2007-01-11 20:37:03 · 23 answers · asked by rhstocks188 3 in Sports ➔ Hockey
I don't think it is a climatic thing like some people seem to be suggesting. I also don't really think it has as much to do with success we've had on the international level as other suggest. It truly is simply a cultural thing.
It is alot like the way baseball was in the United States in the 1950's through 60's. It is something, the love of which is passed down from generation to generation. It is a game that is learnt first and foremost while sitting on your father's knee as he watches Hockey Night in Canada.
During the NHL season, and even more so during the playoffs, not to mention during major international events; hockey results are lead stories on the news, not just sports sections. You have to be able to converse about hockey, on at least a basic level, if you want to be able to fully participate in Canadian society.
Anthropoligists could write volumes on the subject.
2007-01-12 06:49:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's the only sport that has had no competition for the #1 spot in Canada since shortly after it became an indoor game. Cricket used to compete with baseball as the Canadian summer game before baseball won out. Rugby morphed into Canadian football, but Canadian football waxes and wanes. Field lacrosse used to huge, but it's been on a downward spiral for a long time-at least outsided of BC. Basketball has been around in Canada since basketball has been around-but no Canadians have been able to play with the very best in the world until recently. However, hockey just gets bigger and better all the time. In the US football is America's game and baseball is America's pastime but in Canada, there's hockey and then every other game.
I don't think climate has much to do with it as they are as crazy about hockey in Vancouver as they are in Quebec city.
2007-01-11 23:39:36 · answer #2 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is called H O C K E Y. Saying "ice hockey" is like saying "grass football" or "floorboard basketball". If you say hockey, of COURSE it's the kind on ice. If it's another type of hockey that isn't as popular, THEN you add the word: field hockey, floor hockey, roller hockey, road hockey, table hockey, air hockey, video hockey, etc.
Why are Americans so crazy about football (gridiron)? Why is the rest of the world so crazy about football (soccer)? Why are Canadians also crazy about curling and Canadian football? Why are Canadians also nuts about Tim Horton's?
2007-01-12 01:15:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hockey is our pasttime. Kids learn to skate from two years old in Canada.
We have 10 months of winter up north, and play hockey every day of it. In the summer months, we play road hockey!
Something like 80% of the NHL is Canadian born players.
With that in mind, the dream is for us Canadians to pursue a career in hockey. The dream is very much alive for all Canadians there.
Just like the Americans and their baseball, Canadians follow every play of every game, especially their home team. It is a hobby for us, a passion, and a life.
For many Canadians, talking about last night's game is the one thing that all Canadians have in common, no matter their background, gender, culture, etc.
Hope this helps...
2007-01-12 05:47:04 · answer #4 · answered by Brad NotPitt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it was discovered here in Canada. It is soooo popular here that here in my home towns there is about a 30 hockey teams including girls team. It has been a tradition for many generations. And b/c of NHL Many young boy's dreams it to play for the NHL and so more boys play and see if they have a chance to play in the Big Leagues like Sidney Crosby, Doug Gilmour and many other NHL'ers played in Canadian Minor and CHL and OHL hockey teams. That why Canada is so CRAZY about hockey. I used to play hockey as a center.
2007-01-12 06:57:36 · answer #5 · answered by xoxMeaghanoxo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is ingrained into the society. Kids grow up playing it, and everyone watches it.
You could ask the same question about football (not american) and say Brazil. It just is. It's THE sport in Canada, and Canada is the best at it in the world, so why wouldn't it be the most popular?
And for the record, places like montreal, toronto, vancouver aren't very cold, dumbasses. Toronto and Montreal are pretty much the same as North Eastern US cities (ex NY), and Vancouver is even warmer.
P.S if you want answers from Canadians and not just the ignorant, posting this when they are all sleeping is counter productive no?
2007-01-11 22:18:42 · answer #6 · answered by everyidistaken12 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well i'm canadian and i would have to say that we're crazy about hockey because we're good at it. Yeah sure we're not great but it's a major part of our society to have and enjoy hockey. And we get to have fun doing it and there is alot of area where we can and go skate. It's fun =D
2007-01-12 01:20:16 · answer #7 · answered by krazylittlepartygal 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a lot of ice in Canada,mates.I grew up in Winnipeg and any cheese head who's trying to tell you Montreal is not cold must be smokin' B.C.Bud.They have outdoor rinks all over the place, in every community all over the country.Winter lasts a long time, everybody skates,so it's natural that ice hockey would become a big sport,eh.
2007-01-12 00:22:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because Hockey made in Canada
2007-01-12 01:42:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question seems to pop up every now and then. I don't know whether to smrik and give an answer or just shrug it off as an annoyance. Why don't people ask Americans why they like Football so much? Or why don't more people ask why Brazilians like soccer so much?
So why do we like hockey so much? Because we do.
2007-01-12 13:18:58 · answer #10 · answered by SN 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋