Opinion: NHL underrated by sports fans

April 22, 2009
By Michael Omenazu
Sports Writer

Photo provided by Google images Sidney Crosby is one of todays young stars in the NHL.

Quick, name three franchises in the National Hockey League! While you may be able to spew out the Detroit Red Wings, a staple of sustained success along with your hometown team, the third may not be as easy to recall.

Many can recognize the combination of royal purple and gold as representative of the Los Angeles Lakers, remember great moments in New York Yankee postseason history or reel off epic clashes in the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers rivalry. Although the NHL doesn’t enjoy the same amount support of the other sports leagues it does share similar features that make them successful.

Star Power

With well-known players like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade and up and coming stars like Chris Paul and Derrick Rose the NBA’s future shines bright, appropriately reflective of their superstars.

Perhaps, most notable is Lebron James, both a perennial title contender and candidate for the game’s best player.  His freakish physique affords him the capability to be versatile, consistently filling up the stat sheet in various categories.

While his leaping ability allows him to jump over defenders for thunderous dunks it is his charismatic personality that assists in him transcending the sport, penetrating into mainstream popular culture. His ad campaigns may be equally as memorable as the ones for a championship, thus connecting the public with both the player and an independent persona.

The NHL also has young stars like Alex Ovechkin a scoring sensation, along with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who both play on the same team (Pittsburgh Penguins) and have already been to a Stanley Cup Final. The only thing the league may be lacking in this facet is effective PR promotion. 

Rivalry

Sports are impressive as they showcase individuals and teams competing at the highest levels of operation. These performances are raised in rivalries, a long history of intense competitions usually between two well established entities.

The MLB has the Red Sox and Yankees, NBA Lakers and Celtics and the NFL has the Packers and Bears, all featuring battles between classic sports teams and once again the NHL is no different as the league started out with only six teams: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Throughout the years, each team has played each other numerously. New rivalries are currently being created as well.

Social Significance

Another major factor essential to the development of a sport is its ability to connect with its viewing public on a level deeper than pure entertainment. Sports serve as an outlet or alternative existence for many, allowing them to escape the harsh realities of daily life. Fans idolize athletes, and their sports escapades serve as symbolic representations of the conflict and battles they face internally.

The NBA proves even the little guy can stand tall among the big, the NFL demonstrates any body can come from anywhere to do anything and the MLB reminds us that the underdog always has a chance.
In 2001, the United States suffered a terrorist attack on both the World Trade Center and on its own integrity. However, the nation was able to unite, using baseball and the Yankees post-season efforts as its cause for rallying together.

It is unnecessary for some tragic event to occur to generate support for hockey. However, sports are expressive displays of athletic ability that effectively combine strategic know-how and physical skill to paint a picture of overcoming opposition, a theme everyone has experienced. Hockey needs to communicate this to larger audiences, to generate an increase in fans able to relate to the game.

Although, the National Hockey League has gone through recent struggles while other sports have enjoyed booming success, it is still a league rich in tradition and full of star power. Like many things the NHL will continue develop, adding to its historic legacy.