Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

Americans are mainly interested in sports that are dominated by most americans. NFL created by americans, NBA dominated by americans. Baseball created by america, but no longer dominated by them so interest is not as high. Hockey? Canadian created Canadian dominated. Just my opinion based on loose facts.

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

I partially agree with what you're saying but I don't think that's why people don't like hockey. What you are talking about is just the end result of the actual factors that affect participation and growth of the game. With basketball it's extremely easy to play and costs next to nothing. American's like simple and easy. Then you add in the factor of regions and that most states don't have freezing weather and people can continue playing basketball outside basically every day. That's why participation is so high with basketball and that's why you get so many people from America playing it. The same goes for the other sports. With football you may not have the equipment but you can still play it in your backyard and replicate the sport.

Hockey is not like any of those sports so you need people from other countries to come to America and Canada to play. The league wouldn't be as entertaining if that didn't happen. I agree that the lack of Americans (which is growing) does affect the popularity, but I guarantee that there would be much more popularity and participation if hockey had the advantages that basketball, football, and baseball do. To me what makes hockey great is the diversity in it, especially now. Canada obviously developed the sport but now the NHL has players from every where. There have been so many players from other countries that have brought different skill sets and styles to the NHL.

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

Completely disagree.
So Canada is all about maple syrup, back bacon, and hockey.
Does that sound about right? eh?
How's that for loose facts?

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

To paint brush and say Americans don't like hockey would be the same as someone saying "Why don't Canadians like baseball, football or basketball?" Shouldn't single out Americans in that kind of statement because last time I'm checked the majority of the teams in the NHL are based in America and a lot of the arenas are sold out. Who buy's those tickets??? Americans! I can tell you for a fact that here in Tampa, the Lightning have more of a capacity over the past few years than the Bucs and Rays! I for one love hockey and I know there are approximately 18,000 people in this area that love it. So to ask the question and label Americans is just wrong!



:usa:

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

I think one of the main reasons is the price of playing hockey. That's the main reason why I never played organized hockey. If kids don't play it growing up, they're less likely to enjoy the sport as an adult. Of course in climates like Minnesota, I spent my winters playing pond hockey and boot hockey. Fell in love with the sport very early in life, even though I never played in an organized league.

Some parents spend THOUSANDS of dollars on their kids' hockey careers. Going to camps in the summers, etc. I know of a player who plays for the Gophers (my dad is from the town where this player is from, and still works there) whose parents lost their house because of the expenses for sending him to all the tournaments and stuff all around the world.

Talk about putting a lot of pressure on your kid to make it to the NHL :eek:

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

Probably cause they cant eat that much in three 20 minute periods then they can in baseball and NFL :P LOL

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

I think there are a multitude of reasons many which will never change. For starters someone pointed out the regional aspect. This is true but even in those regions the sport is still not popular enough. I think the NHL does a horrific job of marketing itself. Nascar showed just how good marketing can take a sport that was somewhat regional and make it boom all over the U.S. I also think the seasons start and finish are ill timed and to long for the casual fan or to attract new fans.... .and this will never change. Football Baseball and Basketball still trump hockey in the U.S. and the season starts around week 4 of the NFL as well as during the playoffs/world series for baseball. They then compete with the NFL season/playoffs/superbowl as well as the NBA. Then as the season winds down we hit warm weather and the start of baseball again. The Stanley Cup is played in June when much of the U.S. is having gorgeous outdoor weather and baseball well underway. The casual fan or non fan could care less about the NHL if there home team is not making a run for the cup. Like I said good marketing could help. the NHL players are probably the most fan freindly and down to earth people out of all the major sports and the NHL should use that to its advantage. Oh shutting your sport down once every 5 years is not going to help either.................

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?
 

let me put it this way being American. We love hockey, hockey is the best sport out there next to football. Where hockey runs into trouble with its player base is the fact that football.. baseball.. and basketball people can just pick up a ball and play. Hockey is a very expensive sport to get into. It requires blades, gear, a net, sticks, and so on. In the end to get the full rush of hockey you would like to have all of the equipment. I personally do not want to get hit by a puck without body armor on lol..
Thats my opinion on why its not as big as the other sports our country is so big on.