I agree, and what I don't understand is why hockey isn't more widespread in Utah, Colorado and Idaho (which all have fairly long periods of sub-zero [celsius] weather.) I wish we all played more. I'd like to see a hockey team in Salt Lake, I might start going to sporting events at that point...

The version of hockey that gets most kids going (Shinny) is played on lakes and ponds all around Nova Scotia. On the north shore it's played on bays, river mouths, and inlets that freeze over. On almost any pond or lake you'll see kids pushing snow shovels to make shinny rinks. On the cul-de-sac I live on, there's a shinny game in progress most fine afternoons. My guess vis-à-vis Utah, Colorado, and Idaho would be that there simply aren't enough ponds and lakes near large enough concentrations of kids to play.

When I was a kid, back in the last century, the local roller rink would throw out the nets and pass out the sticks for an hour after regular closing time so we kids could play roller hockey. An enjoyable but challenging game. Besides being blindsided by the opposition, one had to also navigate around the poles that supported the ceiling. And since none of us knew anything about hockey, it was pretty much a free for all (not fighting, just mass confusion).

No way this could happen in today's world.... owner wouldn't be able to afford the liability insurance.

@AEHurst: One of the great advantages of soccer over hockey is that it doesn't need a facility for a pickup game; it can be played anywhere. My grandsons play hockey all late Fall and Winter, soccer all summer and basketball (street hoops) in early Fall. We don't really have a Spring here -- we're a bit like Newfoundland where the 4 seasons are -- tongue in cheek -- Nearly Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Repair.

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An immigrant was once heard explaining the Norwegian seasons to a newly arrived compatriot: "They have two winters here, a white one and a green one. The green one is the worst, because they turn the heating off." :cool:
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I looked at Google Maps.... there's nothing between Nova Scotia and the North Pole but a barb wire fence, and it runs north and south.

Too True. :rolleyes: