How to Be a Hockey Fan

Hockey is one of the fastest, most popular sports in the world. Considered by some to be the European equivalent of America's love of baseball, hockey continues to gain popularity in North America. Whether you're fascinated by the fast skating, awed by the lightning-fast slap shots, or just like watching to see the bone-crunching crosschecks, here are some tips for being a great hockey fan.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Learn the rules. Hockey is a quickly changing and fast-paced game, and it can be nearly impossible to follow if you don't know what the rules entail, what players at various positions do, and what the regulation calls mean. Referee calls for icing and offside shots can be difficult to explain, especially if someone is trying to explain it to you while watching a game, so it will help you to understand the game better if you do your homework ahead of time. Knowing what's happening on the ice will help you appreciate the game as a whole.
2. Appreciate the history. Hockey is one of the oldest sports with roots in Canadian and Eskimo culture, and its history is full of legendary players and interesting facts. If you have a favorite team, learn about its former players, championship seasons and fan traditions. Knowing the history of the game and seeing how it has changed and evolved will help make the current game and your favorite teams all the more exciting.
3. Find out about traditions. Many teams, particularly the "Original Six" teams that comprised the original six teams of the National Hockey League, have traditions and customs that may seem strange to outsiders but are beloved and followed almost religiously by the team's fans. Whether it's ball caps in Pittsburgh, octopi in Detroit or white t-shirts for "white out night," participating in these storied traditions will make the game more fun.
4. Be loyal. Hockey has some of the most fiercely loyal and devoted fans in professional sports. Whether you choose a favorite team because they are the closest team to you geographically or because their roster includes one or two players that you find interesting, having a favorite team and remaining a loyal fan will help you appreciate the difficulty and unpredictability of the game. The seasons when your team struggles will be tough, but they will make the championship seasons that much more of a joy.
5. Respect other fans. Being loyal and being rude are two very different things. Friendly debate with fans of the opposing team is one thing, but being inappropriate or hostile is just unacceptable. Hockey fans have gotten a bad reputation in the past for being too confrontational and sometimes even violent; don't let your actions perpetuate this stereotype.
6. Go to a game! Chances are that even if you don't live in one of the states with a National League team, one of your local cities has a minor league team. These games are much more affordable than major league games and are just as much fast-paced fun. The only way to truly appreciate the game is to be a part of the excitement firsthand, so make it a point to go to a game and help cheer your team on in person.