Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Canuck Teacher]

In response to Natalie�s jab (poorly veiled as a query) to Canucks and their �cult-like� obsession with hockey, and some silly follow-up comments, I�d like to debunk a myth and offer some insight into a sadly misunderstood part of Canadiana: our love for hockey.

In a recent post, some �person� (I suspect it was really a clever dog � Jack Russell maybe- who mastered the keyboard) suggested that Canadians love hockey because Canada is a �one-sport country� that has nothing else to offer spectators in the sporting community (studio laughter).

Let�s look at some facts that suggest buddy is barking up the wrong tree:

-Canada, a country of just 30 million, finished 3rd (24 medals) in the last Winter Olympics (yes we are a cold-climate country), one medal behind the USA (300 million) , and 5 medals behind Germany (80 million). FYI: you only get 2 medals for hockey.

-The current MVP of Major League Baseball is a Canadian: Justin Morneau

-The current MVP of the NBA is a Canadian: Steve Nash (2 time winner)

- Canadian Eric Gagne was handed the National League Cy Young Award in 2004

-Our international basketball and baseball teams often finish in the top 10 of world competition, despite a relative lack of support by government and corporate sectors.

-Our women�s soccer team is ranked in the world top 10 and finished 4th in the Last World Cup. You go girl!

- Our men�s soccer team�.well�soccer is a girls� sport.

-Throughout its modern sports history, Canada has produced athletes that have dominated their popular sport on the international stage for prolonged periods in skiing (the Crazy Canucks) swimming (Victor Davis, Alex Bowman), track and field (Donovan Bailey, Ben -I was the only one who got caught � Johnson), cycling (Steve Bauer), rowing, wrestling, boarding, and on goes the list.

- In curling, it can be argued that Canada has had even more success on the international stage than in hockey.

So, if Canada is a country diverse in sporting excellence, why does hockey reign supreme in the hearts and minds of Canadians? Could it be that hockey is so popular due to the levels of participation by Canadians? Nope. More Canadian kids and youth actually play soccer than hockey.
Oh, maybe its because Canadians "invented" hockey and have a special connection? Nope. Basketball, football, 5-pin bowling, and lacross were all products of Canadian pioneering.

So why don�t sports like soccer (mass Canadian participation) and curling (mass success on the international stage) capture the hearts and minds of Canadians like hockey?

It�s simple Natalie. No other sport combines the level of speed, skill and toughness that hockey does. A particular combination of elements/values that Canadians find thrilling. It's this unique demand on participants that is the key attraction for players, who form a special esprit de� corp born of competing "in the trenches� and for spectators who witness amazing skills, physical prowess, and true, high-speed drama and conflict. You don�t fake it in hockey. You don�t win without total team effort (no premodonas, thank you), and you don�t play nice. Its not for the weak nor the feign of heart or mind. From skilled beauty in motion at an unmatched pace to violent hits that challenge your strength and courage; you need it all to play this sport. And, thank god it�s not for all.

Keep your mass appeal sports that the common man loves and understands. Hockey is for the few.

[ajgeddes]

While, I agree with most of this post, your stats on women's soccer are wrong.

[blackjack]

relax dude

as a kiwi i don't understand canada's thing with hockey,

However i also don't understand america's thing with gridiron, nor england's thing with soccer, nor australia's thing with rugby

every country has a
[/quote]“cult-like” obsession[quote]
with some sport. Natalie was just having some fun. She was just teasing mate nothing to worry about

[Natalie]

Ok, great. I appreciate anyone with passion for anything
and btw, my original post was nothing more than observation.
If anything: appreciation and never a 'jab'

[Canuck Teacher]

[rocklee]

[ajgeddes]

[Canuck Teacher]

Actually, Rocklee (I can't say that name without smiling..have u done any action films?), when you suggest Russia had/has a better team, you are actually supporting my suggestion that Canadian love for hockey doesn't come, for the most part, from success on the ice.

The most loyal - rabid - enthusiastic fans in Canada come from Toronto (Leaf Nation) and support a team that hasn't won a championship in 40 years. It ain't the success that does it for many Canadians.

In the same vein, comparing Canadian hockey to the All Blacks or to Brazilian soccer domination is irrelevant. Canadians love hockey for the unique demands and attributes of the sport; win lose or draw.

Just curious, have you ever played hockey...on ice...in a competitive manner? I ask because I really think it helps to "understand" any game if you play it in a structured way. This is why i suggest a quid-pro-quo with Natalie. A lesson on ridding waves for some instruction on taking out your man.

[jaganath69]

Lets not forget Canada competes in both the Cricket and Rugby World Cups. They have a foot in both camps.

[rocklee]

[rocklee]

[Niagara]

[ajgeddes]

[Niagara]

[ajgeddes]