Confirmed Assumption: Canandians Obsessed with Hockey
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Labels:
Hockey,
Trip to Canada
Yes, They Really Do Love Their Hockey in CanadaBeen traveling for a few days North of the Border, so apologies for the lack of posts. To make up for it, we'll fire away on a few shorter, completely random posts. This would the first of those.
You know how they always talk about how crazy Canadians are about hockey? We hadn't stepped in the country in a decade, but, after nary a day in Toronto, we're now convinced of all the stereotypical puck-crazed generalizations. Two reasons.
First, everywhere we went on Wednesday night, the televisions - in bars, airports, elevators - all looped the same story. They had interviews with coaches, players and expert commentators. The segments were not short puff pieces, they seemed to go on for 20 minutes. The occasion? Opening night of hockey training camp.
No joke or exaggeration. The Senators opened up training camp, and you would've thought it was the night before the Super Bowl. In the States, we didn't have this much hype when the Pope came to New York or Brett Favre donned a Jets jersey. Absolutely mind-blowing. Eyes glued to the screen. Absolutely compelling to watch. Comparing this event to the first days from the Cactus or Grapefruit Leagues? Not even close. Just so interesting to watch.
Second reason? Going through security at the airport. They've got one of those signs showing what you're not allowed to carry in checked baggage and all. So, what's one of the first things on the list? "Sports equipment." The photo? Not golf clubs, a tennis racquet or a baseball bat. You guessed it. Hockey stick. Again, it's not all that weird or unexpected when you sit back and think about it. But it's a cultural difference that you always hear about, but to see it first-hand is a trip.
How's that for random? Until the next out-of-left-field post...
You know how they always talk about how crazy Canadians are about hockey? We hadn't stepped in the country in a decade, but, after nary a day in Toronto, we're now convinced of all the stereotypical puck-crazed generalizations. Two reasons.
First, everywhere we went on Wednesday night, the televisions - in bars, airports, elevators - all looped the same story. They had interviews with coaches, players and expert commentators. The segments were not short puff pieces, they seemed to go on for 20 minutes. The occasion? Opening night of hockey training camp.
No joke or exaggeration. The Senators opened up training camp, and you would've thought it was the night before the Super Bowl. In the States, we didn't have this much hype when the Pope came to New York or Brett Favre donned a Jets jersey. Absolutely mind-blowing. Eyes glued to the screen. Absolutely compelling to watch. Comparing this event to the first days from the Cactus or Grapefruit Leagues? Not even close. Just so interesting to watch.
Second reason? Going through security at the airport. They've got one of those signs showing what you're not allowed to carry in checked baggage and all. So, what's one of the first things on the list? "Sports equipment." The photo? Not golf clubs, a tennis racquet or a baseball bat. You guessed it. Hockey stick. Again, it's not all that weird or unexpected when you sit back and think about it. But it's a cultural difference that you always hear about, but to see it first-hand is a trip.
How's that for random? Until the next out-of-left-field post...
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