Although it may not be the US’s top sport in terms of revenue or global audiences, ask any aficionado and ice hockey will always come out tops. Hockey may be a little more niche, but there’s no denying its popularity or sheer commitment of its loyal fan base. From the adrenalin of the game to the thrill of NHL betting, here’s why fans adore the game of hockey.
Its heritage
The National Hockey League (NHL) dates back to 1917 and unlike the other major leagues in the US, was actually founded in Canada. Starting with just four teams, the NHL now has 30 franchises, with seven teams still in Canada. From the early days of knitted jumpers and no protective gear, hockey today is a slick affair, with cutting edge skates and cool, form-fitting team jerseys. But the rich history of hockey’s early days is still evident in the game, making it a fascinating sport, renowned for its dedicated fans.
You are close to the action
Compared to the 70,000 average seating capacity at an NFL game, with hockey, you can expect a typical attendance of around 17,000 spectators at an NHL match. And this means you are much closer to all that on-ice action. Getting a ‘glass seat’ is the ultimate if you want to experience the sheer speed and skill of the players close up but seats several rows back will also afford you a complete view of the rink, with all the spectator adrenalin that brings!
It’s fast-paced and furious
There’s no denying that hockey is one of the fastest games around, which means for the fans you get pretty much non-stop action, unlike other sports such as football, which is littered with stops in play. This almost constant play makes for thrilling viewing, giving fans an adrenaline rush as players speed across the ice, firing shots that can register up to 100 miles an hour.
The sheer skill involved
All sporting professionals need to be at the top of their game, but ice hockey players are pretty special when it comes to the level of skill they need. First up, they need to be able to skate, in all directions, at high speed. Then they need to be masters of the stick, bringing their all to the wrist, backhand and slapshot as well as control the puck. They also need to be masters of both the offensive and defensive zones and play at full throttle for 60 minutes. All on a slippery sheet of ice. Awesome.
The value in the amount of games played
For the fan and sports bettor alike, hockey is also great value in terms of the games played. Every NHL team plays 82 games a year, from October to June, meaning they typically play around three times a week. Compare that to the National Football League, who run a shorter season and typically play one game a week, and you can see that there’s plenty more opportunity for the hockey fan to get their sporting fix!