How to Deal With NHL Season Withdrawal

While acknowledged as having the smallest fanbase of the 4 "major" sports, hockey fans are among the most devoted. Followers of the NHL hockey season ride the roller coaster ride of the NHL season right through the Stanley Cup playoffs where games are frequently decided by a late goal or during overtime, making for some of the most nerve-wracking moments in pro sports. It also subjects NHL fans to serious NHL season withdrawal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Check out the awards. The NHL is the only professional league that has a televised awards show. With trophies such as the Hart Trophy which is awarded to the league MVP, the Selke Trophy which goes to the top defenseman and the Lady Byng, awarded for sportsmanship, the NHL provides an annual extravaganza of an awards show that is televised live on Versus and in Canada on CBC. It's a great capper to ease you into the dreaded NHL off season.
2. Draft your way along. Just like in the NBA and the NFL, the NHL holds an annual entry draft for prospective players. Unlike the other leagues however, the players are younger and can come from anywhere in the U.S., Canada and frequently, Europe. Players from junior leagues to U.S. colleges are eligible for the NHL Draft. Getting the scoop on the best players is easier than ever through the NHL's official website.
3. Follow the juniors. Junior hockey is literally the feeder system for the NHL. Restricted to players ages 16 to 18, junior hockey leagues have blossomed across the U.S. and Canada and provide a glimpse into the NHL's future. Find more information about the junior leagues and a team near you by checking out the website Rauzulu's Street.
4. Cross over. NHL fans looking to supplement their hockey addition have found lacrosse to be a great alternative. A rugged, man-to-man game with rules similar to hockey, lacrosse can be played indoors or outdoors and bears a striking resemblance to hockey in terms of rules and pace of play. A good place to start is at e-lacrosse, an electronic webzine dedicated to the game of lacrosse.
5. Get rollin' to the street outside. Strap on a pair of inline skates and hit the street. Hockey does not have to be limited to the ice or the winter months. With a few friends you can set up a street rink with a couple of nets and some serious attitude. You can set up your own rules or follow the official rules of Major League Roller Hockey.
6. Renew old acquaintances. This is a bit drastic but another option to surviving NHL season withdrawal is to rediscover those people who share your living space: family. Since the off-season in the NHL really extends only from mid-June to late September, it is a small window of time that would require your attention away from the ice. A couple of family outings and the next thing you know, it's hockey season again.