Hockey Goalie Mask

Reasons Why Hockey is not that Well-Liked

For years hockey in the United States was the fourth major sports behind baseball, football and basketball. At present, some say it has been surpassed by nascar, ufc and also the world poker tour. There are plenty of explanations for this. I would recommend purchase this wonderful Rangers Tickets for you to see.

Hockey is definitely the most steeply-priced sport to play which are it hard for lots of working families to purchase the tools for their children. It is actually much cheaper for mothers and fathers to invest in a basketball, football or soccer ball and it's less difficult for children to go to school lawn and play. Skates, sticks, gloves, helmets and padding will cost hundreds of dollars and before you purchase just one piece of hockey gear, it's a must to know how to ice skate and ice time isn't cheap as well. Participating in the other sports is more convenient, simpler and less costly for parents and kids.

Another reason for hockey's lack of popularity in United states is that it can be difficult to follow on television. Someone who has enjoyed hockey for several years doesn't have problem following the puck however a newbie hockey viewer may not be able to follow. The game is to and fro and the play shifts at a quick pace. It's understandable for someone to have trouble following the action. Normally it takes years for someone to really watch a game and follow everything that occurs. Football has a play then a 40 second pause until the next play. Baseball pitchers throw the ball, a play happens and again there is a pause before the next pitch is thrown. Basketball and soccer have back and forth action but much slower as compared to hockey. Most people agree with the fact, watching a hockey game personally is much better than watching on television. The National Hockey League has tested out many different ways to raise the television viewer's experience. We all remember Fox's glowing puck in the 90's and the little cameras on the goalie masks. The National Hockey League will still try some other gimmicks to lure non-hockey fans to watch and to obtain this cost-effective Ranger Tickets.

The greatest explanation for the lack of interest is the physical violence. Hockey is the only sport were fighting is tolerated. You get punished yet you sit for just 5 minutes and then you are allowed back on the ice. Many individuals are deterred at this and will not pay any particular attention to this violent sport. Hockey will never outlaw fighting therefore it is kind of a catch-22.

I can not see hockey surpassing baseball, football or basketball in this country yet it is an amazing game played by awesome sportsmen. The hard nature of the sport is sewn in to the history of the game and people have to accept that. It probably will not and that is alright since hockey fans are the most passionate of any sport and we really like our game no matter what.

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Goalie Alex Auld

Alex Auld was drafted by the Florida Panthers 40th overall in the second round of the 1999 NHL entry draft. Auld ended up playing four seasons with the North Bay Centennials from 1997-1998 to 2000-2001. After Auld's appearance in the 2001 World Juniors as a backup, he was traded from the Panthers to the Canucks for a third round pick in 2002 and a first round pick in 2001.

In 2001-2002 Auld played in the AHL for the Manitoba Moose, the Vancouver Canuck's affiliate team. For the next several years Auld found himself playing backup for the Canaucks and playing for the Manitoba Moose, splitting the seasons between the two from 01-02 up until 03-04. Auld spent the NHL lockout playing for the Moose and the season after in 05-06 Auld was made the Canucks' number one after Dan Cloutier was injured and opted for surgery. Auld filled in for Cloutier very nicely winning the Canucks; MVP award that season as the Canucks just barely missed the playoffs.

In the off-season of 2006 Auld was involved in the Luongo deal that saw Luongo come to Vancouver and Auld head back to the team that initially drafted him, the Florida Panthers. In Florida Auld's number one job was taken away by Ed Belfour. In the off-season of 2007 Auld signed a one year contract with Phoenix where Auld ran into more competition for the number one spot with his new team in the form of Aebischer and Bryzgalov. With no place for Auld in Phoenix he was traded to the Boston Bruins and backed up Tim "The Toolman" Thomas the 2007-2008 season.

In the off-season of 2008 Auld signed a two year two million dollar deal with the Ottawa Senators. He was expected to backup Gerber but ended up beating Gerber out to assume the number one spot in O-Town. When Gerber was put on waivers it was up to Auld and Brian Elliott to split the duties for the rest of the season. During the 2009 off-season Ottawa traded Auld to Dallas for a sixth round pick after acquiring Pascal Leclaire from Columbus. Late last season Auld was claimed off waivers again by the New York Rangers where he would play only 3 games. Finally This past off-season Auld signed a one year deal with Montreal worth one million.

Journeyman Alex Auld takes up lots of net with his big six foot three frame. He presents fine positioning in net but when it comes down to it he is an average tender. Auld's size and butterfly style mirrors Price's. One of the reasons he was brought to the Montreal Canadiens was to mentor Price and help him through his development process.

In October of 2006 Auld and Belfour were supposedly "horsing around" when Auld was sent to the hospital. It was suspected that Belfour had assaulted the goalie competing for his job. Auld's wife , Melanie Auld, is a celebrity handbag and jewelry designer. Alex Auld is often associated with the saying "He's big, he's bald, he's Alex Auld", which was thought of by hockey analysist Darren Pang.

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