Lethbridge Hurricanes

Okay. So I am Canadian and female and I could tell you all the players who were chosen for the Olympic team.  It's just common knowledge.  So when I say that I'm not a big hockey fan, it's just that I don't have time to watch the games, not that I don't enjoy watching it.  Plus I would prefer to actually go and sit in the stands for the game instead of watching it at home. Yeah, I know, I know, it's probably easier to see, but it just doesn't feel right.  Sitting in the arena makes you feel like you are part of a team, with all of the other people sitting around you cheering or jeering for the home team.

I'll be honest, even though I am from Calgary, I don't cheer for the Flames.  I don't really cheer for any team.  I just enjoy watching.  And last night, I got the opportunity to go watch a Lethbridge Hurricane game live.  KA got us free tickets and we were sitting on the "Party Deck", which was kind of awkward because there really wasn't enough seats for everyone.  So after the first period, Dan and I said we were going to get hot dogs. Then left and found some seats in the second row to watch the rest of the game.  It was awesome.  I loved the atmosphere.  People were just chatting and you felt almost like you always belong even if you were a rodent in a cheese factory.  I think everyone should go to a live game at least once.  The last live game I went to was New Years of 2010, at the Saddledome for a Flames game.

The main reason behind this blog entry was because I was chatting about how many boys actually get accepted into the NHL or any major hockey league.  And it is slim.  And it usually depends on the Junior Hockey team that you get drafted to.  And the Hurricanes are not one of the highest teams.  It's sad to say that most of those boys on the ice last night wont make it any farther.  After 18 years of age you can begin to get drafted by NHL teams, and for those that don't can continue to play on the Juniors team.  The average age (approximately) to get drafted to the NHL is from 18-20.  For those boys still playing in Junior Hockey Leagues at at 21 or higher, and not on an amazing team either (*hint hint*) chances are probably not in your favour that you will ever play in the NHL.

Honestly I'm not trying to dishearten those who want to go into the NHL, I mean for most kids in Canada that is probably what everyone wants to do.  It's just, unless you are fantastic at the game, get drafted to a good junior team, and other factors, many wont get any farther then where they are now.  Just saying. Go to a University or College and get a scholarship to play. Why wouldn't you? I mean if its your dream to play in the NHL, but you are playing on a University team isn't that good enough?  To play the game you love?  I mean I love playing Volleyball, but I'm 5'3'' and have accepted that I will never be a professional beach volleyball player, so why can't these boys?

This blog probably wont make sense, but I'm not the best person to explain drafting in Hockey. Someone could probably do a way better job.  This isn't anything against the Hurricanes, nor am I trying to dishearten the young boys from joining them, I mean its fantastic that they play hockey and all of my children will probably be forced to play hockey when they are kids, its just they need to know their limit. And not pull a Valentines Day and believe in unrealistic expectations/dreams. But maybe that is just my opinion. I can't really be one to say how good someone needs to be to join the NHL, I am just basing this off of a conversation I had last night. Partly.