What are you talking about? Hockey now is JUST as fucked up as the other sports. The amount of injurys, the drugs. Its all there, its just this sport is not looked at as hard as the other sports. Of course there is going to be a waiting list for season tickets, but im talking about one game. Just one. You CANNOT in toronto, calgery, vancouver, montreal, edmonton just decide that after supper you want to go to watch a hockey game ( unless you have hook ups, or have LOTS of money).
Toronto, and Montreal are always sold out. Its not even comparable. Hockey is not catching on in the states. Its just that simple. I also hate to see people think that the players are actually playing for their hometown. Do you honestly think Begin likes WANTS to live in Philly? Do you think Ryan Smith WANTED to leave edmonton? Its all the agents/owners/palyers/league that are just out there for the money. The players honestly don't give a FUCK about where they play. When you guys watch the Flyers play, and they think they won the game for philly. Think twice because they only one for that extra bonus cheque at the end of the year. Hell look at the teams most of the "all star" players are not local.
Im just fed up of watching a prize that a whole country lusts for year after year after year. Something that represents a culture, and a whole people. Something that represents a whole nation. Where even if you are fans of rival teams, you still come together for that one canadian team to bring it home. Im fed up of the cup going to a town, to a place that does not give a fuck. That has an empty arena at the finals. That would rather watch BASKETBALL. America, does not give a fuck about hockey. Thats the end of that. You could argue till the end of time, but that is the plain truth.
I will be a canadians fan, and play the game for life. But i just can't stand watch our sport just be all be about money. Im watching the OHL, or AHL now.
Last point, look at the players of today. You can't even compare the old players to the new. The old players just don't have the heart. The only player in my opinion who did was Ryan Smith. He did not just play for money, he played for edmonton, and i believe he will be one of the last players with the true heart and soul of hockey.