Two posts in one day...crazy, I know. But, as I was perusing through some reader mail after
my blurb on the side effects of hockey withdrawl, I came across this email:
Julie,
Your column is great. A good change of pace to constant rumors and grumblings and serious articles that this website is intended for. Thank You for that
So here's my question. Did you grow up with brothers? I guess I am curious as to why you love hockey so much. I am a season ticket holder of the Blues and am convinced if my girlfriend went to more games she would become fanatical like myself. We're about halfway there but the offseason definitely has killed all forward progress made last year. What can I do to help this transformation? Pink Jerseys? Cute Hats?
Thanks
Ryan
St. Louis, Mo.
Since this is a question that I am often asked, I figured it might be a good idea to answer it en masse...So listen up fellas and let me educate you :)
Hey Ryan!
First, thank you for the kind words! It's so good to hear when people understand my role on this site. I don't do rumors and I'm not a stat machine. I like to say I bring the fun and spread the hockey love :)
Second, I did not grow up with brothers. In fact, I am an only child, but my parents were (and still are) super cool people who introduced me to hockey at a very young age as they were season ticket holders and, obviously, big fans of the game.
Fun story for you: Back in the day, Flyers games were aired on Prisim - a local cable network that cost extra to have. Rather screwy for a Flyers fan, especially one that lived in a house that didn't even have cable! We had something called antenna service which got you about 20 channels, mostly local although it did include ESPN. Anyways, whenever the Flyers had a road game, there was a 95% chance that we were going out to eat that night at a local sports bar/restaurant so we could watch the game. Looking back on it, I'm sure it would have been more cost effective just to pay for the extra channel, but then it wouldn't be as interesting a story for you and certainly not as appetizing for me ;)
But to get to the meat of your question...There are several things that you can do to help your girlfriend become a devoted hockey lover or at least understand your passion for it.
You're on the right track by taking her to games. Watching on TV just doesn't cut it when there is so much about the game (let alone the game "experience") that you don't get to see, hear and feel through your TV screen no matter how big it is. One major issue to remember is that we don't like to feel stupid. Therefore, it's important to educate your lady friend on the rules/systems of the game in an open format. My suggestion is to start the learning process with a game that you don't care about - you can't get all wrapped up in the game and then get impatient and frustrated when she doesn't understand things when you say it the first time and start snapping at her when she has questions. That would be a major turnoff for her. Pre-season is an excellent opportunity or you can watch a game that doesn't involve your favorite team.
You also don't want to throw too much at her at once or she could get overwhelmed and want to throw in the towel. So, just like anything else this is a process and you need to get your game plan ready. Teach her the major things first...assuming she understands the object of the game, I would start off with the most common whistles - offsides, icing, power plays and penalty kills. Remember that the game moves fast and that to someone new to the game the puck is very hard to follow and that she isn't going to "get it" after the first game. So, the next game, you reinforce what you've already taught her and introduce new things - specific penalties (what is and is not allowed), set plays, how different players fulfill different roles on the team - playmakers, finishers, grinders, etc. Keep going from there and eventually she will start to understand how the game is played. It is only then that she will have the ability to develop a true passion for the sport. The key during your explainations is to be excited about teaching her yet patient enough not to make it too complicated too soon.
The one thing you want to be mindful of is teaching her about the whole sport and not just your team. You want to educate her enough to have meaningful conversations with her about player transactions, line changes, etc. so you have to teach her about other teams and players when the time comes. NEVER get into a hockey discussion with her and then say "You don't know what you're talking about" and walk out of the room as it is wrong on sooooo many levels especially because a) if she really doesn't know what she's talking about, it was your job to educate her and b) if she does know what she's talking about and you're just saying that because you're embarrassed, you should be man enough to admit it and be proud of the hockey loving fool she's become. :)
Also...it's important to understand at the start, that it is very possible that she just might not like hockey as much as you and that that's ok as long as she doesn't think you're crazy for loving it.
Now, let's address the "Pink Jerseys? Cute Hats?" - I am not a fan of either...I only have one jersey and it was given to me by the Flyers when I was Miss NJ and it has my name on it. Beyond that I really have no desire to have one, but if I did I would want a real jersey just in a ladies size/fit and usually in the darker color - much easier to care for. Unless your girlfriend is either a teenager or a big fan of pink, I wouldn't get her the pink jersey. If a guy bought me that, I'd appreciate the thought and would wear it just for him, but would think he was insulting my intelligence...again, we don't like to feel stupid and just because we're females doesn't mean we love all things pink. The same can not be said about pink hats or t-shirts though...I know you're thinking that that doesn't make sense, but we're females...we don't have to make sense ;) Just trust me...for whatever reason the pink shirts are cute and sometimes sexy, but the pink jerseys are costumish and a bit much. Before you go nuts buying her team gear, I would suggest you start small (like a keychain or foam finger) and see how she takes to it.
So there you have it :) It's not rocket science, just remember it won't happen overnight. If you have any other quesitons just ask...Good luck!!
Julie
That said, I LOVE getting mail from you guys! It helps me to know what you guys are looking for and gives me direction as to what to write about and which features you like to read most. So, keep them coming. It might be late, but I always reply even if it's just a thanks :)
Talk soon!
Jules
[email protected] 
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