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