Where did your interest in Ice Hockey come from?

Doctor Zaius

This is aimed more at the Irish followers of ice hockey but feel free to share if you're Canadian, American, Russian, Swedish etc.

For me it was the Playstation 1 game NHL2000 that really got me into it. I remember playing a very old hockey game on my friends Commodore64 and I thought I'd give it a try and I loved it. I was nearly always the Bruins. I picked them cos Boston is the Irish town, great logic I know and I've stuck with them since. I did also play as the Dallas Stars every once in awhile, they had a great team then - Brett Hull, Mike Modano.
Lost interest for a few years then I started going out with a Canadian girl and got back into it and even though we broke up, I'm still loving the hockey.

ak27

I went on a student exchange to a university in Newfoundland in 2007 which is where I got my interest in the NHL from. I ended up supporting the Montreal Canadiens since they're one of the biggest supported NHL teams in the province and a newfie (Michael Ryder) was playing with them at the time.

cena

the mighty ducks flim when it first came out and i'v been supporting the ducks since

Doctor Zaius

AK27 - Where you at MUN by any chance? The ex is actually from St.John's, used hang around the campus during my visits. St.John's is a cool town. Anyway Michael Ryder is actually a Bruin these days. Not too many Newfies in NHL, Cleary at Detroit and Ryan Clowe at the Sharks are the only others I can think of off hand.

watching Bruins Hurricanes at the moment. Bruins all over them 3-0 after the 1st period.

Shanannigan

I went out with a girl from Quebec City, she got me hooked on it a few years back, been following it since, if the franchise hadn't moved to colorado i'd be a Québec Nordiques fan, but nowadays the nearest hockey team to Quebec city is habs, so i got into the canadiens (bring on number 25), though i still check on avs now and then.

forzacalcio

Was in the US (Philly) during the 1994 World Cup, the season was over but with the World Cup on I was trading football stories with people and their hockey stories. Eric Lindros was the king of the Flyers back then but I never really clicked with them. Used to love the LA Kings/ Canadiens and the Avalanche. I suppose I dont really have a favourite its Montreal and Colorado for me. Lost interest over the years but with ESPN showing 1,000 games a season I have no excuse

By the way played NHL 09 last night, not a patch on NHL 94! That was one of the greatest games of all time!

allonboard

NHL 2004 by EA for the PC is what got me interested. And all ice hockey games I've played since have been excellent. Probably one of the best ganes I played is NHL 2K8. I follow new jersey now!

ak27

Doctor Zaius wrote: »

AK27 - Where you at MUN by any chance? The ex is actually from St.John's, used hang around the campus during my visits. St.John's is a cool town. Anyway Michael Ryder is actually a Bruin these days. Not too many Newfies in NHL, Cleary at Detroit and Ryan Clowe at the Sharks are the only others I can think of off hand.

watching Bruins Hurricanes at the moment. Bruins all over them 3-0 after the 1st period.

Yeah, I was at MUN for the semester. The Sabres have a newfie as well, Luke Adam is his name. The Sabres drafted him in '08 and he's played a few games for them this season.

Ping Chow Chi

mate dragged us to a Nottingham Panthers match after a Forest game a few years back.

I seem to have drifted over to Ice Hockey from there. Me and the girlfriend have brought season tickets for next year and have playoff tickets for this weekend

Been to see the panthers play in Scotland and Belfast, and hope to get to see a NHL match sometime!

....Lets go Panthers!

Uriel.

I have been into ice hockey for as long as I can remember. I remember having one of the NHL games for the Mega Drive. Think it was NHL 95 or something. I was around 12 at the time. Was big into it back then.

I drifted for a few years though and it is only in the last 5 years that I have really rediscovered the magic so to speak. My team is the San Jose Sharks. And ESPN America has been a God send since I got it last August. I watch a lot of games (Mostly recorded or the weekend games). I am huge baseball fan also so get to watch a lot of that too.

Went to my first NHL game about 6 weeks ago. Columbus Blue Jackets @ Dallas Stars. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The game wasn't one of the better ones but the experience of an NHL game was amazing. Pity the home team lost (Stars) cos it sucked a lot of atmosphere out of the game.

I got it from watching Hockey on TV , the closest thing i could find here at the time was hurling . I was pretty successful at it and won a couple of medals but the managers didnt like me because i played the sliotar on the ground just like hockey, but they still played me because i scored alot of goals. Still love the game though and contemplated playing , but i cannot skate for the life of me .

Dunnzer

I got my interest from nhl 2002 and nhl 2003 on ps2. I loved those games. Great commentary(well funny anyway). I used to always play as the Dallas Stars. I lost interest for a couple of years before picking it up again when my brother moved to Boston. Got NHL 10 and then NHL 11 and became a follower of the Bruins. I love coming home from school and watching the highlights of their games! I just hope they get payback on the Flyers for last years playoffs

forzacalcio

Seems the Megadrive and Playstation is the reason for many of us getting the Hockey fever. Had a few people over on Saturday night for some beers and the NHL was on, they definately enjoyed it. The sport could really take off in this country if given half the chance! Why we dont have an ice rink south of Belfast Ill never know.

Dunnzer

Ya I really can't understand why there isn't more of an interest or appeal for a permanent ice rink south of Belfast. I mean every year at Christmas the ice rinks that are made sell tickets crazy quick. I've even made a couple of my friends get into ice hockey by making them download the demos for the games when they come on the playstation store and microsoft store

MrJoeSoap

A holiday to Calgary and Edmonton in 1998 did it for me. There was a sports store in the local shopping "mall" that sold hockey cards for next to nothing, and by the time I got back to Ireland I had hundreds, and a Pat LaFontaine Buffalo Sabres jersey from the trip also. Still have them all.

Pisco Sour

When I was a kid I had NHLPA Hockey 93 for the SNES. Adored the game and played a lot with the San Jose Sharks. It was always a sport I meant to get into but never made the effort. Then in 2006 before going on my J1 to Hawaii I decided to make a proper effort of getting into it (as it appealed to me much more than NFL, NBA and MLB). I followed San Jose, for no real reason, but for the fact I played with them a bit in the video game as a kid.

I have been passionate about the sport ever since, and this is my 6th year watching the Stanley Cup. Over time I have got to know my many cousins in Buffalo, and been to the city 3 times now, and know so many people there, so naturally I couldn't help drifting towards the Sabres. I didn't mean to abandon the Sharks (who I got really into from 2006-2008) but I just felt that I had a legitimate reason for supporting Buffalo and I love the city and the people there.

On one of my trips to Buffalo, my uncle took me to see a friend of his. Who was this friend? The legendary SCOTTY BOWMAN, the greatest NHL coach of all time, winner of 9 Stanley Cups, with Montreal, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Scotty showed me around the downstairs of his house where he had an astonishing amount of hockey memorabilia (Gretzky jersey, Yzerman jersey's etc etc etc), and he gave me complimentary passes to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Even now, a few years later, my uncle says that he still goes on about that Irish guy who knows so much about hockey He seemed genuinely surprised that I knew so much about the history of the game.

I am in Melbourne at the moment which isn't ideal for watching the cup and I usually only see games live at the weekend, so I haven't followed it as closely as I have when at home. Most games I've had to watch online. ESPN America doesn't exist down here, so Fox Sports show the cup and they only show limited amount of games (though all the conference final and stanley cup final games). I have missed all 4 stanley cup final games so far (due to work), but I am very excited about seeing Game 5 at 10am saturday morning. Game 6 will be another missed game as again I'll be in work, but IF it goes to 7, then I am taking the day off for it. No way can I miss it.

All the games shown down here are Versus and NBC coverage. I miss CBC Hockey Night in Canada and Don Cherry. Watched it religiously every night back in Ireland on ESPN America. Best coverage by far.

Sea Devils

I was never much of a fan up until this years Stanley Cup which I think has made me appreciate the Sport even more. The speed and skill of the players has just made me become fascinated by it.

Have some friends in San Jose so may just have to follow the Sharks from now on:pac:

Dermo

Spent a couple of summers in Montreal, still have loads of friends there. Fell in love with the city, supported the Habs ever since

killwill

My missus is Canadian. Her Dad is a huge hockey fan and was a great player back in his day, 78 now, but could still kick my ass!!!
Anyway I started to watch it so I would have something in common to break the ice whenever we head over to visit.
Hooked ever since. Even have my Vancouver Canucks App on my phone!!!!!

Sundy

Cousins live in Vancouver. Im lucky enough to have been to a good few Canucks games. Sadly none this season.

decies

Am a red sox and patriots fan, I might just start follow the bruins now , just one thing are many of the regular season games on at around 6 or 9 pm?? Irish time

KaiserGunner

My interest in ice hockey probably stemmed from playing NHL 97 on the sega megadrive. I always picked the Philadelphia Flyers so I see them as my team. Incidentally being a fan of the Flyers made me become an Eagles and a 76ers fan in the other two sports. I have the NHL 11 game now on the XBOX and its quality. ESPN america is great and allows me to follow the sport now in more detail than I have ever been able to before.

Hail 2 Da Thief

Lived in Vancouver recently, got into hockey & naturally became a Canucks fan.

forzacalcio

Games are usually 12am/1am Irish time except weekends or US Holidays. Not sure whats going to happen now as the ESPN America contract is up for NHL and I cant see a renewel anywhere. the tender for thsi went out 3 weeks ago!

Pisco Sour

forzacalcio wrote: »

Games are usually 12am/1am Irish time except weekends or US Holidays. Not sure whats going to happen now as the ESPN America contract is up for NHL and I cant see a renewel anywhere. the tender for thsi went out 3 weeks ago!

WHATTTTTT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

rismak7

I started playing an ice hockey game called Brett Hull Hockey on the SNES when I was younger. I loved paying that game and the Chicago Black Hawks were my team on it. I also spent time in Canada which increased my interest in the sport.

I haven't picked a team to support just yet but it'll probably be the Black Hawks since I liked playing as them on the SNES and they seem to have some good players in the likes of Kane, Toews and Hossa.

Mactastico

My girlfriend's dad is from Vancouver and he got me into it about a year, so naturally i started supporting the Canucks. I'm still a bit new to the game, like i understand the rules etc, and know the Canucks reasonably well, but i'm hoping to get into it a bit more seriously next season. It really is an awesome sport, i never thought i'd enjoy it so much.

Well, everything except for game 7 that is. Sigh...

Chris Hansen

Mighty ducks!


quack quack quack!

Rented Mule

Chris Hansen wrote: »

Mighty ducks!


quack quack quack!

They haven't been the 'Mighty Ducks' in quite a while.

MrJoeSoap

Rented Mule wrote: »

They haven't been the 'Mighty Ducks' in quite a while.

I take it he meant the Mighty Ducks films got him into hockey...

Dunnzer

I know I'm a bit late in saying this but GO BRUINS!!! cough sorry had to get that out. Also Someone posted saying that ESPN America doesn't have the games anymore. Is that true? Because we just got it free with sky sports and I was hoping to finally see some games.

emul8ter25

When I was young I watched the 1980 winter olympics with my dad and witnessed "the miracle on ice" where team USA, made up of amateurs, defeated the Soviet Union team or professionals.

In my mind that's still one of the greatest moment in sports and I've been hooked ever since.

cena

emul8ter25 wrote: »

When I was young I watched the 1980 winter olympics with my dad and witnessed "the miracle on ice" where team USA, made up of amateurs, defeated the Soviet Union team or professionals.

In my mind that's still one of the greatest moment in sports and I've been hooked ever since.

The flim is great too. Its the one disney brought out.

citytillidie

back in 2001 spent 2 months in Montreal and loved the city and the sport, although i did play the games on the playstation aswell.

Got into it from there and last year spent more time in Montreal and got into even more even if it was nearly impossible to get a face vaule ticket for a game there.

Was weird going into an Irish bar that went from showing football in English to Hockey in French but good craic

TheTosh

Got a dreamcast with an NHL game on it, loved it from there. I always picked the Caps because I liked the jersey and since then they've become my team but now in American sports I follow all the Washington teams, so go Caps, Skins, Nationals, Wizards and United

krissovo

I was posted to Canada in the British Army to a place called Medicine Hat, started playing hockey in the Winter to keep fit for the rugby season and loved it. Watched virtually every Flames game that first season, the second season I made the Army team and toured Canada and the US.

COYW

krissovo wrote: »

I was posted to Canada in the British Army to a place called Medicine Hat, started playing hockey in the Winter to keep fit for the rugby season and loved it. Watched virtually every Flames game that first season, the second season I made the Army team and toured Canada and the US.

Is it as mental to play as it looks?

krissovo

COYW wrote: »

Is it as mental to play as it looks?

Mental and frustrating until you get some decent skill at skating and then coordinating with with a stick. I actually found it a little bit of let down as in my head I built it up to be a truly awesome sport to play but the reality when you start you only end up chasing the puck around the ice without getting a touch.

I was defenceman, there is nothing more satisfying in sport than a really good body check that slams the skater into the boards while you keep your balance and get the puck.

Crapbag

New to the Hockey section on boards.ie

Just back from my Working Visa in Vancouver. Was so lucky to be there for their playoff run. Too bad. I watched the games in Bars and in a Barracks beside Rogers arena and was there for the riots. Myself and the girlfriend followed the full season and got to go to about 10 Vancouver Giants (WHL) games and 1 Canucks game. I emersed myself in Hockey culture for the year and it was f**king brilliant!

Ive loved hockey since I was about 12. Mighty Ducks might have had something to do with it. Played roller hockey for a few months until the craze died out. Still loved it though and was limited to playing silly computer games and watching hightlight tapes I got for christmas. Got my dad to bring back jerseys and a set of Hockey gloves when I was in my teens.

I got to fulfil my childhood dream this year when I got to learn how to skate (badly) and played in Vancouver for a few months. Have to disagree with the frustration comment, I couldnt skate and couldnt stick handle but laughed my ass off the whole time and had an unbelievable amount of fun. Eventually I badly tore my hip flexor and stopped skating for a few months but I played floor hockey (similar to inline but without skates) up until... well last Thursday. I played with Canadians, they were brilliant. Taught me so much and were very patient with a complete novice. Eventually got a bit handy on defence (relative to their skill) and played physical. Managed to play that for the whole year. I miss it already and im only home

Ill hopefully get to link up with the Dublin Riot to get my fix of it here

P.S Go Canucks Go! :-)

cyberwolf77

I got into hockey thanks to the fact that my whole family are hockey fanatics. Some of my earliest memories are of being allowed to stay up late to watch the Sabres games with my mother. Then about eight years ago I got an opportunity to step between the pipes as a goaile in friendly roller hockey games. Also, I am from Buffalo. You know, the drinking town with a hockey problem

victap8

Was in 3rd class when I was a youngster and the 2 coaches from the team in town came over to the school to scout for new players, and I decided to give it go.

GoldFour4

I've two uncles living in Calgary so the Flames were a natural choice. Also gotta love the hockey only city. Everyone loves the team

krissovo

malachyscott wrote: »

I've two uncles living in Calgary so the Flames were a natural choice. Also gotta love the hockey only city. Everyone loves the team

Its impossible not to get into hockey in Calgary.

MrJoeSoap

Calgary is my reason for liking hockey, Edmonton also. Went there is '98 and picked up a jersey and hundreds of playing cards that I still have somewhere, and have had a love for the sport since.

Silver Clown

I spent some time studying abroad in Canada a few years ago and picked up an interest in the sport from there. I watched games from time to time once I came home but I never really picked a team to follow. With the NFL season almost gone with the labour dispute recently, I decided to start following the sport properly this year.

I still haven't picked a team yet, but I do like watching the pens, bruins (their rivalry with the canadiens is really entertaining to watch) and the blackhawks so I'll likely end up supporting one of those teams.

MrJoeSoap

Silver Clown wrote: »

I spent some time studying abroad in Canada a few years ago and picked up an interest in the sport from there. I watched games from time to time once I came home but I never really picked a team to follow. With the NFL season almost gone with the labour dispute recently, I decided to start following the sport properly this year.

I still haven't picked a team yet, but I do like watching the pens, bruins (their rivalry with the canadiens is really entertaining to watch) and the blackhawks so I'll likely end up supporting one of those teams.

Welcome to the forum.

Silver Clown

Thanks for the welcome Joe

red_ice

I told a lie earlier on about how i got into hockey.

I saw this and I wanted to be able to do it. So I took up hockey.

shefellover93

Used have Actua Hockey on the Playstation and used always pick the New Jersey 'Angels' (And went on for a few years thinking that was their actual name :pac:) then got NHL 2003 on the ps2 and played that almost till the disc burned out on me Great soundtrack, great commentary, great game! Picked up NHL 08 a few years ago and played goalie mode but kinda lost interest after a while.

Got back into it when I heard about the scores in some of the Stanley Cup playoff games and heard about the epic goaltender battle that was going on. Picked the Bruins when I heard about Thomas' story and was glued to game 7. With the games coming to Setanta I started to get regular interest back and signed up for Roller Hockey in Cork with absolutely no experience. Tried out in goal and loving it (Despite the fact I've about 4 weeks skating experience :pac:) Hope to play a few games this year and getting the newest NHL this weekend. Not really keeping up to date with the Devils so much but have every game on the TV recorded and watching them when I get the chance.

crushproof

krissovo wrote: »

Its impossible not to get into hockey in Calgary.

Lol, the exact reason i got into hockey, didn't like it at first but eventually realised I had to if I was to get along with anyone in work!
was hoping the Flames would improve this season after their late surge last season but so far they've been pretty unimpressive

hoser expat

Grew up in Canada so I suppose its in the blood. Every kid there plays hockey, even if it is only on the street. Worst part about moving to Ireland was the lack of hockey.