|
NHL Ice Girls Debate Continues - 14 Years Later |
|
|
|
|
|
Are we serious? This debate is still going on? In a country filled with major political and economic issues that are dragging us to the brink of destruction, there are still those people who have time and energy to complain about bare midriffs?
Well, welcome to America. You must be new here.
Needless to say, it just about made me crazy seeing the article on MSN’s home page about a handful of San Jose Sharks fans protesting the new outfits of their ice squad right next to articles about the rising death toll in the middle east, the dangers of fracking and a deadly typhoon. http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_26155639/purdy-sharks-offseason-issues-include-ice-girls
Then to also see a more extensive article in The Hockey News, making note that this is all the Islanders’ fault since they introduced Ice Girls in 2001, I threw up my hands in disbelief. http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/women-can-do-more-than-just-clean-up-and-cheer-at-hockey-games/ I did find an article in the WSJ from 2001 regarding the introduction of Ice Girls which made me laugh at the outrage it portrayed.
What is the problem? Don’t give me that “objectifying” women crap. That is in every corner of our society as humans. I’d much rather see women with the freedom to be scantily clad than women forced to wear burkas.
The NHL doesn’t “need” cheerleaders you say? Does any sport? Cheerleaders are there to entertain during the lulls and to keep the crowd upbeat when things may not be going so well for on the playing field. Is that really an issue?
THN writes that Ice Girls make it seem as if women have no place in hockey. Huh? The NHL has numerous female reporters and the last time I checked women’s hockey was growing in leaps and bounds on both the national and local levels.
You want to make women a larger part of hockey? Okay. Invite the local girls or women’s teams to come play on the big ice in between periods instead of the mites. Certainly the tiny tots teetering on their skates are adorable, but go ahead, show that teenage girls and full grown women play hockey.
Speaking of women’s hockey -- is anyone complaining about the Sports Illustrated Body issue with the photo of the gorgeous and naked female hockey player nestled between the pages of naked male sports figures? No.
This is America. Are these women being compensated for what they are doing? Yes. Are they being forced to work in these roles? No. If you have time to complain about the outfits of team employees, you have time to write to congress about pesticides killing off the bee population which will lead to widespread food shortages.
THAT is a much worthier cause for complaint.
In other news, Art Staple of Newsday has an extensive article on Ryan Strome and his quest to make the team. Brock Nelson continued his community involvement yesterday by assisting with on ice coaching at a local arena and Thomas Hickey will be at the team store on Monday.
The rumor mill has Garth Snow trying to package Grabner with other assets in an effort to improve the team. But that is a rumor and of course I'll be the last person in hockey to know.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»