Often I use sports as an escape from reality. Little bit of enjoyment after work, or an excuse to crash on the couch all day Sunday and watch football.
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| Russian Hockey Team consumed in Tragedy |
But too often the world of sports reminds us of the worst of reality. Drugs and steroid scandals. Arrests. Domestic violence. Labor strikes. Sexual harassment cases. The need for taxes to build new stadiums. Bar fights.
As a hockey fan, I'll admit, one of the best things is that most people aren't a hockey fan. Especially in California. When you meet another hockey fan you immediately have something unique to talk about. A way to be different.
Being a hockey fan is like being the fan of a baseball team that always losses. You're an underdog, and you're a die hard fan since you stay loyal despite always being outnumbered. It's easy being a Yankees or Lakers' fan.
You can't swing a dead cat over your head without hitting a football or basketball fan. They're everywhere. They're not special.
But, this off season has been a horrible one for the NHL and its families. Probably most of the world doesn't know, or remember what happened two weeks later. During the summer, there was a drug overdose (drugs mixed with alcohol), and two suicides. All three were enforcer types. What some might call goons.
The problem is, these enforcers, who are sent out to protect their scorers and intimidate the other teams scorers often have difficulty with the role they are cast. When needed, they drop the gloves and battle each other. It's an important part of hockey, but it has a price.
Often nice, small town, farm kids, they have to act the brute to remain in the league. Can't be a scorer? Can't be a goalie? Then you need to be an enforcer. Some have trouble with this role.
