Criteria: include supportive 

facts/hard data, examples and critical analysis when presenting your

ideas, and try to introduce new concepts and provoke responses (on every post, including
counter-posts). Don't only focus on the NHL and remember to always be civil to one
another.

1) Hockey is Canada’s game. Canada is one of 2 countries in the World that considers hockey a
national sport. Ice hockey was declared the national winter sport of Canada in 1994 for
having a long history in the country. The game of Hockey unites all Canadians, whether you
are in Canada or in any country around the world. It is in all of our blood, our culture, our
socio-economic lines. Its how we spend our early mornings, our evenings, our weekends. We
spend our Saturdays sitting around a TV watching games at 3 different times on more then
one channel with Canadian NHL teams and players represent a full country. Hockey brings
out community, competitiveness, chirps between family members with different opinions on
#1 teams, and it brings an entire country together with one passion. Canadians would rather
spend their free time in cold Canadian winters freezing their butts off in an arena watching
people on skates chase around a small black puck with sticks then go to somewhere hotter
on a beach.

The concept of hockey dates back to the United Kingdom and Indigenous games that vary from stick ball
games. Ice hockey was adapted from that in Montreal, Quebec by settlers in the 1800s and the first
games were played on outdoor rinks. About 100 years later, the NHL started and has grown to another
country. Within the NHL itself there are so many Canadian born players who have mad such an impact
on all future players, both male and female, for generations to come.Bottom of Form

Comment for Alison:

 2) Hockey is viewed not only as a Canadian game, but as ‘The Canadian Game’.  If you were to
ask someone from anywhere in the world what Canada’s game is, the vast majority would
say hockey.

A Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia named J.G. Creighton created the first set of hockey rules. Canada
had the first organized hockey league and just 25 years ago, 70% of all NHL players were Canadian.
Additionally, some of the greatest players of all time are from Canada such as Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe,
Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky, as well as the current generation of stars such as Conner McDavid and
Nathan MacKinnon.

We are home to the Hockey Hall of Fame which brings the history of hockey to life for fans to experience.
It does a wonderful job of paying homage to the very historic past of the game and promotes the
present stage. The love and dedication to the game in Canada is like no other, the Toronto Maple Leafs
being a prime example. They hadn’t made it past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 19 years,
but in April they made it to round two and the streets of Toronto were closed due to fans celebrating.
Whether you play hockey or not, if you grew up in Canada, you are sure to be a hockey fan.

Hockey continues to grow and expand worldwide for both men and women but will always be known as
‘Canada’s Game’.

Comment for Nicole: