Hockey Newb

[BuckyBuckstar]

So i'm from Australia where there is no ice and certainly no ice hockey. But while watching the Winter olympics I found I really enjoyed the hockey so i'm starting to get into it as best I can. There are 1 or 2 NHL games shown here a week but I have questions so I will post them here and hopefully they will get answered.

I am a basketball fan so I will probably make comparisons to the NBA alot but any answers will be greatly appreciated.

Who are the some of the best players in the League? Who are the LeBrons and Kobes so to speak?

How popular is hockey as a live sport? Do most stadiums get sold out if the team is good?

Are there any teams who have been dominant and have a big bandwagon of supporters like the LA Lakers?

Do players go to college before entering the draft?

My wife and I will be touring U.S.A and Canada while the next season is on are there any must see teams or places?


Thanks for any answers.

[Crowned]

So i'm from Australia where there is no ice and certainly no ice hockey. But while watching the Winter olympics I found I really enjoyed the hockey so i'm starting to get into it as best I can. There are 1 or 2 NHL games shown here a week but I have questions so I will post them here and hopefully they will get answered.

I am a basketball fan so I will probably make comparisons to the NBA alot but any answers will be greatly appreciated.

Who are the some of the best players in the League? Who are the LeBrons and Kobes so to speak?

Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are in a league of their own. Your next crop of guys would include players such as the Sedin twins, Stamkos, Kovalchuk, Backstrom, Kane, Toews, Nash, Gaborik, etc.

How popular is hockey as a live sport? Do most stadiums get sold out if the team is good?

In Canada, most of the games are sold out each night...regardless who is playing. In the U.S, the market varies. Some cities don't see hockey as an intruiging sport, whereas others do. If you go to places like Washington and Pittsburgh, you'll get sold out games. If you go to places like Florida or Tampa...games won't be sold out.

Are there any teams who have been dominant and have a big bandwagon of supporters like the LA Lakers?

Detroit is usually at the top of the standings, and have a ton of bang wagon fans. This year, they've struggled but I'd expect them to pick it up as the playoffs approach us.

Do players go to college before entering the draft?

No. Most players from Canada play in the CHL (i.e- OHL, WHL, QMJHL). It's a league with young players that aspire to play in the NHL. Young kids have a choice whether to play in the CHL or the NCAA (college) when they get to that point in their careers. Most choose the CHL (Canadian Hockey League), where they get more exposure. In the U.S, kids go to play in the NCAA. Players are typically drafted WHILE in college.

My wife and I will be touring U.S.A and Canada while the next season is on are there any must see teams or places?

In Canada- try to catch a Leaf or Canadiens game...even teams like Calgary have a good atmosphere. In the states, I'd go to a Pittsburgh or Washington game (if you want to catch Crosby or Ovechkin).

[BuckyBuckstar]

Thanks for the reply.

Also do any of the NHL guys use twitter and are any of them worth following?

[Mr Swagtastic]

Ovechkin has twitter and I think a few of them do but I am not sure who does. Just make sure that the person's twitter is verified so the person is who they say they are.

Crowned nailed it on the head, though I would add if you come to Toronto and want to learn more about the game of hockey I would say that the Hockey Hall of Fame is a good spot to look at as well. Has great history and is pretty fun as well, haven't been in a while but it was great fun when I was there with the interactive stuff and all that.

[WEFFPIM]

Become a Panthers fan. They're looking for ANYONE.

[trwi7]

I would suggest a Minnesota Wild game in the U.S. They just recently sold out their 400th consecutive game which is the longest current streak in the NHL and the third longest streak in NHL history (Detroit 452 and Colorado 487).

[timd1218]

If you go to a Pens game next year, expect to pay a lot for tickets. Opening the new arena next year so tickets will be difficult to come by.

[Aaron It Out]

Is there no fighting in playoff hockey? I figured this would be the thread to ask this. This is my first year watching hockey. I'm picking up on the sport pretty well and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. But I've noticed that the refs are breaking up scuffles during the playoffs.

[timd1218]

Is there no fighting in playoff hockey? I figured this would be the thread to ask this. This is my first year watching hockey. I'm picking up on the sport pretty well and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. But I've noticed that the refs are breaking up scuffles during the playoffs.

There is fighting. Craig Rivet fought Milan Lucic last night. The Pens Sens series has gotten pretty heated.

Usually, you won't see too much nasty stuff in playoff hockey unless the teams hate each other or a cheap shot has taken place.

[noob_please]

THe reason why fighting is down in the playoffs is because teams might end up with a instigator penalty. Which would make them short handed...

[ghostinthepost]

Fighting is also down because the dudes out there just to fight don't get minutes in the playoffs.

[trwi7]

There were a couple of good fights (not completely drop the gloves and punch for a minute kind of fights) but the gloves did drop in one by Justin Abdelkader today.

[ghostinthepost]

^ He got wrecked by Morris

[Aaron It Out]

Alright thanks guys. This is my first year really watching hockey (I'm loving it) and I as just curious. I didn't want to seem like someone who was watching only for the fights.

[ajaX82]

^ He got wrecked by Morris

Yes he did. It was nice to see some spark and life from someone but man he got tagged quick and hung on for dear life. oh well

[Raps in 4]

Lebron = Alexander Ovechkin
Kobe = Sidney Crosby
(You can flip it if you want)

SA Spurs = Detroit Red Wings - Consistent contender for the last decade, multiple championships, brilliant management.

LA Lakers = Toronto Maple Leafs (kind of). They have a boatload of bandwagon fans, but they suck. They haven't won anything in 42 years, so they're more like the Red Sox or Cubs from the MLB, they've sucked for decades (centuries in the case of the Cubs), yet they still have a bunch of fans.

As for popularity, nobody really cares about it outside of Canada and some northern US cities, which is why I say move as many teams as possible to Canada.

[Dr Positivity]

The Knicks are the Leafs. Leafs are way too dysfunctional and constantly beat down to be the Lakers...

[cb4_89]

Leafs the the Lakers? WTF. Leafs are completely like the knicks.

[sh00n]

LA Lakers = Toronto Maple Leafs (kind of)

I had no idea the Lakers haven't won anything since 67.