The Ams, Hockey and Me

Greetings true believers.

First off, I want to congratulate the Tri-City Americans for winning the US division of the WHL. Seeing the various members of the Tri-City Ams front office, who we work with quite alot, exploding with glee was very nice to see. Their game on Saturday was thrilling....and I can't be happier for them.

Hockey....had never really lit my fire. I've tried mind you over the years, but I never could seem to get a fanaticism like I've had for say football or baseball. I did get into the Vancouver Canucks for a while. I was going to school in Seattle, and it just seemed natural to root for the team just up the road. And, they had the Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure. They made it to the Stanley Cup finals in the mid-90's, and lost to the New York Rangers.

I had always wanted an NHL team to come to Seattle. When they were giving francises to about everyone, (Columbus Ohio has a francise!) I thought that Seattle was destined to get a team. Especially when Key Arena was getting constructed I had to think we were a shoo-in.....but no. The owner of the Seattle Sonics, decided to limit the seating capacity in one area, so the arena couldn't hold enough fans for hockey for the NHL. So thanks Sonics....now you're leaving.....and we don't have the NHL either.

Alas, it was never meant to be. Hockey is also a game that translates well into games. Way back in the 70's, my family had a little hockey rink, about 3/4 foot by 1.5 foot.....and you used magnets to move them around. Great fun! But hockey got rolling when Electronic Arts got a hold of them. In the dawn of the next generation video game systems......Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo......video games were starting to figure out sports games.....and the first to be phenomenal was Hockey. The game was featured in the movie Swingers.....and continues to have an enduring footprint on the gaming world. EA has released a new version each year since 1991.

Lastly.....and of course, the Miracle on Ice. Much has been said about this watershed moment in American History.....but it's all true. To have been a part of the US Olympic Hockey team beating the Russians, then Finland for the Gold Medal.....it was just stunning. My folks thought I'd immediately follow NHL, but this was before ESPN, and it wasn't available in the Northwest. Think if the NHL was on an ESPN back then........it could have reeped the benefits of the Miracle on Ice, and never looked back.

I wish the Tri-City Americans all the luck as they hit the playoff road.....hopefully all the way to the Memorial Cup.


Jason