ICE HOCKEY

Introduction:

Ice hockey is mostly referred to as only hockey in the United States of America and Canada. It is a team sport that is played on ice. It is a physical and speedy sport. The popularity of the ice hockey game is more in areas that have a cold climate and have an ice cover that is reliable. But the development of the indoor ice rinks, that are artificially created, has developed the game in other areas as well. The sport of ice hockey is backed by the national hockey league at the higher levels. The National Women’s Hockey league represents the women’s version of the game. The ice hockey game is the official game of the national winter sport of Canada. The ice hockey sport is also very popular in Finland. Six of the total NHL franchises have their base in Canada. Thirty percent players of the National Hockey League are non North American. The players from Canada outnumber the players from the United States of America. The game is considered around the year as pastime in the major areas that are host to the NHL events.

Popularity of the Sport:

In the United States of America, the popularity of the ice hockey sport is concentrated in areas of the Midwest, Alaska and the Northeast. It also commands popularity in Detroit, buffalo, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Philadelphia, Tampa, San Jose, Denver, Columbus and New York City. The popularity of ice hockey sometimes exceeds the popularity of basketball among the winter fans.