Detroit Red Wings & the NHL

[Rob F]

Rob F, many Northern States are equally as passionate about hockey as Canadians in fact, I'd consider Michigan the "11th Province" when it comes to hockey.

True about the Northern States, but once you go further south and out to the Pacific Coast ares, the easiest way to find a hockey fan is to locate someone that used to live in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, or the Northeast.

Look at the membership in the B1G Hockey Conference that is being formed, and only half the schools in the B1G are represented---Michigan, Minnesota, Wisky, spartie, ohio, and Penn State. The rest (Purdue, IU, UNL, Illini, Northwestern, and Iowa) are on the sidelines, and I don't see any of them as being likely conference members for Hockey any time soon. In fact, other than Nebraska (which has a pretty good program going at it's Nebraska-Omaha campus) I'm at a loss as to whether any of them will ever field a hockey team other than field hockey. And these 6 non-Hockey conference schools are all "northern" rather than "southern" schools.

[Tony G]

OP, There's no forgiveness needed for a clean hit. It was stupid of Lindros to come across the blue line with his head down. In today's NHL Lindros would be treated much different and might have had enough rest after his earlier concussions to have avoided some of the nastiness between him and the club. Of course Bobby "ankle breaker" Clarke would have found some other reason to run him out of town.

There are many nations where the game reigns supreme

Russia, Canada, Sweden, maybe czech, slovakia, and norway (though the nordic events are big there). Who else?

[Optimus Prime]

OP, There's no forgiveness needed for a clean hit. It was stupid of Lindros to come across the blue line with his head down. In today's NHL Lindros would be treated much different and might have had enough rest after his earlier concussions to have avoided some of the nastiness between him and the club. Of course Bobby "ankle breaker" Clarke would have found some other reason to run him out of town.

Russia, Canada, Sweden, maybe czech, slovakia, and norway (though the nordic events are big there). Who else?

Most Northern Hemisphere countries that had to modify their environment in order to survive and untimely thrive. North America, Europe & Former Soviet Union, what 1.5 Billion? Obviously soccer is huge in Europe and Russia followed by hockey.

I'd add Finland, Switzerland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Denmark, Poland , Austria, Germany and even Italy. Professional leagues: The Swedish Elite League and KHL are second only to the NHL.

[Jamie H]

True about the Northern States, but once you go further south and out to the Pacific Coast ares, the easiest way to find a hockey fan is to locate someone that used to live in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, or the Northeast.

Exactly. I lived out on the West Coast for about 15 years. There is almost zero hockey interest out there. When the Ducks played the Red Wings, it was practically a home game for the Wings because the only people that would go were people that grew up in Michigan.

Michigan loves hockey. The United States does not. Like I said, it trails even auto racing in popularity, which is pretty pathetic if you think about it.

[Mike]

Agree 100%. I went to a Ducks game recently against the Flyers and while there might have been 3-4,000 Flyer fans there, they completely drowned out any enthusiasm by the home fans. Philly overcame a 3-0 deficit and won 4-3 in OT and the place went nuts. The people I was with said it was way worse when the Wings were there a few weeks prior.

[Jamie H]

I was at the Pond for a Wings-Ducks playoff game in 2010 I think, and the "Let's Go Red Wings!" chant got so loud that it was ridiculous considering this was a PLAYOFF GAME. Detroit smoked them and, as your friend said, the place was going nuts. It must suck to play in front of "home" crowds like that.

[Tony G]

Obviously soccer is huge in Europe and Russia followed by hockey.

My list was countries where Hockey was probably #1. I'd add the Finns to my original post

[Optimus Prime]

My list was countries where Hockey was probably #1. I'd add the Finns to my original post

No question Tony.

Conversely if you take Canada, Northern Europe & Russia, hockey is more popular in those geographic regions than the NFL, MLB & NBA combined. Games that are played at the grassroots and are part of the moral fabric of the culture of each nation, thrive.

[Mike]

I was at the Pond for a Wings-Ducks playoff game in 2010 I think, and the "Let's Go Red Wings!" chant got so loud that it was ridiculous considering this was a PLAYOFF GAME. Detroit smoked them and, as your friend said, the place was going nuts. It must suck to play in front of "home" crowds like that.

No question. I saw the Red Wings in Raleigh several years ago and it was the same thing. Probably two-thirds Wings fans.

[Optimus Prime]

Wonderful news, (excuse me, I have a tear in my eye), Sid may NOT have a concussion after all. Godspeed, the NHL needs you.

Crosby's neck injury revealed

Sidney Crosby's concussion-like symptoms may not be due to a concussion after all.
The Pittsburgh Penguins star said Tuesday he's been diagnosed with a soft-tissue injury in his neck that mimics the symptoms of a concussion but is significantly more treatable.
"There's a pretty big possibility that I could be causing some of the issues and I hope that's the case," Crosby said. "I hope that it'll improve and that's hopefully the end of it."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/hockey/nhl/01/31/sidney.crosby.neck.injury.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a5&eref=sihp

[Optimus Prime]

Apparently Tm Brady and Sidney Crosby are chums. It appears "Terrific Tom" dispatched his surgeons to come to the aid of his friend. Is there no limit to the benevolence of Michigan men?

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/31/tom-brady-recommended-physical-therapist-to-his-friend-sidney-crosby/related/

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8266ad74/article/tom-bradys-medical-advice-to-sidney-crosby-pays-off

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_779255.html

[Tony G]

I would be OK with Sid never playing in the NHL again. I dislike him.

[Ghengis Jon]

If Brady's surgeon needs a 2nd opinion for Cindy, Dr Jon recommends immediate amputation.

[Optimus Prime]

Honest men.

[Optimus Prime]

No question. I saw the Red Wings in Raleigh several years ago and it was the same thing. Probably two-thirds Wings fans.

I remember in the mid to late 80's and early 90's, 1/3 of the Detroit Red Wings season ticket holders were from Southern Ontario......George, do you recall?