play it again sports'. sure, he doesn't look too pretty out there in his mismatched gear, but it gets the job done.

good luck. stopping 90+mph rock hard objects flying at your face isn't everyone's cup of tea.

dcolton · Sep 17, 2004, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Demonhood:
i'm no goalie, but a quick configuration on fogdog.com reveals:

blocker - $50
catcher/glove - $70
mask - $125
chest protector - $80
pads - $200
stick - $35

total - $555

sounds about right. the pads and helmet are the big differences from a 'regular' player. shin guards and a non-goalie helmet are a fair bit cheaper.
oh, to get this equipment on the cheap, buy used. my friend took up goaltending recently and bought all his stuff at 'play it again sports'. sure, he doesn't look too pretty out there in his mismatched gear, but it gets the job done.

good luck. stopping 90+mph rock hard objects flying at your face isn't everyone's cup of team.

Looks like a visa commercial...now we need the tagline:

Two missing teeth....priceless.

As for stopping the puck, I was a catcher throughout HS and some college...90mph pucks don't scare me. I will probably get hurt, but that premise has never stopped me b4!

ironknee · Sep 17, 2004, 02:56 PM

i played hockey wheni was a teen...crazy for it...

and watching it is also fun...it's a great sport..last pure sport left

Sep 17, 2004, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by Demonhood:
i'm no goalie, but a quick configuration on fogdog.com reveals:

total - $555

Yeah, but any kids can get a few sticks and a ball and play street hockey - that's what most kids end up doing.

Demonhood · Sep 17, 2004, 03:28 PM

sure, that's what i did.
but dcolton wanted ice hockey goalie gear prices.

playing in the street is dirt cheap. the only problem is knowing enough people to get a game going, and having a street or cul de sac that isn't too busy.
the more kids that do this and stick with the sport, the better the NHL ratings will be.

oh, and if they eliminate the red line, do overtime shootouts, and a few other things to mix it up a bit.

splatq · Sep 17, 2004, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by rozwado1:
Because we need commercialism. Hockey's too pure. If NHL players start showing up on MTV, then people will watch it.

I know Joey Kocur & Nick Kypreos were on MTV after they won the Stanley Cup for the NY Rangers. They had the cup filled with ice and had raw oysters chilling on top.

splatq · Sep 17, 2004, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by hayesk:
Yeah, but any kids can get a few sticks and a ball and play street hockey - that's what most kids end up doing.

Hell, as kids, my cousin and I would set up a goalie net in his basement, put on some pads and a goalie mask, and whack a hackie sac instead of a puck at each other. It still hurt like a bitch when it hit you, but certainly a lot less than a puck would. It helped a lot with hand-eye coordination though. On second thought, we were pretty stupid kids.

olePigeon · Sep 17, 2004, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by Demonhood:
because it's a relatively expensive sport to get into as a kid. so most kids don't play it growing up, and relate to it less when they get older. and scoring is infrequent, similar to soccer in that way.

What are you talking about, scoring is perfect in Hockey. Just right amount of time between goals that you can sit down for a sip of beer before spilling it over your neighbour when your team scores.

Football is 2 hours of waiting to see some action. Hockey gives it to ya, sometimes even during the pregame warm up!

dtriska · Sep 17, 2004, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by Demonhood:
anyone remember when FOX put an orange trail on the puck and highlighted it? made it look like a video game. i don't think they do that anymore. which means that either those of us that can see the puck normally complained, or it didn't help gain any new fans. or maybe it's still around and i just don't watch hockey on FOX.

Well, I don't watch the NHL on American TV (nothing can beat Hockey Night in Canada), but I believe ABC had the TV rights in the US for the last season or so. The pass/shot trail was a FOX-only thing. And, my God, was it a stupid idea.

Spliff · Sep 17, 2004, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by splatq:
Hell, as kids, my cousin and I would set up a goalie net in his basement, put on some pads and a goalie mask, and whack a hackie sac instead of a puck at each other. It still hurt like a bitch when it hit you, but certainly a lot less than a puck would. It helped a lot with hand-eye coordination though. On second thought, we were pretty stupid kids.

Hell, we made our own goalie pads out of foam and our blocker was a piece of plywood strapped to a thick glove with duct tape. It looked like hell, but it did the trick.

ironknee · Sep 17, 2004, 10:01 PM

mylec...are they still around?

Sealobo · Sep 18, 2004, 06:00 AM

i was stuck in Toronto for 3 years and i never felt the game of hockey. I am sure it's a great sport, but i just didn't get it. I supported the Raptors big time though, even though they suck. (Stop being a pu55y Vince!) Seriously i found curling a bit more interesting than ice hockey.

lil'babykitten · Sep 18, 2004, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by Sealobo:
Seriously i found curling a bit more interesting than ice hockey.

Freak!

I'm a hockey player but we don't play on ice over here. Regular hockey on grass/astroturf/indoor surfaces is more popular in the UK. It's a part of the curriculum in most schools too. It's also quite a popular sport at university.