One can not discount the growth of Hockey in the U.S.

When the stars moved to dallas, there were no high school hockey programs. Now there are 87.

When I moved to ORlando in 87, I was the youngest/only high school hockey player, playing mens leagues. Now there are high school leagues, we have home grown talent playing in CHL, and division 1 NCAA hockey. Only a matter of time before we get a draft pick.

While it seems stagnant, Hockey has a huge following nation wide. Its growth has been solid. The depth of people in the South into hockey is a lot more pronounced than what you might think..
- TrueGrit

You were stii in HS in '87? GET OFF MY LAWN!

Canada' population is about 35 million, Sweden about 10M and Finland 5M. Look what those countries produce.

If every U.S. state eventually has 200,000 kids playing the game, that's 10 Million. They will produce more players than Canada, Sweden and Finland combined. Might still be the #4 sport, but who cares provided the game grows.
- RickJ

I think it is a very good bet what you said comes true and none of the 3 other major sports will see as much growth within the next 10 years as the NHL.

Crawford and top guns outshine Stars 5-2.

My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1gB4kQ4

On Twitter @AlCimaglia

This for sure.

Goals are not as important as action around the net: a 1-0 game with lots of shots, great saves, legal hard hits, etc. is a much more exciting game than an 8-7 "shoot-out" with bad defense and goal tending.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed....the best regular season game I watched last season(as far as Hawks games)was the game vs Detroit...and I'm pretty sure it ended 2-1...not a lot of goals, but an up and down pace that was breath taking....And after the game, hockey fans in general were all saying: And the league wants to separate these two teams??

I think it is a very good bet what you said comes true and none of the 3 other major sports will see as much growth within the next 10 years as the NHL.

Crawford and top guns outshine Stars 5-2.

My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1gB4kQ4

On Twitter @AlCimaglia
- Al

Great read Al....nice to have something to read during the Bears game commercials ....I thought Rosy had his best game last night...and Kruger is looking better at the dot....is Yanic Perreault making that much of a difference this soon? Toews FO numbers are a bit down from the 59% he was at last year...hopefully he has another 15/17 FO wins like a few games ago...Hossa seems to be coming on strong now....his burst on that breakaway was flat out amazing!

One can not discount the growth of Hockey in the U.S.

When the stars moved to dallas, there were no high school hockey programs. Now there are 87.

When I moved to ORlando in 87, I was the youngest/only high school hockey player, playing mens leagues. Now there are high school leagues, we have home grown talent playing in CHL, and division 1 NCAA hockey. Only a matter of time before we get a draft pick.

While it seems stagnant, Hockey has a huge following nation wide. Its growth has been solid. The depth of people in the South into hockey is a lot more pronounced than what you might think..
- TrueGrit

TG, no one said the growth of hockey has been stagnant, or discounted its growth.

You seem to again want to create an argument where one doesn't exist.

Great read Al....nice to have something to read during the Bears game commercials ....I thought Rosy had his best game last night...and Kruger is looking better at the dot....is Yanic Perreault making that much of a difference this soon? Toews FO numbers are a bit down from the 59% he was at last year...hopefully he has another 15/17 FO wins like a few games ago...Hossa seems to be coming on strong now....his burst on that breakaway was flat out amazing!
- captainserious

I wish the organization would send him to visit Rockford. It seems no one there can win a faceoff with any regularity.

TG, no one said the growth of hockey has been stagnant, or discounted its growth.

You seem to again want to create an argument where one doesn't exist.
- StLBravesFan

For Gods sake, I was presenting some new data. How is that creating an argument?

There is no argument, just pointing out some of the stuff many do not realize exists. Your points were all on line...for God sake, do I have to pat everyone on the back before I add any new content.

Relax

I wish the organization would send him to visit Rockford. It seems no one there can win a faceoff with any regularity.
- EKolb13

I thought he was brought on to be the coach at all levels of the organization.

I thought he was brought on to be the coach at all levels of the organization.
- StLBravesFan

So did I.

Also, check you PM's.

For Gods sake, I was presenting some new data. How is that creating an argument?

There is no argument, just pointing out some of the stuff many do not realize exists. Your points were all on line...for God sake, do I have to pat everyone on the back before I add any new content.

Relax
- TrueGrit

TG, if that was your intention, then I honestly apologize.

I was responding to an implication in your post (which maybe was only in my mind) that someone had written here that hockey was stagnating in the US.

Young Eli discounts the South Side Polish Population.

You tube some "who stole the kishka?"
- TrueGrit

I'm familiar with it. Eli has Polish roots.

Great read Al....nice to have something to read during the Bears game commercials ....I thought Rosy had his best game last night...and Kruger is looking better at the dot....is Yanic Perreault making that much of a difference this soon? Toews FO numbers are a bit down from the 59% he was at last year...hopefully he has another 15/17 FO wins like a few games ago...Hossa seems to be coming on strong now....his burst on that breakaway was flat out amazing!
- captainserious

I didn't hand out stars on defense but he was good...I thought Shaw had a nice game too..

I think there is a fine line with faceoffs ...Something may have clicked and some never get it.

I have said before if Kruger was allowed to take his weak side draws he would have been in the bottom five in the NHL....So something seems to have changed for the better.

Crawford and top guns outshine Stars 5-2.

My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1gB4kQ4

On Twitter @AlCimaglia

Why does Cutler keep throwing off his back foot?

I wish the organization would send him to visit Rockford. It seems no one there can win a faceoff with any regularity.
- EKolb13

He would have been there already if there wasn't so much to fix here...

Crawford and top guns outshine Stars 5-2.

My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1gB4kQ4

On Twitter @AlCimaglia

He would have been there already if there wasn't so much to fix here...
- Al

Yeah, that seems about right.

TG, if that was your intention, then I honestly apologize.

I was responding to an implication in your post (which maybe was only in my mind) that someone had written here that hockey was stagnating in the US.
- StLBravesFan

I was responding to that as well, Just trying to add some anecdotal stuff for those who are not in the Sun Belt Hockey community. We are good. I like where hockey is at....

No arguments with you....yet....maybe later...

Sumo Wrestler Goalie didn't get the call-up



- CBHawks88

I remember back around '06 the Icehogs were playing Flint (I believe) and Rockford's heavyweight Robin Big Snake ended up taking on this 375 lb laughingstock on skates by the name of Brendan Tedstone.

I remember back around '06 the Icehogs were playing Flint (I believe) and Rockford's heavyweight Robin Big Snake ended up taking on this 375 lb laughingstock on skates by the name of Brendan Tedstone.


- EKolb13

Much to my surprise - according to Hockey-reference.com - neither physical specimen played in the show.

New blog up.