Pros and Cons of a Pro Hockey Player

       What's up hockey fanatics? Today I will be posting about basic events a hockey player will have to pass while making it to the "big leagues". This transition will change from being "normal" to a fast and famous lifestyle. Even though there are many advantages to this career, many times, professional hockey players go through stages of stress and even depression. This blog will cover general pros and cons of a professional hockey player's career.

       Hockey players will have to make crucial decisions on and off the ice. Just like any other professional athlete, they are constantly being interviewed, reported and idolized by many around the world. Therefore, at every appearance they make, generally in public, they need to always be aware to not say anything that the media can use against them. But, if you're somebody who loves attention, boy will you get it!  Also, as many of you know, hockey is a dangerous sport because there is always hitting or "contact" and it can lead to minor brain injuries (concussions), broken bones and very rarely, death. Even though there are certain risks to your body, a pro player's salary can easily cover any medical care needed. Money and fame will become a big factor in your life and most people who go through this transition "change", it can be for the good or the worse. As you make millions of dollars throughout your entire career, others will notice a change in their personality. Some people are in dept or get in trouble by the police because they spend to much money or let the fame get to them. However, with all the money they get, many players, such as Jarome Iginla, donate or make their own charities for the less fortunate.


       Choosing to become a hockey player is a very good career however, to reach that goal, there are many obstacles that you will need to overcome. Would you like to live the life of a professional hockey player?

Who's Your Favorite Player?
Reply in the Comment Section! 

The Beginning of the Original Six and the NHL

The Original Six Jerseys & Arenas

     The National Hockey League was formed in 1917 in Montreal Quebec. Today there is 30 franchised teams, 7 located in Canada and 23 located in the United States. The first six teams that played in this league for 25 seasons were Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadians, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. (Wiki)

    The era of the Original Six lasted from 1942-1967. They were known as "The Original Six" because these clubs were the original six teams that molded the NHL to become what it is today.  During World War II, many hockey players in the league dropped out to be shipped away to fight against Hitler and to stop the genocide in Europe. During this time, many rookies got the chance to live their dream and to join part on a professional team. Years after the war in 1967, the league decided to add an addition of 6 more teams which doubled the size of the league. Gladly, this was the end of the Original Six era (more/new teams) and was also spectacular year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, it was also the beginning of a heartbroken curse. Although the Leafs won their 13th Stanley Cup that season, against the Montreal Canadians, this was their last playoff appearance till 2012. A "dry-streak", as I would call this, carried on for 45 years! I refer this to a curse and an embarrassment however; they still hold 2nd most Stanley Cups, and they're building new prospects of young athletes that will grow and become the next big team in a couple years. As they bring up players from their farm team, The Toronto Marlies, to play when players are injured or cannot make a game, Toronto is creating a strong fortification for years to come and giving these players the experience to play a game in the NHL.

     No matter what let down, true Leaf fans feel a passion that unites us all as one. The foundation of the NHL and the Original Six are two very important fragments that establish what hockey is today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hockey_League

Who's Your Favorite Hockey Team?Reply in the Comment Section! 

The Toronto Maple Leafs

 

     The Toronto Maple Leafs, the very team that I have been passionate for ever since I could walk. Becoming a Leafs enthusiast is almost like a tradition in my family, I was raised by my mother and father who are both Leaf's fans and my brother and sister also. When I was younger, me and my dad would watch nearly every game on the television in our basement cheering on our favorite players.

     The Toronto Maple Leafs seems to be more than just a team or a name to me, but my childhood heroes or idols. Even though I wasn't in any very competitive hockey league, I always dreamed of one day wearing a blue and white jersey and looking up to my fans. As a "House League Hero", I would always try to snatch my favorite player's numbers before anyone else could. One of my favorite players, when I was younger, was number 28, Tie Domi. My dad told me stories of when he was in high school and how he played against Domi in football games. As two high school students, my father never expected his opposing player to make it to the big leagues. As the Maple Leafs inspired me to love the game of hockey, I was also adapted to overcome all of the "bad talk" by many people who looked down on my favorite team. With 13 Stanley Cups under the Leaf's belt, they are ranked 2nd out of 30 teams, behind the Montreal Canadians, in the National Hockey League. [Wiki] Now if you ask me, that's not too shabby and I am proud to say that two Canadian teams lead the NHL with most Stanley Cups.

   
      I am inspired to write further blogs on the Toronto Maples Leafs because I feel I can return to the better days of my childhood and I can post facts on my favorite hockey team. I am very stoked to see how the Leafs will perform this season in the NHL.

Who's Your Favorite Hockey Team?
Reply in the Comment Section!