Hockey and Courage Go Together

Lately, certain people have been getting on my bad side with their weak hockey observations. Saying things like "Oh, it's an easy sport to play".

Or, "football is much more dangerous". Comments like this just really make me wonder what people are looking at when they watch a game of hockey. As a result, I'm making a list of reasons that explain why hockey is the most dangerous sport and takes the most courage to play.

1) If your head is down your body will be the same. Guys that are skating down the ice with their eyes on the puck, or admiring a pass they made, get a nice reminder of life in the NHL. A bone crunching hit that can lead to an easy concussion. It's not like basketball where the guy can just stand there with the ball because nobody can touch him. You get laid out in hockey if you try that.

2) Football hitting is rough, but hockey hitting is just as hard to handle (if not harder). More speed and momentum is coming at you. If you're in between a defender and the boards, I guess you can say you're in between a rock and a hard place. Also, the NHL is 82 games long, not 16. More injuries can occur.

3) I'll always have great respect for shot blockers. How they can dive in front of pucks going as quick as 100 km/h, I don't know. Especially if there's not visor to protect at least half of their face. Nothing but bravery and the will to win.

4) One of your player's just got cut open? No problem. They go, get stitched up, and return to the ice a shift or two later. When this occurs in baseball, the player misses at least a month of action. The only thing that'll stop NHL players from playing is a serious body injury.

5) Flying sticks and skates can end a career. Richard Zednik nearly lost his life after a teammate's skate struck his neck. Ryan Hollweg got crosschecked right in the face, full force. Hollweg is a tough guy and still playing. Meanwhile, Zednik will be returning this season and if you don't admire that, then I don't know what to say.

6) Got a score to settle? Go right ahead. Hockey is the only sport where two guys can square off and throw some shots at each other. Whoever said fighting doesn't solve anything obviously wasn't watching hockey. Without fights, star players would get crunched left and right.

7) When a player goes into the boards to grab a loose puck the conclusion can be frightening. Your back is turned to the opposing defender and you could get face planted right into the glass. Patrice Bergeron missed all of last season because of a hit on him like this.

8) Contrary to some beliefs out there, goalies do more than just stand in the net. Sure, they have a lot of equipment supporting them. However, when a player drives to the net and crashes into him, their helmet can easily fly off. You hit your head on the ice or one of the posts, you can miss some time undoubtedly.

9) Knee injuries have ended some of the finest hockey careers. Cheap shot artists love to stick out their knee and clip an enemy. Also, if you slip and slide towards the boards, you can be in a lot of trouble. Your knee can get caught in an awkward position, and the season may be done for you. Just another way hockey players can get injured easily.

10) The game is 60 minutes long. Meaning, the clock doesn't keep rolling if there's a whistle. NHL players are on the ice every minute of the game and that allows plenty of time for someone to get hit with a cheap shot or knocked out.

These are just some of the reasons why hockey is the bravest sport to play. I could go on, but I wouldn't want to bore you with too long of a list. Simply put—hockey players are warriors. At least that's how I feel about it.

Not enough credit goes to the sport's heroic players and that's what kills me. Clearly, hockey and courage are a package deal.