Any Hockey Fans Around???

[RedWingDiver]

I gotta say that in my experience, it's hockey players that do things like this the most out of all professional athletes. You could go into any of the NHL teams locker rooms and I would bet that every single team has at least 10-20 stories like that in a given year. Hockey players seem to have the most humble upbringings and are the most accommodating of all players. You have guys like Darren McCarty and Ryan Smyth whose pregame preparations always involve throwing pucks to the kids as they skate off the ice. Guys like Curtis Joseph who buys a suite from whatever team he is playing for and has kids from local hospitals attend games in his suite.

When you realize how much hockey players give of themselves for the average fans, you really wonder why the sport isn't more popular.

 

[DaleHall]

When you realize how much hockey players give of themselves for the average fans, you really wonder why the sport isn't more popular.

Amen Brother!!!

 

[Vtdiver2]

I gotta say that in my experience, it's hockey players that do things like this the most out of all professional athletes. You could go into any of the NHL teams locker rooms and I would bet that every single team has at least 10-20 stories like that in a given year. Hockey players seem to have the most humble upbringings and are the most accommodating of all players. You have guys like Darren McCarty and Ryan Smyth whose pregame preparations always involve throwing pucks to the kids as they skate off the ice. Guys like Curtis Joseph who buys a suite from whatever team he is playing for and has kids from local hospitals attend games in his suite.

When you realize how much hockey players give of themselves for the average fans, you really wonder why the sport isn't more popular.

I think if you look at the popularity of hockey in the US (it's as popular as ever in Canada) it has become more popular, but I just don't think it's marketed well. Take a look at the rosters of US College hockey teams, and you'll see players from places like Texas, Florida, and other places I never expected to see them come from. I have season tickets to the University of VT, and it's something I do while waiting for the game to start. Like soccer, the game is growing in the US, but as long as US Networks try to show hockey games with gimicks like Fox's Blue Streaking puck, it won't be taken serious by the public at large.
I posted before, hockey is like scuba diving, as it's not the most popular, but I live for it.
C-Dawg

 

[tedtim]

I agree. The NFL seems to have a major project in supporting the United Way. The NHL seem to leave it to the individual teams.

In Ottawa we have Rogers House named in honour of Roger Neilson, which is a[SIZE=-1]hospice for pediatric palliative care built on grounds of the Childrens' Hospital of Eastern Ontarion. The players on the senators also give freely of their time, and example of which is Spelling With Spezza, a program to bring professional hockey players into the elementry classroom.[/SIZE]

We don't have NBA or MLB in Ottawa, so I can't speak to the efforts of those leagues. What I can say is the efforts of the hockey players and the team are well noticed here.

Now, if we can stop players from attackng each other with their sticks.

 

[tedtim]

santafejoe, you must be very happy with today's result. Lalime beat his former team. The Sens sure let this one get away from them in the third period.

I have tickets to Senators vs Penguins on Tuesday evening. This one should be entertaining considering how close they are in the conference standings.

 

[santafejoe]

Well it look s like the Meeting that Savard had with the Team after Friday night s loss to Detroit paid off.All we can do now is just play hard like today and win more games.

 

[ScubaTexan]

If I recall correctly, wasn't it Cam Janssen that went at it with Darcy Tucker about a year ago? Janssen is getting REALLY popular in Toronto, I'm sure...

 

[cowjazz]

Unfortualtely, I had to endure the Devil's broadcast during the B's Devils game on Sunday.

It was a pathetic Cam Jassen defense fest for three hours.

Jassen and the Devils see nothing wrong with the hit. Jassen said he doesn't want to see a guy get hurt, but he would make the hit again.

The company line from the Devils was ONLY 1.3 seconds elpased from when Kaberle passed the puck until when Jassen hit him. Not the 3 seconds as reported by some media outlets.

 

[Elevatorguy2]

Janssen is getting REALLY popular in Toronto, I'm sure...
Cam Jansen is as welcome as a free flow at 100 feet. What he did has no place in the game. As a Leaf fan I must say I was a little disappointed and some what concerned that nobody stood up to him the rest of the night.

 

[santafejoe]

I just watch the Video of that hit what a cheap shot that was.