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Hockey's impact on Canadians
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In 1994, the Canadian Federal government compromised and voted to make hockey Canada’s National Winter Sport and lacrosse Canada’s National Summer Sport. Which Sport should be named Canada’s true national sport? Hockey is in the blood of all Canadians. Millions can vividly remember the first time they put on a pair of skates and stepped onto the ice. Providing nation-wide entertainment, Canadians are overcome by emotional realization that “Canada is hockey.”- Mike Weir. Generations of Canadians were brought up listening to Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday evening on the radio. It is more than just a sport in Canada, it defines the culture. Look no further than the five-dollar bill. One will observe a group of children playing a game of hockey on a frozen pond. The sport is part of Canada’s national identity.
The defining moment of the importance of hockey in Canada was “The Goal of the Century” in 1972. It was the evening of September 28th; the site was Moscow – U.S.S.R. In the midst of the Cold War, a game-winning goal by Canadian hockey player Paul Henderson at the end of the third period with only 34 seconds left on the clock vaulted Canada to a victory at the Summit Series and put them on top of the hockey world. The heart and character of Canadian hockey internationally began. “The exact moment of that spectacular goal has become a reference point in our national collective consciousness.”- R. Eagleson (Foreword). It was the climatic goal watched by almost every Canadian, and their pride swelled to amazing heights. Hockey is more than just a game in Canada, it is a celebrated history. Hockey is Canada’s identity. “Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inho...
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The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.
hockey grew, so did the sport. After various problems between teams playing with different rules, McGill University stepped in
That night, the people of Lake Placid went running and cheering through the streets. The next day, the victory made hockey the front-page of newspapers everywhere; the impact reached everywhere, and is still felt today. Since that victory, hockey has almost tripled in popularity in the US at both amateur and professional levels.
There are many players in NHL history who have influenced the game here and there, but one whose legacy still lives on today is Jacques Plante. Jacques Plante was a phenomenal goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, with his career ranging from 1952-’53 to 1974-’75. The moment he is famous for was one game when he got hit in the face with a shot. Back then, goalies didn’t use facemasks, until this game. He had to get stitches, but he got back onto the ice. With that game, he changed hockey history. Another one of the most well-known players in the NHL is Jaromir Jagr. Jagr is currently playing for the Florida Panthers and is the oldest player still playing in the NHL at the age of 44. Jagr played well, but recently got knocked out of the playoffs
The Canadian interest in Hockey as well as the entertainment it gives to people makes it the worthiest of all sports.
...ayed a strong role in the increase of soccer participation as 1 in every 5 Canadians now is a visible minority and with soccer being the most played sport worldwide many are bringing this sport culture to Canada. Moreover, the hosting of international events has led to an increase in media exposure that has allowed more Canadians to experience professional soccer either on TV or at a stadium. The expansion of the MLS has given Canadians a chance to enjoy soccer at their front door and with European stars making their way to NA the league has been truly put on the map and has increased in popularity and viewership. As a Canadian, one must wonder what will the Canadian sport culture look like in the future. With immigration rising and soccer gaining popularity with the general public will the “beautiful game” as it is known around the world one day be Canada’s game.
"Tops TV shows in Canada are all American." Digital Home RSS. http://www.digitalhome.ca/2010/06/american-tv-shows-sweep-top-10-in-canada-2/ (accessed January 25, 2014).
“‘They score! Henderson has scored for Canada!’” Foster Hewitt wordlessly described” (Pelletier) when Paul Henderson scored the series-winning goal. This allowed Canada to win the 1972 Summit Series, a moment that no one would ever forget since it all happened during the climax of the Cold War. Prior to this, the Soviets had won the previous three Olympic gold metals since Canada could not use its NHL players. Thus, this provided Canada with the chance to play hockey against the USSR using its best players. This raised the question: if Canada were able to send its best players, would it still be enough to beat the Soviets? Everyone in Canada was certain that the Soviets would not win a single game, but little did they know they underestimated the extent of the Soviets abilities. Tied in the last few minutes of game eight, Canada had to score or they would lose the series. However, when Paul Henderson scored the game-winning goal, never before had a single sporting event meant so much to Canadians. Therefore, Paul Henderson’s goal is a defining moment for Canada in the twentieth century becauseit provided Canada with the opportunity to evolve hockey, proved that Canada and our democratic society were superior to the USSR and their communist society, and brought citizens together to unify Canada as a nation.
Canada is famous for excelling in winter sports such as curling. Would it not make sense for Canada’s national sport to be a winter sport? It makes sense that curling would be Canada’s national sport but this is not the case because lacrosse is our national sport. Lacrosse is not a popular sport in many parts of our country, whereas curling is. Canada’s national sport should be changed from lacrosse to curling. Our national sport should be curling because of our climate, it is an Olympic sport, and we are known for producing some of the best curlers in the world.
...know" (The Canadian Press, 2013). Hockey is one of the most difficult sports out there, and dropping the gloves and looking another fighter straight in the face is one of the most challenging parts of it. Getting rid of fighting will not necessarily make the game safer, and it could potentially cause a decrease in the number of fan viewership. The players and leagues understand what they are getting themselves into and they are aware of the culture of the sport, which is rich with fighting history. They respect that aspect of the game, and they respect their opponents as players and fighters. There will never be a time when everybody is happy about the state of fighting in hockey, but for now, the NHL is taking the right steps toward maintaining this historically important part of the game, while also making adjustments to keep the players as safe as possible.
This increasing government control began in the 1950s with the creation of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and cumulated with the disbandment of the CAAA in the 1970s (Morrow & Wamsley, 2005). Today, Sport Canada is the federal government organization that deals with sport in Canada. Sport Canada largely plays an advisory and funding role (Sport Canada, 2015). It runs three programs with two placing a focus on elite level sport and one on participation and development. The Athlete Assistance Program and Hosting Program are designed to aid elite athletes financially and to support organizations hosting major games. The Sport Support Program is designed to help develop coaches and athletes and increase participation from all Canadians. Sport Canada had a budget of approximately two-hundred million dollars in 2013 (Sport Canada, 2015). Sport Canada relies heavily on partnerships with the private sector, sport organizations and the provincial and territorial governments to meet its goals of participation and excellence (Sport Canada, 2015). Currently “Canadian Sport Policy 2012” is the document that lays out the objectives and values of Canada’s sport system. “A dynamic and innovative culture that promotes and celebrates
Ice Hockey has no official date of origin. However, it was first created in the 1800’s by King’s College School, who adapted a favorite field game called Hurley to make ‘’Ice Hurley”, later changed its name and become known as Ice Hockey. “Thomas Chandler Haliburton, born in Windsor in 1796, told of King’s boys playing “Hurley on the ice” when he was a young student at the school around 1800. This is the earliest reference in English literature of a stick-ball game being played on ice in Canada.” (Vaughan ). Canada is largely assumed to be the “birthplace’’ of ice hockey while some sources point to its unconfirmed origin in Europe. Actually, the game wasn’t introduced in Montreal until 1875 (Vaughan).
The Stanley Cup has a long story. It begins in 1892, when Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor of Canada at that time, bought a silver bowl that was 7.5 inches high and 11.5 inches across. This is the original Stanley Cup. In 1893, the first ever Stanley Cup championship was held. The first winners of the cup were the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association hockey club. With that name, the tradition of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was born. The Stanley Cup Playoffs followed professional ice hockey wherever it went. At first, the NHA (National Hockey Association) had complete ownership of the Cup. But eventually, the NHA faltered, and NHL took the Cup off their hands for the ownership of the historic Cup. The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been played
In 1980, there were 10,490 hockey teams in the United States. In 1990, the total was 14,969. The game really took off after this. By 1997, U.S.A Hockey had registered 29,479 teams and 449,168 players. Players are still inspired to this day by the feat. Herb Brooks was what held the team together. He is the reason the Americans won against the “unbeatable” Soviets.
My first distinct memory of Hockey Night in Canada occurred in the autumn of 1981. The sun was still over Lake Ontario, a couple of hours had passed since dinner. My dad asked me to go to bed. It wasn't a punishment, simply a request. I wa...