[Amazing] 25 Cool Insights Into Ice Hockey Including Why The Cold War Isn’t Over
There are several different types of hockey, all of which have been around for thousands of years. In fact, hockey’s earliest known precursors were stick and ball games that go all the way to before there was even written language. Today, however, we are going to be talking about a specific type of hockey, known as ice hockey. This fast-paced and physical sport is most popular in northern North America (specifically Canada and the northern United States) and northern Europe. The National Hockey League (NHL) of North America is considered to be the premier hockey league of the world. The KHL, Kontinental Hockey League, is the highest league in Russia and the former Soviet Union. Modern ice hockey was developed from more simple games that English settlers brought to Canada. It evolved into its modern form most notably in Quebec, specifically Montreal where the first indoor game was played in 1875. In international competitions six countries known as the “Big Six” always dominate. These are Czech Republic, Canada, United States, Finland, Russia, and Sweden. And in women’s hockey, every single double gold (both Olympics and the IIHF World Championship) has been either won by the US or Canada. These are 25 cool insights into ice hockey including why the Cold War isn’t over.
Featured Image: pixabay
As you can tell from the title, the Cold War never ended (geopolitically speaking, this could also be debated), it just shifted to the ice. The US and Russia are two of the most dominant ice hockey powers in the world
Source: reddit
The greatest, however, is usually Canada. In fact, in 1930, Canada was considered so dominant that they didn't even play in the knock out rounds of the tournament. They were just put straight into the championship. And then they won.
Source: wikipedia
In 1993 Chris Draper was traded for $1 to the Detroit Red Wings. From then on he came to be known as the 1 Dollar Man and went on to win 4 Stanley Cups
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Hockey is dangerous. In 1989, Clint Malarchuk, had his throat cut open during a game. The only reason he survived was because his coach was an army medic.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
In 1930, Abie Goldberry actually caught fire when a puck hit some matches that he had in his pocket.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
When the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1962 they accidentally threw it into a bonfire and had to pay for the damages
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
The Stanley Cup has more than 20 engraving errors on it. For example, Boston is spelled "Bqstqn".
Source: wikipedia
The NHL doesn't own the Stanley Cup and in the event of a lockout, any team could potentially challenge it
Source: lawyersweekly.ca, Image: wikipedia
The Buffalo Sabres are the only team to have killed an animal during an NHL game (a bat)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Even if Wayne Gretzky never scored a goal, he would still be the NHL's leading scorer. How? He has more assists than anybody else has points.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
The women's hockey team of Slovakia made it into the 2010 Olympics by beating Bulgaria 82-0. They then went on to lose to Canada 18-0.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Patrick Roy and Mario Lemieux, two of the most famous hockey players in history, were born on the same day barely 200km (125 miles) apart (in Canada...of course)
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
In 1974, the manager of the Buffalo Sabres drafted a player that didn't exist to make fun of the slow process. Nobody even noticed what had happened until training camp.
Source: wikipedia
An average hockey player can lose up to 8 pounds during a game (water weight from sweat)
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
In 1987, during the Junior Hockey Championships, the USSR and Canada got into a fight that just wouldn't end. It went for so long that the officials even tried turning off the lights in the arena (it didn't help)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
After a player-fans brawl in 1979, the NHL decided to install higher plexiglass panels around the rinks
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
When he was 6, Wayne Gretzky played in the 10 year olds league. Because his jersey was too big, he tucked it in on the right side. He continued to do this throughout his career.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
In 1905, some players from the Ottawa Silver Seven kicked the Stanley Cup into the frozen water of the Rideau Canal and had to go after it the next morning
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
The 1919 Stanley Cup Finals were the only championship where no winner was declared due to an influenza outbreak that hospitalized the teams
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Tiger Williams is known for having the most NHL penalties. He spent nearly 3 days, or 3966 minutes in the penalty box
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
It wasn't until 1979 that players in the NHL were required to wear helmets. Players who signed before that date, however, were allowed to continue playing without helmets. The last player to play without a helmet was Craig MacTavish in 1997.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
If both goalies are injured, an NHL team is allowed to choose anybody to fill the role, including a fan.
Source: nhl.com, Image: wikipedia
There is a team of Catholic priests called the Flying Fathers. They raise money for charity by playing exhibition games.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Doctors in Canada (British Columbia) are banned from talking about hockey during surgery
Source: nbcsports.com, Image: wikipedia
And to cap things off, in the USSR bears were taught to play ice hockey. Yes...bears
Source: wikipedia
