Welcome to the Off-Season, Die Hards
Monday June 16, 2008 @ 12:09 PM EDT
Cricket, cricket – tumble weed rolls by . . .
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That is the sound of the off-season, the time of year that weeds out the hardcore fans from the masses the way a playoff loss weeds out the bandwagoners.
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So if you’re reading this blog – Congratulations! You are on of the elite few who care enough to pay attention to hockey even though it is June, all the awards have been given away, most of the major retirements announced – free agency and the draft just future glimmers in the eyes of thirsty fans.
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This begs the question – What does a hockey fan do with all this time and no hockey with which to fill it?
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No so fast, young padwan, you fill it with – hockey! The NHL may not be playing but that doesn’t mean there is no hockey to be had. Summer is prime time for roller hockey leagues, summer leagues and hockey camps – for those intrepid enough to play.
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For the spectator there are books and films: Slap Shot, The Mighty Ducks, Les Boys . . . The Game, Hockey: A People’s History . . . The list goes on and on. Plus, since the advent of Hulu.com you can go back a relive the best games of the regular season and playoffs. Desperate for some nail-biting action? You can relive the Stanley Cup Finals – Game 5 whenever you want, and smile at the cajones of Sykora calling his game winning OT goal!
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Then of course, there are all the trade/draft/free agency rumors to sift through and discuss on the message boards of your favorite team and here on NHL Connect. That could probably fill all of your time if your team has a lot of free agents and/or is in serious re-building mode.
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Of course you could also spend your off-season pursuing the sport many of the players are – golf.
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Personally, I will stick to tennis – and I hear there are some NHLers who are with me on this. Wimbledon starts in about a week, so if golf doesn’t do it for you – tennis is probably the best summer sport on grass.
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So, how will you fill your off-season time fellow fans?
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Commentsashleyclimber
Jul 03, 2008
off season activities
thankfully, my two obsessions (besides hockey) are now in season here. rock climbing season never really ends for me, but now i have more willing partners. i’ve been on one trip so far, i’ll be blogging that whole fun story soon. my other obsession, fishing, is also in season. so far it’s been pretty good, a few 12 inch bass, one 15 inch bass.
BearsFan17
Jun 23, 2008
360 FTW
Plan on playing NHL 08 and then 09 in Sept. I’m getting a new game for my 360 so I’ll own that all summer and chill. Also, I plan on checking NHL.com ‘n’ the Caps site every day for trades signings etc…
PittPenFan
Jun 21, 2008
SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER
i’ll play one or two seasons of NHL 2k7 (i’m still waiting for my xbox 360
) i’ll go to the movies, you know indiana jones, hulk, batman et all, and of curse i’ll be checking my fan page!! greetings from mexico, erick
jessybird85
Jun 20, 2008
You can always...
go on YouTube & watch videos of hockey. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been watching a bunch of the old Shark Bytes on You Tube. They’re pretty funny. I’m also swimming & getting back in shape for the fall. I’ll be in Phoenix for the start of hockey season & I’m gonna try to make the opening Coyotes game again this year. (It may not be the Sharks, but it’s still hockey). I intend on making all four of the Sharks @ Coyotes games this year also.
Cuddlebear
Jun 18, 2008
We have an active off-season planned...
First we we be adding a Sun Room to the house. A nephew, my sister’s son(she passed away about 10 months ago) will be visiting this summer and looking for a possible college. We are also trying to get a neice (again my sister’s) and her child to come and stay with us for while. I plan on getting more fishing in this year and I’m pursuing a passion of my youth cycling.
As for sports we will be followng the MLL as ESPN and local networks allow and the CFL again as TV allows. We will take in a few ball games and wait for the begining of College Football and then the NHL.
Currently I am reading Obama’s book, for the up comming election (I consider myself pretty familiar with the works and stances of McCain, and yes I have read several of his books in the past). After that I am looking forward to reading some Father’s day gifts about hockey: Brodeur Beyond the Crease and The Code by Ross Bernstein. Any one looking for a good read I would suggest Between the Lines by Ray Scapinello, Walking with Legends by Ralph Mellanby and Thunder and Lightning by Phil Esposito (Tony’s brother).
ecparke
Jun 17, 2008
Reading
Reading, blogging, surfing and working on my new project www.hockeygametime.com which is coming soon. Also testing out new equipment…for any players out there, the new NikeBauer line is SICK. Still not a fan of the gloves, but the one95s are absurdly amazing.
speedskater55
Jun 17, 2008
OH MY....
I won’t be able to pass the time… this is crazy. For now, I’ve been working crazy shifts… and in July I plan to be a Bolt girl for a Junior hockey team by me.. which should be interesting… and then I’m going to Chicago for vacation…and after that I don’t know what I’m going to do.
glasgowflyers
Jun 17, 2008
I
miss ice hockey so much, I spent most of my holiday last week playing NHL 2K8 on the ps3 with friends, then went to alexandra palace (home to the Harengay Greyhounds) and played some hockey there to pass the time….. roll on the new season.
JCnHouston
Jun 17, 2008
good blog!...
Hockey related I plan on enjoying my league and also I hope to get my son (5 year old) on the ice for the first time!
Non-hockey: school, work, taxes, death (not exactly)
I plan on boating, running (gotta trim up!), going on mini-vacations with the family, laughing with friends, etc.
I might take up the hobby of screen printing T-shirts. If I do, I will have some cool hockey shirts for sure!
I might try home brewing beer (hence the need to run/work-out)
xfire_lady
Jun 17, 2008
Well...
…so much for a lazy, relaxing summer… and being sad about not having hockey to watch! Looks like my work is going to keep me pretty busy, along with house chores! Hopefully, though, I will find time to take nice, long drives in my xfire up in the mountains.. with a certain special someone! How many days until October??