Hockey Cards - Collecting the Game We Love

Hockey has been around for what seems like forever. The league was organized in 1917 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada after the suspension of operations of its predecessor organization, the National Hockey Association (NHA), which had been founded in 1909. It started with four teams and, through a series of expansions, contractions, and relocations, the league is now composed of 30 teams active franchises. As Canadians, we're proud to say that hockey is our game, it originated in Canada and has a rich history and people feel a special passion for it. If you are Canadian chances are you have a favorite team, and if you do, chances are that team is one of the remaining six teams residing in Canada. Your team is a team that is cheered for through the good times and the bad. As hockey fans, we take pride in our teams and many of us enjoy the hobby of hockey memorabilia collecting. One prominent collecting item is the hockey card. The hard core hockey fans who enjoy hockey card collecting has seen many changes in the industry from the early days of Parkie collecting, to present times which features the hockey hobby box.

In today's hockey card market, we see several different brands featuring a huge range of different types of cards. If you look at the market from the hockey hobby box perspective and not by the pack, we see product prices which range from twenty dollars all the way to eight and nine hundred dollars. We see the basic principles of supply and demand at play in today's market. Cheaper products seem to have a much larger production run, while expensive products have limited production. As a diehard collector, the thrill of getting a rare card out of a box is something that can't be explained through words. Every day we see collectors posting online in blogs and forums about the special rare card that they pulled from a hockey box. Through rare cards we achieve great value in what we attained. Camp and monetary values can be found in hockey cards.

You may ask why card companies bother to produce the low end products which feature little to no value to the seasoned collector. The key word there is seasoned. We all remember being children and collecting those cheap hockey cards for the thrill of the hobby. This is still alive in children in today's market. Companies realize how much hockey cards can mean to a child. This is why we see hockey card packs for sale still at our local corner store. Today's market is set up so that the seasoned collector can enjoy buying limited, expensive products and enjoy the rare and special cards attained. Fortunately, the young can still enjoy pulling that special card from affordable attainable packs. Young, old, rich, and poor can all join in on the thrill of collecting the cards from our favorite teams in the NHL.

It seems that since hockey had been reborn in the 2005 season, we've seen an uptick in hockey card interest. Remember, the 2004 season never happened. There was no hockey for over a year. The new generated interest can be attributed in part to the new young superstars in the league, as well as the fact that we as Canadians really missed the game that we love. For whatever reasons we have, we love the game of hockey and our hockey cards. The hockey hobby box lives on and just keeps getting better.

We are a leading provider of hockey cards and hockey hobby boxes. Come bust your favorite box today! Please visit our Site!

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Canada Card World

The History of the Stanley Cup

The coveted cup. The Stanley Cup is the prize that NHL hockey teams strive to receive at the end of a hockey season.

The history of the Stanley Cup, the most coveted award sought after by the NHL hockey teams dates back to 1892. Lord Stanley, the then Governor General of Canada proclaimed that he thought that a challenge cup should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion.

At that time, there was no cup. Subsequently, Lord Stanley purchased a silver cup that was 7 ½ inches high by 11 ½ inches wide for the price of approximately $50.00. Lord Stanley appointed two trustees of the cup, Philip D. Ross and Sheriff John Sweetland from Ottawa and also set forth conditions to administer the yearly competition.

The champions had to return to cup to the trustees in order that it be handed over to another team which may win it. Each champion team was to have their hockey team name and year engraved on a silver ring fitted on the cup. The cup was never to be the property of a team but to remain a challenge competition.

If the existing trustees resigned this post, new trustees would be named in their place. Unfortunately, Lord Stanley never saw a hockey playoff game nor did he present his cup to a winning team. Lord Stanley had elected to return to his home in England. However, the pursuit of winning the Stanley Cup has flourished over the years and has become a world class sporting competition.

Catherine Kenyeres is a successful author and publisher for [http://www.best-4u-tickets.com].  Catherine has written numerous articles for the sports enthusiast.

Victory of Pakistan Hockey in 1994 Sydney World Cup

One of the most memorable wins for Pakistan in Hockey is the World Cup win in 1994 that brought to the forefront a hero - Shahbaz Ahmad. He went on to become one of the best forwards in the history of Pakistan Hockey. After having joined the national hockey team in 1986, he masterminded a brilliant win - the 1994 world cup. Shahbaz Ahmad was nicknamed "the man with the electric heels" and led Pakistan from the front in the 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 Champions Trophy tournaments; 1988 Seoul Olympics; 1989 Asia Cup in New Delhi; 1990 World Hockey Cup in Lahore; 1990 BMW Trophy Amsterdam; 1990 Beijing Asiad and the most memorable of them all - the 1994 World Cup Hockey in Sydney.

The Hockey World Championships is considered to be an international field hockey competition just like FIFA soccer world cup where teams from across the world participate to win the coveted cup. It is organized once every 4 years by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The first world cup was started in 1971. There are two versions of the Hockey world cup - the men's and the women's. So far five countries have dominated the Hockey world cup but the most successful team is Pakistan who has won it four times. The Netherlands has won the Hockey world cup three times, Germany two times while both India and Australia have won it once. The 2010 Hockey world cup is going to be held in India.

In fact, the entire concept of the Hockey World Cup was conceived by Air Marshal Nur Khan of Pakistan. The idea was proposed to FIH under the name of Patrick Rowley who was the first editor of the World Hockey magazine. The idea got the approval on 26th October, 1969 and was adopted by the then FIH Council in a meeting that was held in Brussels on 12th April, 1970. The FIH came to the conclusion that the inaugural or first hockey World Cup should be held in Pakistan in October 1971. However, due to political strife and several other issues, the venue of the World Cup was moved from Pakistan to the Real Club de Polo grounds in Barcelona, Spain.

The 1971 Hockey world cup in Spain was won by Pakistan who defeated Spain 1-0 in the finals. In the 1994 World Cup in Sydney Australia, Pakistan was up against a strong opponent - The Netherlands. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and went into extra time and then into penalties. Pakistan then went on to win the final on penalties and the score line read 4-3. This was the 4th world cup for Pakistan and Shahbaz Ahmad led them to victory in style. This further reinforced Pakistan as one of the top hockey playing countries of the world. Shahbaz Ahmad also won another laurel - the player of the tournament.

As the 2010 Hockey world cup date draws close, we will have to wait and watch out for the "men in green!"

For further information, please visit Pakistan Hockey Team [http://www.pakistan-hockey.com/]

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Abdul Hayi Mansoor

SEO Specialist and Article Marketer

Hockey News - Hockey Trivia About the Bruins Loss to the Flyers

So, on "random Stanley Cup hockey trivia and fact Saturday", it's kind of hard not to report on the significance of the Boston Bruins' unbelievable collapse against the Philadelphia Flyers, and look in to just how rare their losing the series after being up 3-0 really truly was...

The Boston Bruins have joined what is now a hat trick of teams that have "accomplished" this failure. The other two NHL teams in history to have lost their playoff series after gaining a 3-0 lead include the Detroit Red Wings - the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings back in 1942 - and the Pittsburgh Penguins - who fell in classic fashion to the upstart New York Islanders all the way back in 1975.

"History Will be Made" parodies (UPDATE: they've already started) are likely to follow in the coming days, with lines like "What if the Bruins knew how to score?" and "What if Rask had an offense in front of him?" But those will be short-lived hype. More eternally, the 2009-2010 Bruins will now be a footnote to any story covering an NHL series in which one team goes up 3-0. Their play will be studied over and over again for points on "what not to do" on the rink. And in all likelihood, this Bruins team will now serve as a benchmark on what type of roster you don't want when heading in to the playoffs: in their four losses, the team lacked leadership, goal scoring, and all-around toughness. They had the speed and they had the skill, but without any one of those three additional elements, they lacked the necessary goods to move forward in an NHL Stanley Cup playoff series.

A Hockey Chump stick tap to the Bruins' fans who stuck around and saw their team off the ice last night during what has to be probably the most painful moment in the franchise's history. That's true heart and dedication, which is a lot more than what we saw from the Bruins during the second and third periods.

Hockey Chump: http://www.hockeychump.blogspot.com

Wayne Gretzky Hockey Jerseys Are Available From All His Former Teams

Wayne Gretzky went from a talented kid that took his first strides on the rink his dad made for him in the backyard, to one of the greatest athletes in the history of professional sports. Notice that I said any sport, not only one of the greatest in hockey.

Since he was quite small as a kid and never really grow enough to look like a hockey player, Wayne relied on his smartness. He became a decent skater, but what separated him from the crowd was his ability to look one step ahead of everyone else. It didn't even help that many opponents put two guys on him as shadows.

Wayne was just too smart for them. If someone rimmed the puck along the board, Wayne was in the other corner to pick up the puck before anyone else even had understood that the puck was going there.

During his career he reached more highs than any other player in the history of the National Hockey League and even today fans can celebrate Wayne Gretzky's achievements with a wide variety of merchandise. You can find everything from the early Edmonton Oilers home and road jerseys to framed photographs of the Great One.

Wayne Gretzky began producing point from the day he first set his foot on a NHL ice and he has given hockey fans from around the world so much to cheer about over the years.

But how does a player become this great?

My answer to that question isn't that he was more skilled that others (even though he was). If I am to point out one single attribute that made him stand out from the crowd, I would say he reached such success because he was more competitive than the rest of the guys.

You can take any sport, not only ice hockey. The players that become legends are always the ones that are more competitive than the rest.

Wayne Gretzky was one of these guys, he just hated to lose and put a lot of pressure upon him in order accomplish great things out on the ice. And accomplished he did. Big time.

As people saw that he could deliver on a consistent basis and win games and rings to his club, his popularity grew proportionally and it's still unmatched in the NHL.

Today the sheer amount of Wayne Gretzky merchandise available is correlated to this popularity. Fans who want to look like the famous hockey player can find signed jerseys, sticks and photos as well as other Wayne Gretzky merchandise.

While buying any of his original jerseys is expensive, fans can always buy a nice replica jersey with his name on the back. And I think most people agree that having a replica Gretzky hockey jersey is better than not having a Gretzky jersey at all.

Johnny writes about search engine optimization as well as the NHL and ice hockey equipment.

Disciplined Savagery On Ice, In The Name Of The Nation - NHL Hockey

History has sufficient evidence of good evolving out of evil. In more moderate terms, great things are achieved out of strife and struggle. The resultant is usually way beyond expectations. NHL or the National Hockey League is one such example. It is defined as a sports organization made up of professional ice hockey teams in North America.

With roots in the strife that enveloped NHA or the Canadian National Hockey Association and the other team owners, the National Hockey League was born in 1917. The founding teams were the Wanderers, Senators, Canadians, and the Toronto Arenas, now known as the Maple Leafs. In spite of the struggle that the league faced in the first decade of its existence to stay in business, the teams ripped apart other teams on the ice, mercilessly. Only once in 1925, another league got the chance to win the Stanley Cup. At other times, it was the NHL all the way.

Due to its Canadian origin, Canadians have historically formed the majority of players in the NHL. However, with the steady expansion of the NHL hockey games, the number of American and other European players in the NHL has steadily risen. This led to the improvement in quality of the NHL Hockey League.

Today, with expertise from America, Canada and Europe, the NHL is the world's premier ice hockey league in the professional arena. It has also been recognized as one of the major professional sports leagues in North America. When NHL began, it had only five teams. With time, NHL witnessed expansions, fall-outs and relocations and is finally composed of 30 teams, 24 of them are American and 6 Canadian. Nevertheless, many of the league's players on the 2005-06 rosters are Canada born.

The Depression in the 1930's and the World War II saw a drastic fall in the number of teams in the NHL league. By 1942, the number of teams reduced to six. They were - Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers. These teams are still referred to as the Original Six. For the next 25 years, these were the only teams in the NHL.

The National Hockey League is divided into two distinct seasons. The Regular season begins on the first Wednesday of October and continues through the beginning of April. The Playoffs season begins from April and continues till June. The latter is an elimination tournament where two teams pour heat on ice to win the best-of-seven series. The final team becomes the owner of the Stanley Cup.

Swati Banerjee is the owner of Writing Ink, a web content management firm based out of India. Please take a minute to visit http://www.writing-ink.com to experience how the bright young minds here make magic with words!

Why Getting a Custom Made NHL Hockey Jersey is a Good Idea

The NHL hockey jersey, apart from being witness to the colorful unfolding of our favorite hockey league's history, is also one of the most popular pieces of sports merchandise being sold today. Almost every sporting and sport memorabilia and collectibles store worth its salt carries a variety of NHL memorabilia, especially NHL hockey jerseys. However, at times it happens that in spite of the huge glut of NHL hockey jerseys in the market, you might not be able to find the exact jersey that you are looking for.

This might be because you are in search for an antique jersey that is no longer very popular amongst NHL fans today. Another reason could be that you do not like the detailing on the jerseys being sold, because one or more small, yet crucial details are missing from the jerseys. One more reason why buying NHL hockey jerseys might become a problem could be because of the prohibitively high prices that some jerseys come with, especially if they carry brand names and logos of any major sporting brand in the world.

One great idea that comes to everyone's rescue when it comes to situations like those presented above is that of getting custom made NHL hockey jerseys. All the problems mentioned above can easily solve themselves when you start getting your jerseys custom made. There are a large number of professional jersey makers, who can create the perfect NHL jersey for you, complete with all the large and small details and that too for a lesser price than what you would have to pay for a model with a brand icon and lesser details.

Going to a custom jersey maker is also a good idea if you have given up on finding the jersey you are looking for because of its unavailability in all kinds of stores. A good custom jersey maker will be able to create a jersey for you even if it is what your favorite team was wearing thirty years before or if it belongs to a team that is not playing league hockey anymore. On top of this, most jersey makers should be able to put in all the little details that you want on your favorite jersey.

Another good thing that a custom jersey maker might be able to do is put your name on your NHL jersey, so that you actually feel like you are a part of your favorite hockey team when you wear it. So if you are really serious about your NHL hockey jerseys, then locating a good jersey maker who can create all kinds of NHL hockey jerseys is a good idea. In case you can't find one in your town or city, then do not despair, because there are a number of good online jersey making companies that let you customize and design your jersey on their web pages and later on make and ship that jersey to you. Wearing a jersey that you have designed yourself will increase the pleasure that you get from sporting your favorite team's colors, so why not go and locate a good jersey maker asap?

Article written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of http://www.skyfireproducts.com. Please check out these links NHL Hockey Shop [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NHL-Hockey/Categories] & Sports Page [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-template/sportsindex/Page].

Fantasy Hockey Draft Preperation - How to Compose a Winning Draft List

The single biggest factor in determining your chance of winning it all comes down to the time and effort you put into preparing a draft list. If you do it right, you should have very few decisions to make during the draft. You should be able to hand your draft list over to a trained monkey, and your roster will come out shining.

Ground Rules

There are a few ground rules to understand before getting into the strategy of preparing a draft list.

1. Study the Point System - Every league is different. If you're in 3 different leagues, with three different point systems, you should have 3 different draft lists. Landshark Hockey has fine-tuned a point system to perfection, but the world hasn't caught up to it yet. So make sure and craft your list according to your league's points.

2. Don't Wing It - Come prepared with a full list at every position. Do the math, chump. If your league drafts 5 defensemen and you have ten teams, you had better prepare a list with at least 50 defensemen on it. Some guys come prepared with their top 10 at each position and they're left in the cold after 3 rounds. Don't be that guy. That guy is dumb.

3. Read your History - History did not begin last season. Don't base your draft list on last year's stats alone. The top 50 scorers vary considerably from season to season. Guys get injured, then come back strong. Guys have a bad year, then storm back again (Marleau). Go back at least 3 seasons in your considerations.

Tier Strategy

The first key to dominating draft day is to divide your draft list into tiers by position. Start with goaltending. As you make your list of your top 30 goalies, draw lines between the tiers as the talent level drops a notch. For example...

For the most part, when it's time to draft a specific position, your choice is easy. Take the next guy on your list. The only decision needs to be which position to pull from. Having your list broken down into tiers simplifies your decision. Say you're in the fourth round, and you already have 1 goalie, 1 forward, and 1 defenseman. All the goalies in your top 2 tiers have been taken. All the forwards in your top 2 tiers are gone, too. But Mike Green is still sitting out there and he's a tier 1 D. You take the player from the highest tier. Over the course of the draft, you need balance, but choosing the best player from the highest tier available is money.

Summer Reading Assignments

Before you start putting any names on paper, do some background research. Read a magazine or two and pay special attention to the following:

1. Injuries / Surgeries - off-season surgeries typically lead to slow starts or down-right lousy seasons. (see Brind'amour in '08, watch for Lecavalier in '09). Play the percentages and avoid this guys.

2. Hold outs - It doesn't happen as often as it used to, but if a player is holding out, knock him down at least 3 tiers in your list.

3. Relocation - Take a look at players in new places and try to gauge whether it's a good move or a bad move for that player's performance. For example, Petr Sykora wakes up and finds himself playing in Pittsburgh beside Malkin = good thing. Ryan Malone leaves the comfort of Malkin's side and lands in the worst run franchise in the league = bad thing.

4. Comebacks - Opposite of #1. When you're looking at stats, make a special note of players who came back or who were injured the previous season and only played a few games. No doubt, these guys will be forgotten by half the managers in your league. Watch for Zubov and Gonchar in '09. Zubov will be the forgotten man.

Preparing the List

It's finally time to assemble the list. We highly recommend using the Draft Guru tools found at Landshark Hockey. However, if you're old-school and prefer to cuddle up on the couch with a pencil and paper, here's the general approach:

1. First Draft - Obviously, you want a seperate list for each position. Start with goaltending. Write up your list, marking down tiers, as described above.

2. Expert Input - Once your list is compiled, take a look at other "expert" opinions. Look for players you may have over or under rated and adjust your list accordingly. Don't put complete faith in others' opinions. Trust your gut. A couple years back I was looking at a magazine that had Michael Handzus listed in the top 10. I put it back on the shelf without reading any further. Then again, if you typically finish last in your league, maybe you shouldn't trust your gut. Trust me instead.

3. Sleeper Notes - This part takes some insight into your competition. Go through your list and try to determine how high the other GMs will rank the player. Look for players on your list that you think will slide and mark them. When it comes down to that player at draft time, you may be willing to wait another round if you think others will pass on him.

To get more free fantasy hockey tips and tools, visit http://www.landsharkhockey.net.  Landshark Hockey offers a free Draft Guide and draft ranking tool to help generate your draft sheet.

Easton Hockey Sticks

Easton hockey sticks have a well deserved reputation as being some of the best and most popular around. The company has continued to lead the hockey world in innovation across a variety of areas, and makes products that all players can benefit from, regardless of skill or experience level. Most importantly, Easton hockey sticks were the first to deliver composite hockey sticks, the one piece beasts that now dominate in all levels of the sport.

Take a look at some information to help you get started understanding the history of these products as well as what's available today. You'll see that there are plenty of great reasons why Easton hockey sticks continue to be leaders in the industry, and the go-to choice for many individuals all across the globe.

Composite Hockey Sticks

It's hard to imagine, but it's only been a decade since the composite hockey sticks were first introduced. In the year 2000, Easton hockey sticks added the Synergy to their lineup, and it immediately started to make a huge impact. It was the lightest production stick in the world and had a variety of patents based upon the exact construction and style of the stick.

Then rookie Devils player Scott Gomez became the first NHL hockey player to use it, he was immediately won over.In an interview he said:

"It gives a better release, a harder shot, better everything, what else can you ask for?"

Other players also began to quickly adapt, and within a short few years, composite hockey sticks went from a new upstart trend to the vast majority of what was used by the best players in the world.

Fast forward to 2010, and composite hockey sticks are essentially the only option that the best players turn to, even including old holdouts that were sticking with their wooden sticks. All of the major brands for hockey gear make their own versions of composite hockey sticks, including of course Easton, as well as CCM, Bauer, Reebok, Warrior and so on down the line.

So what makes composite hockey sticks so popular and so highly rated? The bottom line is that they improve on the basic quality of a stick to improve all of the results. The sticks are lighter and stronger thanks to the materials used, ranging from Carbon Fiber to Kevlar and Composites of various other materials. You can shoot harder shots, shoot with more accuracy from longer distances and you can get off your shots quicker while handling the puck and making passes with more precision.

It all started 10 years ago with the Synergy, and Easton hockey sticks have continued to build upon that great foundation of success. Over the years, materials have been changed and improved, specific adjustments to style and construction have been made and so forth, but the Synergy legacy and brand name stays alive. All of the composite hockey sticks from Easton available today are either in the Synergy or Stealth family.

One of the most popular and most advanced of them all is the S19, which is in the Stealth lineup. It features a Kevlar wrapped compression molded shaft, special shape and design of the blade, newly engineered materials and more. It's even available in special Olympic limited editions, for Canada, the USA and Finland. Other current composite hockey sticks in the Stealth lineup include the S13, S7 and S3.

In the Synergy lineup of Easton hockey sticks you'll find lots of different options across many different price ranges. The Synergy SE1 has 100% composite blade construction, a Pro Radius shaft design and 4x4 Carbon reinforcement glass laminate shaft construction, all at an accessible price. Meanwhile the SE16 takes things up a few more notches with Focus Weight Technology, Kevlar wrapped shaft, the Micro-Bladder process and Micro-Rib structure of the blade for improved flex, accuracy, control and feel and much more.

The Synergy ST stands for "Super Tough", and it's about "pure power". It uses the Synergy shaft with a resin transfer molded blade and Shox technology to help provide the hardest shots and the most power that you can find anywhere. It features a low kick point for reflexive load and release, the 3-Rib blade design for improved performance and durability and much more.

From there you'll find many other options as well, each of which serves a unique purpose. For example the SE6 Junior and Senior stick features the low kick point Synergy construction and a forgiving blade that makes for pristine puck handling and passing. You'll also find in the Synergy lineup the SE2, as well as the SE6 Canada Olympic LE. The SE16 mentioned above is available both in Youth, Junior and Senior

Of course, the Easton hockey sticks lineup does include other options besides the composite hockey sticks. They make a handful of different wooden sticks, all of which feature precision designs as well. For example, the Synergy ABS wood stick is made from Baltic birch plywood, and has an ABS/Fiber paddle. Other options include the SY50, SY70 and SY90. The SY90 for instance includes a Pro radius shaft design, carbon laminate shaft construction and Carbon/Kevlar reinforced sock wave, making it durable and offering great control for a wood stick.

Easton hockey sticks are some of the most respected out there right now, and they have led the pack in terms of innovation and quality over the years. It's been just a decade since the introduction of the first composite hockey sticks, but now they are the golden standard, used by nearly everyone and continued to be improved upon. With great control and precision, light weights and high speeds, composite hockey sticks will continue to get better, and you can bank on Easton being one of the premier companies to help that process along in the future.

Ken Abbott has been in the specialist retail sports equipment business for 18 years, running three retail shops and for the last ten years, a thriving online mail order business. More recently he is now focusing his energies on advising and helping less experienced marketeers and also combining with like minded people to develop internet marketing strategies and ideas. You can visit his website at: http://www.easton-hockey-sticks.com

The Creation And Growth Of Air Hockey

There are many fun table games that the whole family can enjoy either at home or out and about. One game that is enjoyed by many families is air hockey. Although it is a very simple game, it can become very competitive and everyone will get involved. If you become good enough there is a league and even world championships to compete in as it has become that popular. Although the playing tournaments are larger than average tables you can still practice quite happily on a normal table.

The history of the air hockey table is argued as many believe that it was invented by a billiard's company although it was in fact invented back in 1969. A group of Brunswick engineers began to invent a very similar game to the air hockey we know today. Air hockey was an immediate success and in the 1970's the first tournament was played. Although the design of the table has not really changed over the years there have been attempts to change the material used for the paddles and puck. The use of different materials didn't really work and the plastic versions are still the most popular.

This game table is made up of a large smooth playing table which has openings at both ends to score. The idea of the game is to get the puck into the goal using the paddle; the table has a cushion of air which is what makes the puck glide faster. There are some basic rules which you have to follow and often you play the best of seven goals. With something so simple it is amazing that people find it fascinating and love to play the game. All ages love to have a go at air hockey and many people will spend a great deal of time perfecting their game.

Many people have air hockey tables in their houses and you can purchase smaller table top versions for this purpose. If you have the room then a full size one is great but manufacturers appreciate that not everyone has that much space. They are ideal to go with your other items in the games area and even very small children can play. It is defiantly a game that the whole family can be involved with and enjoy. What table you decide to purchase is your decision and you can find some very expensive models with electronic scoreboards and lights. These are not necessary for you to enjoy the game and a more affordable version is just as good.

You can easily purchase your hockey table either from a store or online and you will need to ensure it is the right size table for your space. Although they can fit in many spaces and you only need to allow room at both ends for play. Once your air hockey is in your home you will spend many hours as a whole family playing with it and having fun. The simplest things in life will often cause the most entertainment and this game is no different.

We do have excellent quality Air Hockey Tables available and we're also offering 7% off your first purchase. Use ezine7 as your promotional code.

History of Lacrosse

The history of lacrosse claims to make it the first sport of America. Created by the Native American Indian and adopted by the French and other European followers then migrated north to Canada all of whom embraced and helped the sport grow. While modern day lacrosse has been most popular in the United States and throughout Europe for over a century.

Lacrosse is a sport that combines soccer with basketball and hockey. It has become so popular because it's easy to pick up, great exercise and anyone can play. It is a game of speed, quickness, coordination and teamwork. Now children and adults of all ages can enjoy playing this great sport.

The history of lacrosse literally crosses over centuries of time and is based in the Native American History. As many games that include a stick and ball or rock of some sort it is said that the game was first played to develop healthy strong workers and resolve disputes between families and villages.

Some historians believe that lacrosse or games of this nature were actually played as a precursor to combat. Much the way hockey was born the villagers would span acres of field and the battles could take days to be decided. It goes without saying these first games were rather physically brutal and have since tamed down since early times.

George Beers is often referred to as the founder of lacrosse history or at least the first to begin modifying and standardizing the game in 1867. He applied a field size as well as a limit to the number of players on the field and a number of other simple rules. A decade later NYU formed the first college team then a number of high school teams followed.

The majority of the first games in lacrosse history only included men. It wasn't until the late 1800's and early 1900's that women's teams were recognized at the high school and collegiate level. The rules and equipment from that time have changed dramatically as well. The early games in lacrosse history essentially had no protective gear at all. It wasn't until the 1930's that basic gear was starting to be implemented.

The rules have always been slightly different for men and women. Men are allowed much more contact than women and therefore are required to wear more protective gear. But evidence shows that neither male nor female lacrosse should be considered a dangerous sport. Statistics show that it is much safer than football or hockey.

Today lacrosse is considered to be one of the fastest growing sports in the US. The sports participation has more than tripled in the past 8 years. The college level participation has exploded to over 400 colleges holding lacrosse clubs throughout the country. And it's easy to see why as it's a fast paced sport full of sprinting and cutting with precision passing and teamwork to bring it all together. The sport has come along way from the days of sticks and rocks...So goes the history of lacrosse

Author is from http://recruitcity.com, lacrosse scholarships at recruit city

You Don't Shuffle Cloth Hockey Cards

Believe it or not, trading cards has been a very popular hobby throughout the years. If you happen to be a big fan of hockey, then you may want to consider starting to collect a few hockey cards of your own. You'll actually find that it can be a whole lot of fun and it's a great way to learn more about the game and the players behind it as well. So, let's take a closer look at card collecting and the excellent hobby that it can be.

History Behind Card Trading

First of all, you'll find that there is a long history behind card trading. In fact, you'll find that some of the first sports cards were around in the late 1800s. They actually had a whole lot do to with the popularity of some sports, such as baseball. Back in those days, they were made of cloth most of the time and they were not made on a commercial level until the early 1900s. Soon they were packaged with various products, such as gum, Cracker Jacks, and even tobacco. So, in about the mid 1900s, it became a very popular hobby to trade off these cards. Today there are a variety of sports to choose from, and hockey lovers are now involved in collecting and trading hockey cards.

Rating the Cards

When it comes to hockey trading cards, there are some ways that they can be rated. The quality and the condition have a whole lot to do with the worth. If you find them in great condition with no turned corners or no creases in them, you can really make some money on them. However, writing on them, corners that are soft, creases, and tears can make them rate lower. Usually this makes them worth a whole lot less money.

Keeping Them Safe

If you're going to collect these hockey cards, you'll want to make sure that you do everything possible to keep them safe, since this does affect their value in a big way. Make sure that you store them in a place that is safe and dry. It can be helpful to store them in nice plastic covers or sleeves as well to help keep them safe. If you have cards that are very valuable, then putting them in a nice hard case can help you to make sure that they are very well protected so they won't become damaged and lose their worth.

So, if you enjoy the game of hockey, trading and collecting some hockey cards can be a whole lot of fun and it can become an excellent hobby that you'll enjoy.

Terry Price is a regular contributor to HockeyEquipmentSticks.com which is an informational website offering exciting new Ice Hockey Equipment Hockey Sticks and great hockey advice.

What Makes Your Air Hockey Table Worth It?

If you want to keep your family really busy this season with some fast paced action, get them the most popular game table - the air hockey tables! With a history of over 40 years to its credit, this table has been a hit since the day it came into the market. Providing you with a miniature version of hockey, they remind you of windy winter nights and are especially a treasure for those who think that 70s rocked!

The air hockey table basically consists of small holes on the table top from which air is blown on to the table. The puck that needs to be hit is kept afloat by these layers of air and you score by hitting the puck down your opponent's goal. Quoted to be the world's fastest table sport, the air hockey is a great escapade for those stuck indoors. Normally they are 7 feet long and have a 2" drop so that you have the feel of being out in the grounds.

Though air hockey tables could be quite expensive, especially if you go for the professional ones, you can get low-priced versions for home use. You can get these discounted tables at a fraction of price of the professional one. There are quite a large number of good tables available today in the market and you can even get it online as well. Also they come with delightful add-on features like automatic scoring and even celebration of goals with lights and sound effects. It adds up all the spice to the game and keeps you wanting for more!

Now that sounds too simple to achieve. However, you cannot actually make a goal without having good skills and great pace in your moves. Your reflexes need to be perfect and you need to maneuver the puck real fast to reach the opponent's goal post. Today this game table has become a craze even with professionals and this is the best type of sports adventure you can have indoor.

The biggest bonus of bringing an air hockey table home is that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In fact your children can get so mystified by it; you might have to never worry them sticking back to the idiot screen games ever again. Involving a lot of drama, pace and intense moments of action, these tables is a true novelty for your home gaming rooms.

If you have to have a great game table back home then it is only the air hockey table that can do you justice. No matter how many times you have played at air hockey tables, they just tend to get better with you each time!

Why Everybody Loves Famous Ice Hockey Quotes

Every day when I read the hockey section in the newspaper I am looking for funny ice hockey quotes that are worth remembering. There actually are not anything funnier for a NHL fan than to tell his friends the latest hockey quotes.

One day the sayings you told your friends might become one of the most famous hockey quotes in history of the game.

I know that people sometimes consider me to be quite odd in some areas of life (maybe because I love hockey so much), but when it comes to me liking famous ice hockey quotes I know that I am not odd.

Thousand of other hockey fans are enjoying sayings as well. My buddies love them and many newspaper actually list the most weird and famous quotes on the pages.

The fact that others are enjoying quotes too is proof enough for me that this is not a weird habit of mine. I am just a simple and ordinary ice hockey fan.

So, what is it that makes hockey quotes so great and why do we love them so much?

I think that the reason ice hockey fans love famous quotes is because all sayings somehow have a lot of truth in them. They also help us understand the game and often include some small kind of wisdom as well.

Many hockey quotes are quite stupid as well, I know, but they also tell us a lot of things about the spirit of hockey. They tell us what hockey is all about.

One of my favourite famous ice hockey quotes has to be Gretzky saying:

"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been."

This one tells so much about Gretzky. Everyone else whish they could play and think like The Great One, but nobody ever could. He made the game simply because he was the best.

HockeyTribute.com is an informative site for ice hockey fans and a place where you can learn more about NHL and ice hockey fights.

Hockey Songs

Hockey songs are inspirational songs written for the game of hockey. There are a lot of songs written about this great sport. Hockey songs are an excellent way to capture the spirit of the game.

There are many bands singing hockey songs. They play inspirational hockey songs for the team in order to boost their spirit. The themes of hockey songs vary widely from band to band. There are humorous hockey songs, songs about hockey players and songs praising the segments of famous hockey events.

There are a numerous hockey songs popular in Canada. The game of ice hockey is the most popular game and the national winter sport in Canada. Many Canadians are obsessed with hockey that has become a part of Canadian culture. Hockey songs are written in order to inspire and motivate the hockey players.

Of several hockey songs, 'The hockey song', is the best. Written by 'Stompin' Tom Connors, it is an immortal song celebrating Canada's love for hockey. Well known for its chorus, the song has spilt up verses, each one describing a period of play in a typical hockey game. This song is the most played one at all Canadian hockey events.

Another classic hockey song is the Tragically Hip song "Fifty Mission Cap." This song is a true song story about Bill Barilko, who scored one of the most famous goals in National Hockey League history. The legend of Barilko, who scored the 1951 Stanley Cup winning goal for the Toronto Maple, and his mysterious death are forever immortalized in this song.

Other popular hockey songs are "Hockey" by Jane Siberry, "Hockey Night in Canada" of The Shuffle Demons, "Gordie and My Old Man" of Grievous Angels, "The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Parts I and II" of Rheostatics, "Hit Somebody!" by Warren Zevon and "The Zamboni Song" by Gear Daddies.

Hockey provides detailed information on Hockey, Hockey Jerseys, Hockey Tickets, Hockey Equipment and more. Hockey is affiliated with Ice Hockey Goalie Equipment.

Air Hockey - Fact Or Fiction?

I have always been a fan of air hockey tables and the game played on them. While they have, throughout memory, been something I've seen nearly everywhere - church basements, arcades, bowling alleys and college dorms - I've sort of always taken them for granted. But what is the truth behind them? Is what I know fact or fiction?

Air hockey tables have been around since God. This is fiction. The game of air hockey, along with the table on which to play it is only about 30 years old. Invented in 1972 by an engineer named Bob Lemieux at Brunswick Billiards, air hockey is fairly new in the world of games tables.

All air hockey tables use air. This, too, is fiction. In reality, there are many different types of surfaces on which one can play a game of "air hockey". Since the name itself is patented, producers of other tables which feature a slick surface, but no air. This is especially true in the smaller, tabletop models and the portable ones as well.

Air hockey is a casual game. Nope. Not true at all. In fact, soon after the game was invented, leagues began popping up and today tournaments are played internationally.

Air hockey is an American game. Wrong again. While the game itself was invented in Cincinnati, Ohio, its popularity has spread throughout the world. Russia, Venezuela, the Czech Republic and Spain have all had players win or place in world tournaments.

Everyone has always played air hockey. Again, not true. While the game was an instant success, with leagues springing up all over the place and sales going through the roof, air hockey fell out of favor for a few years in the early 80s, when video game arcades became popular.

Air hockey can be played by anyone. True. Air hockey is a fun game that anyone can enjoy. Grandkids can play with their grandparents. Husband and wife can spar off in a friendly game. Siblings, cousins and friends can all play and have fun while doing so.

Air hockey tables are big and expensive. Well, this one is a yes and no answer. If you are looking for a regulation, 8-foot table, it can get fairly pricey - around $2,000 - $5,000. If you have the space and budget for it, that's great. But there are tables available in everything from a 4-foot table top for about $100 up to the big 8-footers.

You have to know ice hockey rules to play air hockey. Not at all. If all you're interested in is knocking the puck around for awhile, that's great. Play until someone has scored 7 goals and you're done. If, however, you want to "play by the rules", check out the USAA (United States Air Hockey Association), where you can find out all the rules.

Air hockey has a surprising rich history and devoted fan-base. People all over the world love this game and enjoy it. Can you count yourself among them?

Find the best game tables available like air hockey tables and table tennis games at this cool online game table shop.

Who's Tops in Hockey and Who's Not

The National Hockey League needs to do more to encourage better coverage of the hockey games. With so many other sports realizing national coverage, the NHL is sometimes forgotten. However, this year, there's a race for the Stanley Cup, and only one is set to win it. But which team will that be?

Right now, bookmakers are showing that, while the Philadelphia Flyers were on top only days ago, the odds are now swinging back and forth with the Flyers and other potential contenders such as the Ottawa Senators, as the teams to watch in the sprint for the Stanley Cup this year. Of course, all of the NHL information and stats change daily, but the odds are the best current indicator of which team is certainly a contender for the Stanley Cup of 2006.

However, the race for the 2006 Cup didn't simply begin with the end of the 2005 playing season and the winning of the Stanley Cup for the year. It began over 100 years ago in 1892, at a dinner of the Ottawa Amateur Athletic Association. A speech was delivered that indicated that a challenge cup would be a good idea and that this contest should be held from year to year for the teams in the Dominion of Canada. At the time, that was a grand total of three major teams. You might be accurate in an assumption that the National Hockey League has seen tremendous growth since then.

Lord Stanley purchased a silver cup which by today's standards would only have a value of only about $50 and appointed Sheriff John Sweetland and Philip D. Ross as trustees of the cup. This Stanley Cup is the same cup that the two men were trustees over all of those years ago.

The winners of each year's Stanley Cup are tasked to hold the Cup and to return it in good condition to the trustees at year's end so that it may be given to the winner of the next Cup. The Cup is never to become the exclusive property of a single team regardless of how many times that team may win the trophy but each year the winning team's club name and the year are engraved on the silver ring fitted on the Cup.

That very first year, the Stanley Cup was taken by the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) hockey club as the winners for 1894. Unfortunately, Lord Stanley was never to witness a championship game or even the presentation of the trophy he had purchased because he returned to England, his homeland, in mid-1893.

The popularity of hockey grew so quickly that in 1895 almost every town in Canada had a team which thrived on hockey. No longer were Ontario, Quebec and Winnipeg the only teams that were ready to take the Stanley Cup. Instead numerous teams came out and all of the teams were strong contenders for the Stanley Cup. In 1896, the Victorias of Montreal versus the Victorias of Winnipeg placed with the Winnipeg team taking the Cup 2 to 0. Less than a year later, a rematch was to occur.

Presented as the greatest sports ever in Winnipeg history, even in the economy of 1896, tickets were scalped for as much as $12 each. Everyone wanted to see this Stanley Cup playoff game. Montreal won this match up 6 to 5 after being down 2 to 0 at halftime. It was documented as the finest match ever played in Canada.

While the early Stanley Cup games differed greatly from today's game, the popularity has continued to rise over the many years. Originally, there were seven men on the ice for each team rather than the six we know today. Sideboards were non-existent and players used very little sports equipment. Injuries were quite common and much more serious than what players of today have to deal with in their hockey games and practices.

The Stanley Cup is considered to be the most famous trophy in the sporting world. It is certainly the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes, having logged more than 400,000 miles in travel during only the past five seasons. Traditionally, each winning player and team management staff member gets to take the Cup home for one day to share with their friends and family.

No matter how the lines move between now and the final play for this year's Stanley Cup, you simply will not want to miss keeping track as the big day draws closer. This game is the Super Bowl of hockey and it pales in comparison to many other sports as far as national coverage is concerned. The Stanley Cup will be watched by millions, some of whom are not traditionally hockey fans and many who do not know the history behind Lord Stanley's great purchase. And for a sporting event to be worthy of a trophy which travels over 400,000 miles to note the worthy accomplishments of one lone team, it's an event that no one should miss especially those behind the major networks! Incidentally, in the humble opinion of many fans, the only true contender this year for the Stanley Cup is the Philadelphia Flyers. What do you think?

This article was written by Leslie Sinclair sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com. If you?re looking for online sports tickets for the next hockey game, look no further than Stubhub.com where fans buy and sell the hottest tickets. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link back to http://www.stubhub.com.

How Old is the Ice Hockey Arena Rental Business?

Ice hockey has been around since 1800, when it was called "Hurley on ice" up in Nova Scotia. However, the game was played on frozen over ponds. There was no such thing as an ice hockey rink. It was something that didn't occur until 1875, which was when the first organized indoor game of hockey was played. This happened in Montreal at the Victoria Skating Rink. And then it was 1893 when the first Stanley Cup was won, so hockey definitely has quite the amazing history.

But there is a business that has taken off throughout the years and that is ice hockey arena rentals.

The ice hockey arena rental business consists of the ice hockey arena renting out their space for individuals and groups to enjoy some skating time.

When did ice hockey arena rentals begin?

The truth is that it is hard to say when the ice hockey arena rental business began. Back in the late 1800s when there were more than 100 ice hockey teams in Montreal alone, most of them were skating on frozen ponds and lakes. Nevertheless, some of these teams began actually playing rather large tournaments, hence the first Stanley cup in 1893. Since there was a shortage of ice hockey rinks, it is fair to say that the indoor rinks that were established were renting out their spaces. It is also possible that rentals began before that in the pond and lake days because many of these ponds and lakes resided on private property. The owners were not going to let these individuals use their property for nothing, so they most likely let them use it at a cost. This is when everyone on the teams would pull in their money to pay the owner so that they could use their property for the day.

It is really hard to say exactly when ice hockey arena rentals began because there are no official records to go by. Many of the owners would rent based on their own discretion and would just let it go from there. However, it is fair to say that this is something that has been occurring for quite some time.

Modern day ice hockey arena rentals:

Now you can rent virtually any ice hockey arena for a price. They are not cheap, but you can rent them to practice if you are into figure skating, if you just want to have fun with your friends, or if you want to have an ice skating event.

For instance, many companies may have ice hockey teams and they will play the ice hockey teams of other companies. When they do this, they need the entire arena staff to help them conduct their game because there will be people watching. This also means operating the concession stands in many cases. This is a great way for the arena to make even more money and it is a great way to make a company look great to all of those who hear of and attend the event.

So although it is hard to tell how long ice hockey arena rentals have been going on, they are definitely a great thing. This means that you don't just have to be on a professional hockey team to experience the rink. You can be anyone with the cash to rent the arena and give a lot of people a good time. So check with the ice hockey arena in your area and see if you can arrange something for your business, your church, or for personal use. The individuals at the ice hockey rink will quote you prices and you can take it from there.

Check with the ice hockey arena in Michigan area and see if you can arrange something for your business or for personal use. Clients wanting to sell ice times, ice rental in Michigan or ice rinks list the times and specify asking prices then listing is free.

The History of the Boston Bruins

The history of the Boston Bruins can be traced to the begging of the NHL. The Bruins are home to Boston Massachusetts and are in the Northeast NHL division, witch is part of the Eastern Conference. In 1924 the bruins where introduced into the NHL and the Bruins where the first united stats hockey team. Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadians, and the Chicago Black Hawks, these teams will become known as the original six, because they where the first hockey teams of the NHL. The Boston Bruins have the second most Stanly cups victory wins at five, just second to the Detroit Red Wings witch have eleven. The Bruins Play at the TD Bank Garden witch is located in the heart of Boston.

The Bruins would end up in last place with a record of 6-24, despite winning there first ever hockey game in December 1, 1924. In 1929, the bruins had the best winning season, with an.875 winning percentage, and they have won 38 out of 44 games, witch still stands as the best winning hockey season of any NHL team. In 1929 the bruins would land in the Stanly cup finals, but they lost to the Montreal Canadians, witch would be the begging to a long time rivalry. The Boston Bruins would be the first NHL team to sing an African-American by the name of Willie O're who was the first every black man to play in the NHL.

The pre-world-war Two days for the Boston Bruins was a very good time for the team, they where winning almost every game, and they wound up in the Stanly cup finals more times then not. The bean town hockey team would go on a 29-year drought, that would not end in till 1970s. Bobby Orr scored the game wining goal in over time that would end the drought and winning the Stanly cup. The Boston Bruins Had a very good winning streak going in the 80s, but it would be short lived, because in the mid 90s the bruins went through some very tough times. Finally in 2007 the Bruins Acquired head coach Claude Julien and they would bring back the old 1932 main jersey logo, and they placed it on the side of there jerseys as a mini logo. Just like any other NHL team the Boston bruins had some ups and downs, but that's what makes hockey great.

Check out The Boston Bruins And get more great Hockey Facts.

Ensuring Safety With the Right Ice Hockey Equipment

Playing ice hockey is not just about getting in shape or having fun, but also about ensuring that you have the right equipment for it.

Before we get into the in depths of the game and ice hockey equipment, let us take a brief look into the history of the game and how it evolved.

It was during the 1800's that ice hockey evolved from the Irish game called hurling. During the 1800's, Irish immigrants moved to Canada and introduced the game of hurling there. It is from here that the modern version of ice hockey evolved.

In the early days, ice hockey was played in an informal manner. It would involve at least thirty players playing for each team at one time on the field. It was in Ontario, Canada in 1860 that the first puck was used in the game. In 1979, students of McGill University started setting some definitive rules for the game the first time. It was after this that the clubs and leagues started being set up.

Gradually, as the teams and leagues started being set up, the equipments for the game came in to the picture. The equipments are important for the safety of the players as many times you will see pucks flying across the rink at more than hundred miles per hour. Moreover, the players play with such an aggressive attitude that they tend to knock or hurt each other.

In the earlier years, the game was played with hockey sticks which were made of plastic rather than wood. It was in the year 1897 that pads for the goalkeepers were first introduced in the game. In 1948, goalies began experimenting and look for ways to block or trap the puck. And this was how the blockers and trappers were introduced in the game. Later the helmet combo was introduced which included the helmet, cage cover and the strap.

Today there are many types of ice hockey equipment which players can choose to wear for their safety. Commonly used protective gear includes shin guards, helmets with face cage, garter belt, jock strap, hockey pants and gloves, elbow and shoulder pads, mouth guard and neck guard.

Apart from these, the other important equipment used by the players are hockey sticks and ice skates. Ice hockey is one sport which cannot be played without all the essential safety equipments. Using the right equipment can keep you from getting bruised and injury free.

For any help on Ice skates, check out the info available online; these will help you learn to find the Inline skates!

Kids Learn History Rich Game At Field Hockey Camp

There are a variety of sports related summer camps available. These summer camp options can range from basketball and football to soccer and tennis. However, if you want your child to learn or excel at a game that has been played in some form since about 2000 BC you might consider field hockey camp.

Unlike the sports of basketball and football, field hockey has a long, rich history. While the modern game began in the 19th century in England, it is suspected some form of the game was played as long ago as 2000 BC. 4,000 year old drawings found in a tomb in Egypt depict a group of men playing a game with balls and sticks which appears to be much like hockey. While hockey became a popular sport for English men in the 1880's it was several years later before it was considered an acceptable sport for women to play. Since then, hockey has grown in popularity and is played by more than 14,000 people in the United States alone.

Like most summer camps, field hockey camp can be offered either as a day camp, or a camp where campers actually stay overnight in dorms or cabins. While day camps focus only on the game of field hockey, residential camps sometimes offer a few other activities along with field hockey lessons.

These camps can help the beginning player learn the basics of the sport as well as helping an experienced player become better at his game. These camps can focus on a single aspect of the game, such as the goal keeper position, or can help players become familiar with all of the positions available.

Generally field hockey camps will offer opportunities for full tournament play as well as individual lessons. Some even offer break out sessions of lectures and lessons which allow campers to choose which skills they need more work on. While some athletes may choose to attend these camps on their own, some schools require a stay at camp to review skills in preparation for the upcoming season. If this is the case, the school will usually choose the camp where all students will attend together. This gives them a chance not only to brush up on their skills, but also to bond as a team.

Most hockey camps require players to bring all of their own equipment, so if your child plans to take goal keeping lessons, be sure he packs the necessary gear. It might be a good idea to be sure all equipment is in good shape and good working order before your child goes away to camp. This can cut down on the possibility of having an important piece of gear break while your child is away.

So if your child wants to improve his athletic ability by learning to play a game that has been around for centuries, field hockey camp might be a great choice. These camps can improve technique and also help your child bond with his team members.

Still looking for the perfect summer camp? Try visiting http://www.aboutcamps.com - a website that specializes in providing camp advice, tips and resources including information on field hockey camp.

The Real Hockey Fans

Hockey - The Greatest Game

I became a hockey fan in 1963. I watched my first game at a friend's house as a freshman in high school. He was a Chicago Black Hawks fan. I was always an avid baseball and football fan but hockey was different. It was like a tug of war. At times, momentum would shift from minute to minute. Other times a team would control the other and dominate them for entire periods. The players had different combinations of talent and toughness.

Like other sports of the era, many players were on the same team for their entire career. Just name the player and his image will come to mind in their team uniform. This was the old six team NHL. The Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Montreal Canadiens. I became a Toronto fan. The Maple Leafs were the center point for the Hockey Night In Canada telecasts. All the teams had proud and long traditions. Each had star scoring players, top goalies, great defensemen, and at least one enforcer.

My favorite player was Frank Mahovlich. I got such a kick out of seeing him skate just over the blue line, winding up with a slap shot, and rocketing the puck like it was shot out of a cannon past the goalie. I thought, wow so many players go through all that dipsy doodle and here this guy just blasts that thing. The Leafs got into a contract dispute with The Big M and the Chicago Black Hawks offered the Leafs one million dollars for Mahovlich. The Leafs first agreed and then refused. A year after the Leafs won their last Stanley Cup in 1967 they traded him to the Red Wings. This is why I think the Leafs (who have not won a Cup since) are under "The Curse of Frank Mahovlich". Of course I became a Red Wings fan instantly and then in 1971, a Montreal Canadiens fan as the Big M was traded again. Mahovlich won six Stanley Cups. Bobby Hull of the Black Hawks was most similar to Mahovlich with the slap shot and of course Boom Boom Geoffrion of the Canadiens perfected the slap shot and was the second player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season.

In 1968, the NHL added the Pittsburg Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Minnesota North Stars, Los Angeles Kings, and the Oakland Seals. In 1970, dreams came true here in Buffalo, NY as the Buffalo Sabres became members of the NHL. In 1974 the Philadelphia Flyers became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup. The Montreal Canadiens then wheeled off four Stanley Cups in a row just to show who was really boss. The Canada Cup Series and the Olympics created some of the greatest games in history.

Today hockey has 30 teams. The lack of a major TV contract hold the sport back from gaining the popularity it deserves. Three teams are in California, two teams are in Florida, and one in Georgia, Texas, Carolina, and Arizona. The sport is beginning to cross racial barriers and world wide popularity is booming. They have many great players and stars led by Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

I say if the sport was presented in its original form, it would blossom in America. Get rid of the fighting instigator penalty. Hockey's superstars were protected in the old NHL by one, two, or three players on each team who would beat your brains out if you put a cheap hit, slash, spear, or punch to one of the teams better skaters. It added to the drama of the game. Today, open ice "legal" checks are causing more concussions and career ending injuries than ever. If someone delivered one of these "legal" checks in the old NHL, they would pay dearly by getting punched out on several occasions. Goalies are allowed to skate and pass all over the place. I say if you step out of the crease with the puck, you are fair game. I like the two line pass rule.

Breakaways are fun to watch. Get rid of that crazy shootout. Let them go 5 minutes with 4 on 4 play, and then 3 on 3 play. A tie after that would not be a sin and should be allowed. I swear the NHL leadership is listening to soccer moms instead of hockey moms. Stop the rink presentation aimed at children. Your marketing people are ruining the game. The light shows are cool, but the music is terrible. Make the old organ music mandatory. Let the Fans begin the cheers. Don't prod them on and on with pre-recorded junk. If your fans can't generate their own team cheers, then send them to a soccer game. Check out a Sabres-Leafs, Oilers-Flames, or Rangers-Islanders game. They don't need all that phony stuff to generate excitement.

One last note. If TV fans can't see the puck it's because they have no idea what is going on in the game. It's not the visibility of the fast moving puck. Real hockey fans know where the darn puck is and usually where it is going next. Let's take the hammers out and bang up the team bus. Let's get the greatest game back where it belongs - to the real hockey fans.

Charles Priore

A Brief Introduction to The Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Team

The Philadelphia Flyers hockey team is one of the most popular hockey teams in the country, with a huge fan base and rock solid support. Philadelphia's professional ice hockey team is a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). Founded in 1967 as a part of the NHL expansions, the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team has always been one of the best expansion teams throughout and also holds the record for being the first expansion team to win the Stanley cup.

However, the years before the Stanley cup win were not great to begin with. The team was a mediocre medley of physically outmatched players during the initial years, which led to the management hiring large and tough players, who managed to earn the title of the Broad Street Bullies in 1972-73, much before they earned any other significant title. However, all this changed when the team won two consecutive Stanley cups in both 74 and 75. But this was the team's last Stanley cup win, for while the team has managed to reach the playoffs time and time again, the cup has eluded them since 1975. This does not however mean that the team is past its glory, and is today among the best teams in the NHL, with the second highest winning percentage in the League.

The Philadelphia flyers are always in competition with other Atlantic Division members-- the New York Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils. Their favorite foes however would be the New Jersey Devils, who have been major competition in the Atlantic Division titles, and being the only other team apart from the flyers to take the title since 1995.

While the team has had a history of producing great players, Bobby Clark, three time winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy, has been one of the best players ever to play on the side. Eric Lindros and Dave Schultz "Hammer" also find their names somewhere on the top of the list of the most famous Flyers players.

The Philadelphia Flyers have been playing their home games in Broad Street at the Wachovia Center. You can also catch them in action here during season. Tickets to Flyers games are available as different packages ranging from single and season tickets to package and group tickets.

If you are planning to become a Philadelphia Flyers hockey team fan, then you should become the owner of a Flyers jersey soon. The orange, white and black jersey and its many avatars has become a part of hockey folklore, what with its being one of the most recognized NHL jerseys in the country. You can also easily stock up on a number of other merchandise with the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team logo of a flying puck with four Ps to show your support and allegiance to the team.

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Young Hockey Phenoms - The Hockey Card Effect

Ever since Sidney Crosby entered the NHL and was eligible to be on an official rookie card (Sidney was depicted on cards while in junior, but these were not considered rookie cards), it seems the hockey card industry has come back to life. We all remember the thrill of buying packs in the 80's as children even though they were basically worthless (at the time) and each pack only cost us thirty five cents. We also remember the rise and fall of the hockey card in the early nineteen nineties. Although none of us like to admit it, the excitement that was generated in the early nineties was mainly due to a young phenom entering the league named Eric Lindros. The downfall of course was due to the fact that too many companies made too many cards making them abundant and devoid of any real value.

Ever since the phenomenal rise and fall of the early nineties, the industry has been trying to regain its fallen grace. At first, card companies realized that there needed to be some kind of production standards on cards. Companies started producing less and slowly the value started to come back. Besides producing a smaller number of set cards, companies started using other techniques to generate interest. Short printing special cards such as rookies brought some value back into the first cards of players entering the league. Nowadays rookie cards are received in a ratio of packs per box (ex. 1 rookie in every 4 packs of a 24 pack box). Special cards started to be introduced into the industry. Plain base cards had become common and boring. Companies began releasing game used material cards, autographed cards, parallel variations, subsets, and many other different varieties of cards. With each new innovation, card companies were slowly bringing back consumer confidence and market share.

Bringing in new types of cards and limiting the production runs were good techniques in order to drive value and boost interest in hockey cards which were coming back from the downs they had experienced. That being said, nothing generates interest in cards more than a young phenom entering the league. Enter Sidney Crosby. Sidney Crosby (much like Eric Lindros before him), has been a catalyst in the jump of hockey card interest since his rookie year in the 2005/06 NHL season. There has been no better year for the NHL to have a player of Sidney Crosby's caliber enter the league. The league had just gone through a lockout period, and the 2004/05 season was a wash. With the start of the 2005/06 season being Crosby's first coupled with the fact that there had been no hockey for NHL starved fans for over a year, it was the perfect catalyst for a jump in hockey card mania. Hockey cards have since been selling strong, with young guns like Crosby leading the push. Card companies have capitalized on the popularity of the young man. Some may say this reeks of the same situation that happened in the early nineteen nineties, but the feel is different this time. This time it seems card companies have learned from their mistakes and are holding sure on keeping production under wraps.

There is no denying that the quality of young players coming into the league is a huge boost to hockey card sales, regardless of other techniques card companies can use. We've seen Lindros and Crosby manias make a difference. John Tavares has entered the league this year and is bringing a Crosby like excitement to the game. History dictates an uptick in hockey card interest for the year. Only time will tell.

Canada Card World is a leading provider of sports and non-sport hobby boxes.

Hockey Hobby Boxes

Invention of Hockey

A lot of speculations have been made as to where hockey originated and who invented hockey. Known as a very famous game in Canada this does not prove its origin in the country. It even, somehow, posted a great debate among them as to where this game really started.

History show a similar sport has been played in Asia . Egyptian paintings where found in a dug site of the tomb of Kheti. The 2000 BC drawings illustrated men holding curved sticks with a ball that is believed to be a very similar sport to Hockey. May it really be the Egyptians who invented hockey?

But other findings prove that Egyptians are not the only one who has the same idea of this sport. In 514 BC, a game with the resemblance of the modern day field hockey was played in Greece . Who invented hockey and where it came from? Its still uncertain. It might be the Persians, who played it as well, or perhaps it came from the Arabs, or maybe from Ethiopia , or it might even be the Mexicans, the Aztecs. All these cultures and countries have documents that tell us a sporting activity of teams have been played with curved sticks and a ball.

Only then during the Middle Ages that Europe recognized it in different names and plays the sport in different styles. French call it Crosse, the Scots named it Shinty, and Irish call it hurling. Earlier than that, the Romans call it paganica. In 1527, France, the word hockey was derived in reference to a curved stick which they call hoquet. This was learned from the records found in Ireland. There were even legends that the term hockey was actually named after a Col. Hockey of Windsor Nova Scotia, hence it was someway concluded that hockey originates from there. But the real answer to the question who invented hockey is still a puzzle?

Facts have it that there are no reliable proofs on who invented hockey. There were no testimonies recorded and no authenticated data to help us figure out the origins of this sport. The basic concepts of the game were found anywhere all over the world, thus telling us that there might really be no invention at all of hockey and it has no birthplace. Just like any other sport of today that has been developed over and over again to suit the demands of all who plays it.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about Invention Of Hockey [http://www.hockeytoday.info/invention-of-hockey], please visit Hockey Today [http://www.hockeytoday.info] for current articles and discussions.

Hockey and Its History

How long has hockey been around? It has been around in one form or another almost as long as history. In Ethiopia evidence has been found that dates back 4,000 years. In Greece a tablet that dates B.C. pictures young people playing field hockey. There are records and evidence of this ball and stick game in Rome, Ireland, Scotland, Egypt and South America as well. It was called by different names, but the idea is still the same. "Hockie" as it was called in Ireland centuries ago, is here to stay.

If you made a visit to England in the 17th or 18th century, you might see a slightly different and more chaotic version of hockey. Villages would play against each other-and it could actually be the whole village. Sixty to one hundred players on a hockey team were not uncommon. The teams would try to get the ball into the opposing team's common ground. The hockey games often took several days to play and many players ended up with broken limbs and other injuries. They had umpires, but the umpires could not make any calls unless a player or team asked them to.

Finally, some common sense was used, and stricter rules began to be introduced. A headmaster in England limited his students to a mere 30 players on the field for each team at one time. In the 1860's Eton College of England actually wrote down some rules. Then, in the 1875, the Hockey Association was formed and more rules were agreed on. The field at this time was 200 meters long and all of the players on each team ran around following the ball. Even more structure was added to hockey with the "pyramid" formation of 11 players: one goalie, 2 backs, 5 forwards, and 3 halves. The umpires were also given the authority to make calls without being asked to by the players.

The first year that this sport was played in the Olympics was 1908 when men were allowed to play. Women were not allowed to compete in the Olympics in this sport until 1980. Now every continent has teams and many countries send teams to compete not only in the Olympics, but in The World Cup and The Champion's Trophy as well.

There are still many variations of this sport which can appeal to all ages, abilities and situations. So, if you are interested, look for a league and get into it.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about Recreation and Sports. For more information about hockey [http://www.flyhockey.com] visit flyhockey.com [http://www.flyhockey.com]

History of Pakistan Hockey in Olympics

Pakistan Hockey Federation was established in 1948, to guide and look after the players. The Pakistan Hockey team was also given a name-Green Shirts. Since then, Hockey has become Pakistan's national game. Pakistan has a glorious history in Men's Hockey. The past is glorious. The nation has won 3 gold medals in field hockey in summer Olympics. The journey actually started with 1956 Olympics, when the Pakistani national side reached Olympics final for the first time. The nation got independence in 1947, so this was a big achievement. India defeated Pakistan in this final, but the green shirts never lost hope. They level the defeat of 1956 final with an impressive victory in Olympics of 1960.

In the next 4 Olympics, Pakistan never left the field without going to the victory stand. Pakistan proved it that their winning the Olympics in 1960 was no fluke. Pakistan played the final match in 1964, 1968 and 1972 for 3 consecutive Olympics, winning the gold medal in 1968 and silver medal in the other two Olympics.

Pakistani Green shirts were not able to reach the final of the Olympics in 1976 and 1980, but they did strike back full force in 1984 and snatched the gold medal from the strongest opponent West Germany. After 1984, Pakistan has reached the victory stand in Olympics hockey only once. That was back in 1992, for a bronze medal.

In fact Pakistan's first international win was over Belgium on the 2nd of August, 1948, at the fourteenth Olympic Games. Since then, their game has been progressing from strength to strength. And world-class players like-Hassan Sardar, Mohammed Saqlain, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mansoor Ahmed, Sohail Abbas, Kaleemullah Khan, Waseem Ahmad, Shahnaz Sheikh, Samiullah Khan and Manzoor Hussain, among others-will forever find their names etched in letters of gold!

The Pakistan Hockey teams are best remembered for their performances at the various Olympiads. Every Summer Olympics is after all an international event, and it requires a lot of grit and excellence to overcome competition from so many participating countries! And this Pakistan managed to do wonderfully, especially on the "hockey" field! The winning squads were carefully chosen to represent the country, and they did not fail the faith placed in them! Their record has really been enviable! They are the proud owners of three gold medals at the Summer Olympics held in 1960, 1968, and 1984. The 1960 Olympics was special to Pakistan as Pakistan won the gold medal in Olympics for the first time.

Also, Pakistan defeated the arch rival India in the final. In the 1968 Olympics final, Pakistan defeated Australia to snatch the crown. Pakistan beat West Germany in 1984 to win the gold medal third time. Since then Pakistan has not performed in the usual brilliant way in any Olympics. And so what if they did not receive gold medals during the other Olympiads? They did manage to bag 3 silvers and 2 bronze in their place! The nation is proud of its hockey history, and wishes to get back to the crown once again very soon.

For further information, please visit History of Pakistan Hockey Team [http://www.pakistan-hockey.com/]

Box Hockey

Box hockey is an active game played with a five sided box, a puck, sticks and played outdoors. Its main objective is to shift the hockey puck from the box's centre through holes placed at the box's each end, also called the goal.

Every player faces each other on either side of the box, attempting to move the puck to the left portion. If a player succeeds in making the puck to leave the box through the goal, the player scores a point.

The first player who gets to score the set goal amount wins.

Box hockey History

The origin of this game is mired as a mystery. However, the game has gone around right from the late nineteenth century. Box hockey had witnessed huge resurgence in United States, right from the mid 70s to early 80s. This was a part of the dramatic rise of staffing and funding to the Parks and Recreations departments across the country to reduce the then prevalent youth violence.

Many kids, from Maine to Fairbanks, Alaska, remember playing this game in summer during this time. Andy Brody, in 1994, established Box Hockey International, beginning to mass produce and market the bigger floor version. You can still purchase handmade suitcase type games at the Lowell Festival even today.

They also have a dozen or so setup each year to play during festive occasions. Box hockey has also been used for agility training in camps and hockey schools throughout U.S. and Canada.

Equipments used

Below are the equipments required to play the game:-

- Box - Nearly 3 foot wide x 1 foot high x 8 foot long high constructed three plywood dividers. Two shortened hockey sticks.

- A single hockey puck - The best one for box hockey is a floor hockey puck.

For more information on other sports, such as Soccer including the World Cup 2010, visit one of the links within this article. It's a one stop shop for anything regarding the FIFA World Cup.

Hockey Stickers and the Sport's History

Hockey has become such a widespread sport it is played many different ways in many different places and there are so many fans. So why don't many people don't know about the history of hockey? Hockey has been around for centuries and had gone through a lot to become what it is today

Hockey has been around since early civilization such as the Rome, Scotland, Egypt and South America. Evidence shows hockey was played even before Christ. It was a simple game played on a grass field with a ball and a stick. In fact, it was typically called "the ball and stick game" there were many other names for it but the one that stuck was what the Irish called it, "hockie."

It wasn't until the 17th and 18th century that the game became unusually competitive. In England, different villages would play against neighboring villages. There were up to 100 players to a team. Games would last as long as a month and players would get injured. Instead of friendly competition, the game became about proving something and manhood. There were umpires but they barely made calls. Not only had this sport become chaotic, hockey was dangerous. People started to realize this and rules became a prominent part of the game.

The rules were scarce at first but as time grew the rules gained strength and complexity. The rules were established along with the Hockey Association in 1875 by Eton College in England. One of the major rules was giving the umpire more authority. This alone calmed the game down and made it more civilized. Another rule limited the number of men allowed on the team to 30. As the years passed more rules were added restricting the aggression and organizing the way the game is played.

Today the dominant branch of hockey is ice hockey. Ice hockey started in Montreal Canada in 1875. A Canadian legend says that Pierre Lapin was the one to stumble upon the sport. He used a crooked stick to help him walk across the ice. This all happened when he swung the stick at a piece of beaver bladder that had surfaced. When he hit the bladder it traveled across the ice and landed just short of a small bay, imitating the goal. Soon after this, the idea developed into a game that would be worldwide!

Hockey today is huge! There are so many teams and they are constantly in the media. The men and women who play are paid millions and have contracts. The fans are just as passionate as the players. There are so many ways to show your love for your team. Fans wear signed jerseys and t-shirts and hats and have hockey stickers on their cars. There is national league that these teams belong to. Hockey has become an enormous part of our culture.

Hockey then and hockey now are very different. In the beginning there was chaos and no organization! Today, there are rules and regulations and over three officials that run the game. There used to be upwards of 100 players on a team. That has since been limited. But although there are all these differences, the game has not changed all that much. The men who play now have the same love and passion for the game that existed 4000 years ago. There is still that competitive spirit and that adrenalin-rush that the players get when they step on to the field or the ice. The men of these different times are really not that different. What is different is the publicity of it. People didn't get to support their team in ancient times like fans do today. There was no spirit wear, no hockey stickers, no team flags. Village folk couldn't sit down in their huts and "put the game on." Today we watch games on our TVs and sometimes if we are lucky we get tickets to see the game in person. There are significant differences, but these differences haven't changed the game at all.

"A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be."- Wayne Gretzky This quote transcends through past centuries and centuries to come. This is what remained consistent in the game, the strategy and the passion to play.

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In case you are wondering, the StickerGiant community consists of Liberals, Conservatives, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Atheist. We are a slice of the American pulse and we like it that way. So, stand up for who you are and pick out a sticker that represents who you are. Say it with stickers !

A Piece of the Miracle - 1980 USA Hockey Team Collectibles

The 1980 USA hockey team played what could be called the most memorable game in hockey history. So significant was the game that Sports Illustrated voted it as the greatest moment in sports. It also captured the imagination of the whole nation, which at the time was reeling from the stressful 70s. It was also the game that made the chant 'U-S-A! U-S-A!' popular, which has since been the rallying cry in many international games. No wonder memorabilia related to the 1980 USA hockey team are very much sought-after.

Why they matter

In an era where the playing field was dominated by the Soviets, the 1980 USA hockey team were never considered a threat. It was very unlikely that the US Olympic team, composed of collegiate and amateur hockey players, could ever hope to win against the heavily-favored Soviet Union team.

Of the 12 teams that joined the competition at Lake Placid, New York, the US team was seeded 7th. Two years before the competition, the Soviet team had won against the NHL All-Stars for the Challenge Cup. The score? 6-0. In an exhibitions game in 1980, the Soviets also scored 5-3-1 against the National Hockey League teams. They were also manned by some of the most legendary hockey players in history, including team captain Boris Mikhailov and goalie Vladislav Tretiak.

Another factor that added to the excitement of the US vs. USSR game was the Cold War, where the US and the Soviet Union had an uneasy and long-standing participation. It also helped that during an exhibition match 13 days before the actual competition, the Soviet Reds defeated the Americans 10-3. A column in the New York Times said that unless a miracle is performed by the US or another team, the Soviets were expected to take home the gold medal.

But history was going to be written differently. Under the tough guidance of coach Herb Brooks and the leadership of team captain Mike Eruzione, the US team scored: the first point from Buzz Schneider, two from Mark Johnson and the last from Eruzione himself. The US team went on to win the gold medal.

A piece of the Miracle

One of the most popular 1980 USA hockey team collectible is a group-signed jersey, valued at about $1,300.00. It includes signatures from Eruzione, Craig, Johnson, Schneider, Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, Dave Silk, Phil Verchota, Mike Ramsey, Ken Morrow, Mark Pavelich and 9 other players. The jersey comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Steiner Sports, one of the most respected and reliable authenticators of sports items and memorabilia.

Hand-signed jerseys are probably the most expensive collectibles from the 1980 US hockey team, with prices over $1000. Hockey sticks are also highly-coveted and are in the same price range.

While Mike Eruzione and Mark Johnson stirred the crowd for their scoring, it was goalie Jim Craig who bore the brunt of the Soviets' attacks and kept them at bay through his strong defense. This makes any Craig-signed memorabilia special. An example is a Miracle on Ice puck priced at about $80 and a hand-signed photograph of Craig draped in the American flag after the US team won the gold medal against Finland. The photos are limited edition 8" x 10" size and comes with a COA from Grandstand Sports & Memorabilia. It is priced at $130.

Another memorable collectible from the 1980 US hockey team is a photo showing the team crowding the podium during the awards ceremony. It's hand-signed by 20 team members and includes a certified hologram and COA. There are also hand-signed pucks by individual players that cost from $70 to $80.

Another great collectible is the reprint of the New York Times front page dated February 25, 1980 with the headline, 'USA Hockey Victory Stirs Celebration'. This was printed 3 days after the US defeated the Soviet team and a day after they defeated Finland to win the Gold Medal. The item costs about $90.

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