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April 19,2009

TRADITION: The NHL talks of tradition everytime it rejects a suggestion to improve the game. Yet, they have no trouble making changes to the game and breaking away from tradition when it suits them . This is proven by their doing away with the centre redline used for offside passes. The lines behind the net, to limit a goaltender's ability to move the puck and enter the play. Giving a penalty to a player who shoots the puck out of play deliberately to stop play. No defense change when the puck is iced. Adding an extra official to the game. Making helmets mandatory. Limiting goaltender equipment. Taking the names off the backs of officials so the fan can't always tell who's officiating. Goal reviews from television replays to determine a questionable goal and taking the officials call away.

Then there is the money making changes to the game that says tradition is not important such as: numerous sweater changes, ice advertisements, outdoor promotional games, more and more commercials to allow the league to get more revenue, not considering the television fan. 12 more games for each team to be played since the 70 game schedule. World stage involvement. Getting McDonald's involved with hockey cards to a point where kids are being charged 33 cents a card (Now that is really unfair).

The list continues to grow. So don't believe the league when the say 4-on-4 goes against the tradition of the game. A tradition they claim to be protecting. The fan needs 4-on-4 hockey for the entire game, just to keep them involved.

Lets face reality. The NHL has 30 teams and is not going to downsize by cutting back on teams. If one goes under they simply replace with another wannabee NHL owner. Therefore, the most cost efficient way to improve the NHL and make it more of an entertaining package is to introduce 4-on-4 hockey for the ENTIRE game.

This sight is my way of attempting to keep you updated as much as possible by a common folk fan. It is dedicated to my promotion of 4-on-4 hockey, which began long before the NHL introduced 4-on-4 hockey for overtime. Keeping in mind it's an idea I got from the last players strike. I had the pleasure of seeing NHL players playing a mini 4-on-4 tournament in Hamilton.

After years of boring hockey, I became convinced this was the way to go. Isn't it interesting to note: Wayne Gretzky was the organizer of this tournament, yet he opposes the idea of it being implemented for the entire game in the NHL, using TRADITION as his ONLY reasoning.

Now the league faces a lockout. It has come down to money. The Europeans call it the money league. For that I question their integrety. Hockey is a game that has to be played with y0ur heart. NHL players know how to skate, shoot and score. Thus, heart is the sole driving force that allows a player to excel. The league is boring today because players are like mechanical robots playing on an ice surface that has little room to display their true talents. Players who would be classified as superstars are really only stars of the game. The league is full of stars (dubbed that by the media and the promotion of the game). In the past the word "Superstar" meant talents such as Bobby Orr, Jean Beliveau, Bobby Hull, Tim Horton and Gordie Howe. They were players who had room on the ice and longer shifts in the game to display their talent and love for the game. They played for the love of the game and were proud of the team they played for. Their priority wasn't money. Yes, money played it's part, but not as prominent as it is today. They shared the joy of the team's success with the fans and the fans felt every bit of it. Today, to contribute in the team's success a player looks for the big contract. Every player wants their picture taken holding the cup over their heads, not to promote the game, but primarily to promote themselves. Today, the joy in winning has become a commercial event. Back then, every team had an ICON player (or Superstar). Today? Well! Name a superstar from Florida, Nashville, Pittsburgh (besides lemieux, who's on his way out), Los Angeles, Pheonix to name a few. Yes, there are stars, but will they make the hall of fame? Can you count on them to be with that franchise for a period of time?

The best way to get back to where we were and keep our talent is to reduce supply and demand. Introduce 4-on-4 hockey for the entire game and there will be more talent on each team and the stars who should be superstars will surface. The fans will again be entertained the way they had come acustom to in the past.

It's now January 2009 and the league still has not implemented 4-on-4 hockey for the entire game. When will they get the message? It's the only answer to getting a better financial control of the game itself! Owners owe it to their fan base to implement it.

Write me, only if you have something to say that leads me to believe you know something about the game. Your input is not really impairative. I don't make a dime from this site and it's not intended to. Those who know me, know you have to earn my respect. Once that is accomplished...my friendship is unlimited.

E-Mail: bgardner@cogeco.ca