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

[indcolts18288]

Long time Hawks fan here and after football, hockey is my favorite sport. I know its more popular currently but its still fairly rare. I have my theories but I want to hear some of yours.

[crenk]

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

It's not really a complicated issue. It is a regional sport. I was born in Connecticut and live in Massachusetts. We grew up on the ponds in the winter. We understand the game. Same as all of Canada, the Northeast in general and places like Wisconsin, Minnesota etc. If you grow up in Texas, Alabama etc you just dont really get hockey. They can be casual fans most of them just dont get or care about the game.

[DaRK]

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

There are plenty of hockey fans here in Jersey. The sad part is, there are a lot of Ranger/Islanders fans (yet born and raised in Jersey...??).

Hockey is the only sport I can watch and be excited to watch, but I do play it so that might be what peaks my interest in it. Other sports put me to sleep; I don't get the obsession Americans have with football, which literally puts me to sleep and not hockey.

[Storm12]

Wisconsin is a hockey hotspot? I live there and I'm not sure if the UW is a powerhouse in hockey... But yeah, I have been to Admirals games and they were great fun. I'm sure most of the northern US knows and has some sorta hockey heritage though.

[Dougie_G_93]

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

Wisconsin is a hockey hotspot? I live there and I'm not sure if the UW is a powerhouse in hockey... But yeah, I have been to Admirals games and they were great fun. I'm sure most of the northern US knows and has some sorta hockey heritage though.

Seriously?? The hockey program at Wisconsin is enormous. Maybe you don't pay attention but the Badgers are responsible for a ton of players in the nhl.

[MelBosco]

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

I don't think you can say that "Americans" don't like hockey, as there are 23 NHL teams, and countless other pro hockey teams all over the country.

Do they like it as much as Canadians? No, but its our (winter) national sport. I am sure it comes down to what you are brought up watching, and what you know.

I, for the life of me can not understand how people can watch a car drive in circles for 5 straight hours, but NASCAR is super popular.

Could I ever learn to like NASCAR, prob not, just like it would be tough to get someone from deep in the south to start watching hockey.

For the Stereotypical 'American' that you speak of, my theory is that hockey just moves too fast for them. If they like Baseball, or Football, those are two sports that have 5-10 seconds of action, then 2-3 min breaks.

Hockey is always moving, always has something happening. Not saying one is better than the other, but if you are used to watching something that has stop and start action, watching non stop action may bother you.

Possibly the same reason that watching football may bore you. Its prob the lack of consistent action that bugs you, I know that's why I don't watch the NFL.

In the end, its just different strokes for different folks. But always keep in mind, football is number 1 because of gambling, and baseball is right behind it because of gambling.

[PurePlayinSerb]

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

hockey is low scoring like another sport that doesn't catch on in america soccer go figure, im from a suburb of detroit, and yes we all played pond hockey growing up, and roller hockey, but most of us like basketball and football more, my theory low scoring is the problem... also i disagree about hockey being americas winter sport, basketball is

[Gagnon39]

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

I'm a rare breed. I was born and raised (and still live) in Western Kentucky. I'm a huge Blackhawks and hockey fan. Its my favorite sport. I've converted a few people but for the most part people don't really follow it. I don't know why.

[DaRK]

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

Possibly the same reason that watching football may bore you. Its prob the lack of consistent action that bugs you, I know that's why I don't watch the NFL.

That is very true. I have no idea how watching football is fun when people run a few yards and then stop again.

[Segagendude]

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

Fans in the "original 6" states are diehards. I think the league over expanded though with teams in warm weather states like Florida and Arizona.

Fans there usually only show up when the team's in the playoffs.

Myself, I think it's the most exciting time of year: April thru June. Don't much care for the regular season unless its a bitter rivalry in prime time (ex:Philly vs Pitt)

And with the way the NFL is slowly turning into touch football, it's fast becoming my favorite sport! I've been actually watching more regular season games as of late..

[CaptainSuperman]

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

Some say it's just too hard to follow. Whether they can't literally locate the puck to know who is doing what, or they don't understand the rules, icing, offsides, etc.

And like someone has already said, it's a low scoring game. I also think another big part of it is that the superstars aren't always on the ice. Basketball and Football usually have their best players on the court/field at all times. Those guys are cheering for Kobe/Lebron and Rodgers/Manning. They aren't cheering and wearing the jerseys of the guys on the bench.

[bwiggy33]

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

It's really hard to believe people dislike the sport. Hockey is a guaranteed 20 minutes of playing time every single period of every single game, and there are 4 commercial breaks per period. It just baffles me how people don't want constant action with very few breaks per period. Baseball and soccer are my second and third favorite sports. Within the past two years soccer surpassed football for me.

What I don't get is that the most talented sports IMO, hockey and soccer, are two of the least popular in America. There is no way in HELL basketball, football, and baseball players could do what hockey and soccer players do with their hands and feet, unless they had participated in the sport during their childhood (Steve Nash and Justin Morneau). Hockey and soccer players can do anything any other sport does. Run, jump, shoot, and throw. If you're an athlete you have those skills. Non hockey or soccer athletes do not come close to having the rare skills that hockey and soccer posses, such as the foot skills, stick skills, and balance. Hockey and soccer combine all of the athleticism that other sports do, but also add in other skills that someone must have to perform at a high level.

Overall though I think it's a regional thing. Back before the 90's most states probably didn't have one rink. That means people don't really have the option to play the sport, and obviously most states don't have an NHL team. People in southern states don't have a team to latch on to.

One more thing, the low scoring part is a huge factor. However, when you really look at it football and hockey have around the same amount of scores. Football may is probably a little higher. I'd say 5 goals is the average hockey game and a combination of 5-7 TD's or FG's is normal for football. The major difference is you get 3 or 7 points for a score.

[RagingTrav]

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

One more thing, the low scoring part is a huge factor. However, when you really look at it football and hockey have around the same amount of scores. Football may is probably a little higher. I'd say 5 goals is the average hockey game and a combination of 5-7 TD's or FG's is normal for football. The major difference is you get 3 or 7 points for a score.

But because TD's are worth more on the scoreboard, NFL fans believe it is a better game lol.

It's a lot like AFL and Rugby League here in Australia, if you're raised with it and understand it, it's a great game that you'll enjoy watching. But if you're not raised with it then you spend too long trying to figure it out when you watch to enjoy it.

I don't get everything tactically about hockey (I'm learning) but the speed, athleticism and strength/physical play of the game is what attracted me. I have a few friends who also think the same.

[MelBosco]

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

also i disagree about hockey being americas winter sport, basketball is

I agree, I should have specified that I am Canadian, so I was saying that it is our (Canadians) official winter sport.

[gopher_guy]

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

It's not really a complicated issue. It is a regional sport. I was born in Connecticut and live in Massachusetts. We grew up on the ponds in the winter. We understand the game. Same as all of Canada, the Northeast in general and places like Wisconsin, Minnesota etc. If you grow up in Texas, Alabama etc you just dont really get hockey. They can be casual fans most of them just dont get or care about the game.

Thanks, I just got a great laugh out of the fact that you said the phrase "understand the game" and the word "Wisconsin" in the same paragraph