Monday, October 08, 2007
Hockey in Popular Culture
Over the past week the National Hockey League began its regular season and I find absolutely amazing as to how much people have waited for the season so begin. Even though hockey has roots in Canada that date back several decades, hockey, today, is extremely involved in the public eye in Canada.
The reason why I think hockey is popular culture is because it only seems to exhibit this much media coverage and publicity in Canada, with comparisons being made the USA. Yes, the USA broadcasts hockey but the passion that is visible in Canadian hockey markets is absolutely everywhere. Everywhere you go in Canada you will find someone who has played hockey.
Why I find it remarkable is that popular culture in the form of hockey is evident. For those who play hockey they want to have the style of play, the look and the admiration from followers just like superstar hockey players such Sidney Crosby. These players will wear a visor to protect their eyes and face because the best players are now wearing them. This is very evident as several years ago the visor was not a popular item to wear and people who just looked up to professionals did not wear them either.
Also, as in most sports, the fashion statement of wearing a jersey is extremely popular. In Toronto, you will find a mix of several sports jerseys but the day of Toronto Maple Leaf game you can spot that blue and white sweater everywhere you look. In fact, seeing that jersey, even if there is not a hockey game that day, sparks something inside of everyone that makes you feel proud to know that you cheer for that hockey team. For example, I was travelling in Greece 5 years ago and I saw a young boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old, wearing a Toronto Maple Leaf t-shirt. I was so proud to see that and I actually went up to him and talked to him just because of that shirt.
Hockey is part of our popular culture in Canada and is something that is embedded in all of us. Many of us say that we do not like the sport or, for that matter, even hate the sport of hockey. However, being able to see our hockey team in Toronto, the Maple Leafs, succeed is something we all hope and wish for. This is why, hockey in Toronto and Canada, is part of our popular culture because it is everywhere you look.
The reason why I think hockey is popular culture is because it only seems to exhibit this much media coverage and publicity in Canada, with comparisons being made the USA. Yes, the USA broadcasts hockey but the passion that is visible in Canadian hockey markets is absolutely everywhere. Everywhere you go in Canada you will find someone who has played hockey.
Why I find it remarkable is that popular culture in the form of hockey is evident. For those who play hockey they want to have the style of play, the look and the admiration from followers just like superstar hockey players such Sidney Crosby. These players will wear a visor to protect their eyes and face because the best players are now wearing them. This is very evident as several years ago the visor was not a popular item to wear and people who just looked up to professionals did not wear them either.
Also, as in most sports, the fashion statement of wearing a jersey is extremely popular. In Toronto, you will find a mix of several sports jerseys but the day of Toronto Maple Leaf game you can spot that blue and white sweater everywhere you look. In fact, seeing that jersey, even if there is not a hockey game that day, sparks something inside of everyone that makes you feel proud to know that you cheer for that hockey team. For example, I was travelling in Greece 5 years ago and I saw a young boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old, wearing a Toronto Maple Leaf t-shirt. I was so proud to see that and I actually went up to him and talked to him just because of that shirt.
Hockey is part of our popular culture in Canada and is something that is embedded in all of us. Many of us say that we do not like the sport or, for that matter, even hate the sport of hockey. However, being able to see our hockey team in Toronto, the Maple Leafs, succeed is something we all hope and wish for. This is why, hockey in Toronto and Canada, is part of our popular culture because it is everywhere you look.
# posted by Theodore Lampropoulos @ 3:35 PM 
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I read your blog about hockey as a form of culture in Canada and enjoyed it a lot. you were talking about identifying with a kid in Greece, because he had a Leafs jersey on. But its more the just identifying, there's also the idea of opposition. I am (in Toronto) a dreaded Ottawa Senator's fan and as such I look forward to every beating we hand Toronto in the battle of Ontario. As much as you spoke about being proud you cheer for the team as other people wearing the white and blue jersey; I revel in the fact that I cheer for the "other" team, the "winning" team, the "good" team. In being a fan of professional sports, one has the opportunity to feel they are part of a team - not always the one representing the city in which they live. I feel that as we discussed the choices involved in shopping; there is a somewhat similar pattern in picking which team represents the qualities someone desires. Furthermore i see this "freedom" of choice as strengthening the inital statement that hockey is a form of culture, which is highlighted in Canada.
I also enjoyed your blog about hockey. I just had some quick musings about labelling sports clothing as a "fashion" statement. I dont think that hockey jerseys and sportsware are particularly complementary or attractive, or considered by anyone in the world of design and runway culture to be "fashionable". I think they have a different meaning, as indicated by crow-eagle. You dont go out wearing a hockey jersey and feel good because you look sharp; You look like you're wearing a bag. Its the meanings associated with your jersey - the team that you identify with may speak to where you're from, your childhood experiences, your family connections - that make your outfit.
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