NHL Has Caught My Eye

For whatever reason I wasn't a huge hockey fan growing up.  Yea of course I went to the D.A.R.E. sponsored events where they give out t-shirts, everyone gets a free hot dog, and we learn about drug and alcohol abuse (maybe Miguel Cabrera should have been there).  But being in elementary school and watching sports that aren't huge in the U.S., like hockey, I didn't grasp the game and how awesome it actually is.  And to be honest the only time I actually watched was when I was told, yes I had to be told, that the Devils were in the Stanley Cup Finals, pitiful I know. 

The honest truth is that I'm only starting to get into enjoying hockey now, at the age of 21.  This could possibly be because I'm finally realizing that these hockey players are unbelievable athletes, plus their lack of teeth and Mick Foley beards make them even cooler.  They have to be agile on the skates to change direction, powerful to hit a slap shot, and strong to check another man into the boards.  All of this for 60 minutes doesn't sound easy to me.  Another facet of the game that I like is their toughness.  We always hear on ESPN when a hockey player gets hurt that "he's a hockey player he'll return" and he always does.  These guys really are tough men.  They get into fights, sit out for about 2 minutes, then come right back in for revenge on the boards.  And thinking it about it now, you almost never hear about hockey players on the DL or IR unless it is a serious injury like a huge laceration from a stick.  These guys go out and play 82 games hardly missing one of them and perform a very hard game with incredible skill. 

Again, I can't get over how ridiculous these athletes are, honestly they're studs.  They're tough as nails, powerful, agile like ballerinas, and grow great playoffs beards.  The latter of this list has my most respect, playoffs beards are pretty American and that's kinda what I'm all about in case you haven't noticed.  When it comes to a favorite team I'm not too sure who I like the best.  Obviously the Devils will have my heart because they're from Jersey like me and don't play too far from me at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.  But I've watched Flyer games and like most Philly sports fan, they're out of control to say the least.  I enjoy teams that have great fans because I'm the greatest fan in the world, a Yankees fan.  Also, the Rangers are always on MSG and although the Knicks haven't been too brutal to watch, the Rangers are enjoyable as well.  I understand that I can not all 3 of these teams because they're all rivals but being a hockey fan first I can watch all of them regardless.  I hope many of you start to watch hockey because it truly is an awesome sport and if you realize the abilities of these men on the ice, it only gets better.