I haven't attended a pro ice hockey game in years; ticket prices for the NY Rangers are astronomical, and the last time I made it to one of their games, was put-off by the 'extravaganza' production and light show (this is supposed to be a hockey game, not a figure skating competition.)

The last game I attended was in Arizona for some now-defunct minor league team. It was great and hockey as it should be.

Ted, have you ever given thought to creating a separate blog about ice hockey? (I've not searched to see if any exist.)

Whatever happened to the Chesapeake Icebreakers? Don't they play at the Show Place arena in Upper Marlboro?

There's minor leauge hockey in Virgina...off the top of my head:

Richmond RiverDogs(http://www.riverdogshockey.com/) (coached by Rod Langway last year, although they didn't renew his contract after their fast playoff exit)

Norfolk (formerly Hampton Roads) Admirals (http://www.norfolkadmirals.com/) (don't know if they still are, but they were owned in part by Craig Laughlin)

Roanoke Express
(http://www.roanokeexpress.com/)

I think the NHL should bring back Peter Puck.

The Icebreakers folded (actually, I think the team moved) after the 1998-99 season. We used to go sometimes; it was fun and affordable, if not spectacular hockey. (OTOH, we just sat through a season of unspectacular hockey at twice the price.)

Yeah, the ECHL 'breakers were sold (the owner lost a cool million the two seasons he owned 'em )and they became the ECHL Jacksonville Bandits. I'm 99% sure the Bandits have folded/been sold/don't exist anymore.

I was a little vague--the owner of the Icebreakers lost a cool million both seasons he owned 'em. Two mill total.

We used to watch the Skipjacks in Baltimore when visiting my in-laws. Fun fun fun.

Cindy, there are some excellent blogs out there with a strong emphasis on hockey. Over on the right column, almost all the way to the bottom are listed a group of sports blogs. The last three in particular are daily reads for me. Hockey Pundits, Off Wing Opinion, and I just finally linked Sharkspage. I highly recommend them if you're a hockey fan.

Hmm...

Well, it is watered down hockey (and I'm not an "original six" fan.

What frustrates long-time hockey fans is not entirely the presence of teams like Nashville, Florida, Tampa Bay, et al.

But the reality that one-third of current NHL players would not have been in the league in, say, 1990, has had a damaging effect on the quality of the game overall. Especially regular season games.

Couple that with the price increases and you end up being asked to pay $50 to see Nashville vs. Atlanta when, in reality, at least 50% of the players in the game would have been in the AHL 10 years ago. And should probably be there now, which begets trap defenses, clutching, grabbing etc.

I used to go to hockey games all of the time -- 30 a year. And while the Whalers were never so good, the quality of the game itself was a lot better -- end-to-end action, etc.

But the powers that be decided the NHL had to be a coast-to-coast game and larded up the southeast with teams that, by and large, don't have anywhere near the support of teams like Detroit, Philadelphia, etc.

As for the knowledge factor, I'd expect a team like Nashville to include that in their own broadcasts. When I lived in Florida, the Panthers did that, and also offered clinics on rules of the game where you could meet a player, go on the ice, and get game tickets or whatever.

The national broadcasts should not regularly be clogged up with junk like explanations of icing, because if you want a primer on the rules of hockey, the Internet is right there. If you don't, or just want to sit and wait until its explained on the broadcast, then I would question the passion of your fandom. No offense intended, but I think typically when you want to learn about something you check it out.

As for the rivalries, well, no offense, but they take time to develop. The biggest gripe I've heard about all of the expansion was it took away games people wanted (say, the Blackhawks or Red Wings for Blues fans), and replaced them with a lesser game at a higher price (enter, say, the Columbus Blue Jackets).

Time will cure that, but it is tough to preach patience when it is $75 to get in the building.

Scott, probably one half of today's players wouldn't be in the NHL because the European players would've taken an even bigger percentage on team rosters than they do now. Players like Lindros and Messier would've been forced to retire years ago instead of having reasonably productive seasons.

Interest in hockey has grown, which means more kids play all across the country, which means there are more players growing up and going to college or the WHA and good enough to play the pro game. I'd guess that the same has happened in Europe, as kids now dream of playing in the NHL whereas their peak ambition used to be to play on their National team, which was an even more limited opportunity.

To blame dilution of talent for the trap game and drop in scoring just doesn't stand up. The rules are the same as they were back then, so what's more likely: a drop in quality or the rules not keeping up with the current environment?

Goalies fill the net now, they're bigger and faster, plus the equipment has become overgrown. Don't like the clutching and grabbing? Call the freaking penalties that are already in the rulebook. Charra of Ottawa is 6'9"!!!! Players like St. Louis are freaks now, whereas in days past the diminuative player was more the norm. And even St. Louis is amazingly strong in comparison to the old-timers.

I also disagree with your attitude about teaching the games on television. I think this is what Mark was originally talking about. Hockey is fighting for every viewer on an already overcrowded sports schedule, and must actively recruit fans. And you do that by teaching the rules as you go along. By taking your advice, someone channel-surfing and stopping for a moment won't understand what's going on, will reach for the remote, and won't bother going back. Nor will they care to research the game on their own. A potential fan was just lost because the NHL didn't try hard enough.

I agree with you about the prices being way too high and rivalries taking time to develop. On the other hand, other pro leagues have realigned or expanded and survived. Give it time.

Great points. Thanks for commenting!

Wow,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I may have mislead ya'll into thinking I didn't know the rules (what rules, the umpires discression?) I know the basics because Craig Leipold and company has done a fabulous job educating me. The Predator Club has what's called hockey 101 which includes an in house arena radio broadcast for complete newbies that explain not only the rules but the stratagy of the game during the game. My opion is that the Networks could pick up and use the SAP channel for a simular "teaching channel" durring the game. There is a hockey 101 station on the ground floor where patrons can learn the basics through a video presentation and the jumbotron has graphics that define the "latest" fowl.

I agree with Ted that the present rules aren't inforced with rigger. The NHL has a war room that monitors every game in progress, so that there are a total of five "judges" to call penalties; two referees, two linesmen, a video referee. However the Linesmen can't call the grabbing, roughing, fighting, or serious penalites that slow the game down.

The Referees of the NHL are some of the most biased officals of any professional sport. They have a great deal of discression and latitude in what they consider a penality. Barry Trotz, Head Coach of the Predators, has on many occasions indicated that he wasn't pleased with the officating of a game. The original six get peferential treatment from the Referees; Fine, I'll get over it. However, it makes them, the original six's players, a target for every expansion team; target of hate.

I know of people who go to hockey games to watch the fights more than to watch the wingers get behind the defense for a break away two on one with the goalie. I go to watch for that, or the fat rebounds in the slot that get chipped in; I never like it's when Vokoun though. Hockey is brutally poetic when the grabbing, and cheap shots are controlled though just and even calls by the officials. You want to see better played hockey, then get the officiating to match.

Ticket prices are basic supply and demand. The Laker and Nicks' fans all suffer from this afflection so it's not limited to the NHL. Nashville is in a small hockey market but a huge sports market; the Titans can attest to that. I personally invite you to come watch a game here. Ten bucks gets you in the door; On the glass tickets are $85 (two rows back it drops to $69). I've sat in the upper deck and down on the floor and have never been disappointed with by view.

I just want to point out one last thing. Less than eight percent of players make the All-star team; only 11 western confrence teams were represented. Nashville sent two players (Timonen and Vokoun) this past year. Dan Hamhuis was named to the youngstars roster too. I'm proud of these guys and look forward to watching them play next year.