Hockey: Canada's Game

1422 Words3 Pages

In 1994, the Canadian Federal government compromised and voted to make hockey Canada’s National Winter Sport and lacrosse Canada’s National Summer Sport. Which Sport should be named Canada’s true national sport? Hockey is in the blood of all Canadians. Millions can vividly remember the first time they put on a pair of skates and stepped onto the ice. Providing nation-wide entertainment, Canadians are overcome by emotional realization that “Canada is hockey.”- Mike Weir. Generations of Canadians were brought up listening to Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday evening on the radio. It is more than just a sport in Canada, it defines the culture. Look no further than the five-dollar bill. One will observe a group of children playing a game of hockey on a frozen pond. The sport is part of Canada’s national identity.

The defining moment of the importance of hockey in Canada was “The Goal of the Century” in 1972. It was the evening of September 28th; the site was Moscow – U.S.S.R. In the midst of the Cold War, a game-winning goal by Canadian hockey player Paul Henderson at the end of the third period with only 34 seconds left on the clock vaulted Canada to a victory at the Summit Series and put them on top of the hockey world. The heart and character of Canadian hockey internationally began. “The exact moment of that spectacular goal has become a reference point in our national collective consciousness.”- R. Eagleson (Foreword). It was the climatic goal watched by almost every Canadian, and their pride swelled to amazing heights. Hockey is more than just a game in Canada, it is a celebrated history. Hockey is Canada’s identity. “Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inho...

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...ecord revenue." Last modified April 13, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2012. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=559630.

Global BC, "The NHL in Winnipeg: the economic impact." Last modified May 31, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2012. http://www.globaltvbc.com/the+nhl+in+winnipeg+the+economic

Condotta, Bob. The Seattle Times, "US-Canada hockey game most-watched sporting event in Canadian history." Last modified February 22, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2012. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/talkofthegames/2011156169_us-canada_hockey_game_most_wat.html.

Jackson, T., "NHL's Heroes and History - 1880 -1926 ," July 2, 2011, Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg9qBRs8sX4&feature=related.

Fitzpatrick, Jamie. About.com , "Hockey History: The Time Line, 1917-1945." Last modified 2012. Accessed January 8, 2012. http://proicehockey.about.com/od/history/a/history_timelin.htm.

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