In a normal season, the NHL would be wrapping up the Stanley Cup Finals and fans would have their excitement shifting towards the awards, entry draft, and free agency.
Well, this isn't a normal year.
Now, we sit wondering if the 2019-20 season will have a chance to be resolved.
If it does, when will the "offseason season" begin? How about the 2020-21 season?
I don't have those answers, but I do have a list of some of the "little things" I miss due to the lack of hockey these few couple months.
Obviously, I miss the games themselves, however, this list is more of the way the complimentary hockey activities and hockey content that I've yearning for these days.
Here they are in no particular order:
1) Normality of a Schedule (Present and Future) – I alluded to this above, but as a creature of habit and routine, I really miss the structure of an NHL calendar.
I would love to know that I can enjoy the NHL awards, and especially the draft and free agency.
My birthday is June 30th and my annual routine is to have friends and family over and share some drinks and LOLs together. Then July 1st, I slowly trudge down to the couch and watch free agency coverage.
This will be the first year in many that I won't be able to carry out that tradition of hungover hockey haven.
2) NHL Highlights – As much as I'm a Blackhawks fan, I'm just a hockey fan in general. I miss turning on the TV and watching hockey highlights.
I used to watch theScore (Canadian television – and now digital – company) on loop when I was younger. I could watch the same loop 10 times and not get bored.
Years later, I ended up working for theScore on two different occasions for a total of 10 years.
3) Hockey Podcasts – Sure, I still listen to some of my regulars like 31 Thoughts and NBC's Blackhawks Talk Podcast, and Laz and Powers from The Atheltic, but it's not quite the same.
I'm a podcast junkie now and love tuning in to real Blackhawks and hockey talk. It's a lot of fluff right now (just like this blog).
4) Writing About Actual Hockey – Great segue into #4 on this list… I miss writing about real hockey things.
I love that many of you have stuck it out and we can still have engaging chats on the message boards, but trust me, I'd really like to get back to writing about games, players streaks, and debating why Matthew Highmore is in the lineup on the 4th line over David Kampf.
5) Lineup Debates – Another great segue! Nothing better than a friendly debate about the Hawks 6th defenceman or 12th forward.
Remember those? Oh wait, we're still doing them, just not as frequently and they don't seem to have the same gusto considering there are no 6th dmen or role forwards on the ice these days.
6) Fantasy Hockey – I've been in the same league for 15 years and I miss the weekly banter with the boys.
On the other hand, I didn't have a very good team this year, so maybe a silver lining there.
7) The Possibility of Attending a Game – I say possibility because now that I have two busy kids, I don't get to as many games as I would like.
However, working in the media industry, I do get my fair share of tickets, so live hockey in-person seems like a mere dream right now.
8) Comradery – I played hockey all my life and more than anything, I loved the comradery of it all.
There was nothing better than getting the guys together and win or lose, the jokes and occasional beer in the dressing room would make my week.
Now, I'm on the shelf right now (I'm more injury-prone than Martin Havlat) but hope to get on the ice again soon(ish). Also, I put together and coach a team for a tournament back home that is always a highlight on the calendar.
Missing this year's tournament due to COVID-19 was unfortunate, but hoping the world returns to normality again one day. Rec hockey games are not a priority but will be welcomed routine for many when they return.
9) Minor Leagues and Prospects – As I've mentioned – and most of you know – I'm a hockey junkie. I love taking in Rockford games, following along with Blackhawks prospects, and checking players in the minors (primarily in the OHL as I have a handful of teams just a short drive away).
10) Little Moments – By this, I'm referring to those little moments with the Blackhawks players; laughing on the bench, the jabs by Shawzie in post-game interviews, and when you can tell the Hawks really enjoy playing hockey with each other.
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You don't have to give me a list of 10, but curious as to what do you miss the most?
Stay healthy and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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