| Hockey is considered to be winter sport, but many | | | | outdoor rinks smack with slap shots for most of the |
| people would enjoy watching emotional and impressive | | | | winter months. And winter weekends for many |
| hockey games through the whole year. Among | | | | families across the country mean five to six am time |
| various kinds of sports there are some which are | | | | slots for children hockey teams at local arenas. It is |
| definitely associated with each country. Hockey is the | | | | more than a pastime it is a way of life. Children dream |
| game that Canadian are most passionate about, and | | | | of being on a Stanley Cup winning National Hockey |
| most sports fans would agree it is Canada which can | | | | League (NHL) team some day. |
| be associated with hockey. The game of hockey was | | | | The Stanley Cup was donated by Canadian Governor |
| invented in Canada and is definitely the country most | | | | general Frederick Arthur, Lord Stanley of Preston in |
| important contribution to the world of sports. | | | | 1892 to be given annually to the best Canadian hockey |
| The first game was splayed in Montreal in 1879 by | | | | team. Today both American and Canadian hockey |
| McGill University students. Today it is played | | | | teams, members of the NHL which was formed in |
| professionally in over twenty countries. There are a | | | | 1917 compete each season for the Stanley Cup |
| number of local, provincial and national amateur hockey | | | | trophy. |
| teams across the country. It is also quite a common | | | | Hockey starts are more than famous athletes, they |
| for people to play what are referred to as pick up | | | | are Canadian legends. Names of legendary hockey |
| games just for fun. The wooden side boards of | | | | players have become the part of Canadian history. |