| Considering the country's love affair with | | | | opposing team is crushed against the boards. |
| the game most people would be surprised to | | | | Of course, some people wonder if this is |
| learn that hockey is not the national sport | | | | propensity for violence is teaching young |
| of Canada. Many people in Canada eat, sleep, | | | | fans to be violent. Unfortunately, violence |
| and breathe hockey. The roots of hockey are | | | | has turned up in the little leagues. While |
| in Ireland, back when it was called Hurley, | | | | some of the little leagues are adopting no |
| but hockey is defiantly a Canadian sport. Due | | | | tolerance policy for aggressive play, and |
| to its infectious nature, hockey has caught | | | | some have banned this type of contact all |
| on all over the world. It became very popular | | | | together, the professional teams under the |
| throughout Canada, especially the East coast | | | | NHL have not followed suit. |
| in the 1800s. | | | | |
| | | | It's not just children that become too |
| In 1917, a league was formed to guide the | | | | involved - in some instances, some of the |
| play among professional hockey teams. This | | | | parents have become a bit too passionate in |
| league, the National Hockey League (NHL) | | | | recent years. Many little leagues are |
| originally consisted of five teams. But the | | | | struggling with fights between parents and |
| numbers quickly grew and by the end of the | | | | verbal and physical abuse against referees |
| century there would be 30 teams from all over | | | | and coaches. As a result, many parents are |
| Canada and the USA. For many fans, hockey is | | | | turning from the sport or putting their |
| serious business. | | | | children in after school hockey programs. |
| | | | It's a frustrating when the parents are more |
| During Stanley Cup, in recent years, the US | | | | focused on winning than the kids. |
| teams have dominated the hockey playoffs. | | | | |
| However, hockey still has a bigger following | | | | Europe also enjoys much success in the world |
| in Canada. Hockey Night in Canada is quite an | | | | of hockey. Little known places such as |
| event in many households and sports bars. | | | | Belarus has been highlighted after the recent |
| Several teams like the Winnipeg Jets and the | | | | world championships. Little ice hockey can be |
| Quebec Nordiques have fallen by the wayside | | | | played anywhere you can find frozen ponds in |
| in Canada in the past several years. High | | | | the winter. This is not always the case |
| player salaries are an unfortunate cause. | | | | though, look at the Los Angeles Kings. |
| | | | |
| Compared to any professional sport Hockey | | | | Hockey is one of the best-loved games in |
| stars are among the highest paid. Many of the | | | | North America and many fans have their |
| top players head to teams in the US partly | | | | fingers crossed that there will be at least a |
| due to this reason. Thanks to high salary | | | | few games this 2004/2005 NHL season. But |
| demands, Many Canadian teams have a hard time | | | | there are farm teams and minor leagues that |
| retaining their homegrown players. There has | | | | are still playing so at least fans can get |
| been no game so far this season due to this | | | | their hockey fix. If you are wondering what |
| key issue of dispute in 2004. | | | | the fuss is all about, be sure to check out a |
| | | | game at your local area and feel the |
| Hockey can be at times a violent game with | | | | excitement in the air. No wonder hockey is so |
| spectators cheering their team as the | | | | popular! |