According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of Religion includes: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.Hockey is neither a replacement or substitute for true religion. However, based on the definition above, it can be said that it does carry some of these characteristics. Hockey players both young & old, professional and amateur do carry a common set of attitudes, beliefs & practices. From these beliefs, the creation of the Hockey Church blog was created.
On Sunday mornings (when I'm not on a road trip with my travel hockey son), I go visit my friend, Matt Johnson at his coffee shop. Although we have differing views on most things in life, we agree on just about every aspect of hockey (except he's a Canuck fan and I'm for the Blackhawks). The discussion of adult hockey recreational leagues being too serious, parents of youth players not allowing kids to enjoy the game and poor marketing of the NHL to the masses are topics we discuss and analyze. So one day at the rink, Matt says "So I'll see you this Sunday at Hockey Church ?" The name was fitting as we do preach the hockey message to the handful of followers that attend sermon every Sunday morning, so the name stuck.
Our discussion is not always a negative spin on what is wrong with what we believe is the greatest sport played. The developing skills of novice adult players is a typical topic of conversation. Add some debate regarding which NHL player will win the Hart Trophy and you have the makings of a great church service.
Those of us who play the sport (or played it in the past), have children who play or even those who just enjoy watching a game understand what hockey is all about. My mission is to get us all together through a unified message. By highlighting those things that I believe are great about our sport and shedding light on how to fix those things that are holding it back, we can help promote hockey to everyone at all levels. This message can also help guide newcomers to hockey and answer some of their basic questions. For I believe, that a lack of knowledge and understanding is the primary reason hockey is not accepted like other major sports. At the same time, I believe that we, as true hockey fans, are not the best ambassadors of this sport and can do so much more to advance its popularity.
The message of this blog will be of strong opinion but also encouragement. Focusing on issues from the youth levels to the pros will also bring solutions rather than just complaints. After all, those that dwell on all the negatives without an option to make it positive are not helping the cause. So bring your beliefs, open your mind, and help preach the positive word of hockey to all you encounter....and maybe see you at Hockey Church on one of these Sundays.
