Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Hockey It's Good For The Soul

When my boys were little they were doing some volunteer stuff at a hospital.

They met a few guys in the hallway and goofed around with them for about an hour.

When they told me their story at the end they mentioned that the guys were visiting an injured teammate from the Rockies.

I wished I would have been around hockey when I was young... but being from Virginia, I had no real exposure until I went to college in Boston.

I did play soccer tho, ( along with baseball) which I picked up while living in England from 63 to 66, along with Rugby and Cricket..

I loved soccer best because I could be a bull in a china shop . I would have loved Hockey for the exact same reason...

But I never could stand up on a pair of skate, in my college days, not that I tried very much...

but like any sport I'd rather play than watch someone else play it...

just the way it goes I guess.

Last year's playoffs. Sept 15 2020. Screenshot from the TV with my phone so pic quality not the best. Lightning player during the Anthem.



When in attendance I stand and place my hand like his. When I happen to watch a game from the very beginning, warm ups, Anthem etc, I even stand like that in my living room............................because that's the way I was taught and it's the way I feel.

And yes, when I'm at or watching a game against a Canuckian team, I stand for their Anthem too. I've been at enough games since the late 60's early 70's I know it nearly as well as the Star Spangled Banner.

RE: azzhat NHL hockey players................there's been enough of them and there are still a few. They're humans too, albeit exceptional athletes, and some have all the problems some humans do. Sex, drug, gambling addictions and such are not unknown, even in today's game.

Growing up on our side of the street we had 3 backyard ice rinks in the winter.

We would bundle up with layers of clothes, it was dang could in North Dakota, and play hockey with the neighbor kids.

We even used a cue ball for a puck for a bit after losing our only puck...lol...

Different times...

I don't know how many MLB, NBA, or NFL players do stuff like that, but based on my limited experience it happens regularly in the hockey world.

When younger I played some pick up games at the local House of Ice. 20 guys, $3 a piece, rent the ice for an hour after the public skates and the Zamboni run. Sometimes the Zamboni driver played too. Pick teams. Coupla coolers of beer on the bleacher seats. Once we had a huge guy, 6 foot 4 at least get on the ice to warm up. (I'm all of 5'8" ) He started booming shots at the net. I asked who's he. Seems he was a Detroit prospect playing in Las Vegas or some such minor league during his season and he was just keeping in shape getting ice time. I went in the corner after a puck, looked up, he was barreling down. I just let him have the puck, I had to go to work the next day.

One night an older black gentleman suits up. Sure as scheidt, Willie O'ree out there for a friggen pick up game.

Buddy of mine lived in the Whitefish MT area, says Murray Craven and few "friends" would show up for some of their games.

I've heard these stories for years, so goalie's and Ducksanddogs stories don't surprise me in the least.

https://youtu.be/KLFrDrSozNw

My kids team in the state finals. Sorry, I'm proud.

Had to argue against. I’ve spent most of my 50yrs involved in the sport in some fashion or another.

Hockey is so special because of its origin in Canada.
In my day , it was cheap entertainment and most the players were small town kids, farm kids etc.
You can't beat them on the ice if you can't beat them in the alley, Old time hockey.
These kids simply could not afford the game today, I feel the NHL is missing the greatest pool of talent because they don't cater to the most gifted athletes who are often the most gritty and determined but to poor to play these days.
I still play, with the newest skates and sticks and believe me the equipment is a game changer
I always wonder how Bobby Orr or Bobby Hull would of played today. I think they would be even more dominant in today's NHL.

That’s awesome!

Reed was one of my favorite players growing up. Way back when the wings held training camp at McMorran arena in port huron the skates would be open. My brother and i would hang over the rail behind the net hollering at the players.

A sport that lets you carry a club and strap knives to your feet is pretty cool. It has been on a downhill course since they keep adding rules and the players wear helmets and face shields.


mike r

Some pretty good hockey players there, a real joy to watch.

I saw both Orr and Hull, Orr was hurt at the time and near the end of his career and still exellent, Hull I saw several times, he was in his prime with the Winnipeg Jets, and was the best player I have ever seen with my own two eyes, an exellent skater...the golden jet.

Can you imagine Gretzky's records if he play now when the Zebras call every little weenie hook, hold, and slash? Things that were expected in the "olden days".

Can you imagine those two you mentioned with modern sticks?

Orr, Hull, Howe, Gretz probably wouldn't of played today because their families wouldn't have the money...all would be superb in today's NHL. Luckily I saw them all play. Orr and Hull were the most exciting of this group. Orr was competley off the charts when he wasn't hurting.

Not much slashing and spearing with Derek around. RIP Derek Boogaard.
Some great fights here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmsfxIWImow

Worst part of Hockey is when it ends. After the Stanley Cup folks are stuck with what? Baseball... I'd rather watch paint dry. Or golf. I feel fortunate to have grown up in a Hockey town.. Best memories of my dad was being at a Spokane Jets or Chiefs game with him.

Shag, you're not too far away from a Chiefs' game now, are you?

When I lived in E WA, downriver from your county, I managed to get together with a coupla friends and get to a game against the Winterhawks.

It's not the big show, but it was some pretty decent hockey.

When I was a kid, growing up on the border, it was common knowledge among my friends that Canadians always did it dogstyle on Saturday night so nobody'd have to miss any of the hockey game.