So the real hockey season has started, time when it really matters, the playoffs.  Now my question, who cares?  Does anyone really care about hockey anymore?......well?  I'm waiting.

Nah, just kidding I know some people care about hockey; I mean I'm not a die hard fan but I like the sport. I enjoy watching my hometown Red Wings play and the playoffs are the only thing that get my adrenaline really pumping watching hockey.  Also, sadly, in hockey it is the only time of year that I learn the names of players on a different team.  I mean yes I know some of the stars but really the all important "bit part" players in hockey I really don't get to know their names until playoff season.

I don't get hockey's unpopularity at all.  Have you seen a big game?  It's the best!  There's almost always a chance of scoring a goal and it's incredibly unpredictable.  Who knows when the next "pass back to the goalie who skated to the bench and accidentally scored on his own net" is going to happen, or when a big check is going to be put on and cause a fight?  At any moment you, the viewer, may be left in awe wondering how the hell that guy could have just done that?  I mean there's also just watching the crowd go crazy I think that adds to it with their pom poms or whatever it happens to be.

I mean I have my fond memories watching the Wings.  I saw them get to the finals for the first time in ages, only to be defeated in 4 games.  I must have been only 8 years old or so at the time, but I remember that disappointment.  I also remember watching the Wings two years in a row hold the Stanley Cup over their heads, and remember the sweet victory of defeating our new rival Colorado Avalanche.  I remember in high school having a hockey party with an air horn ready to blow every time the Wings scored a goal (by the way that was the game where they embarrassed Roy with 7 goals, good times).  I also remember the years being disappointed, having what looked like the best team and falling short of the mark.

But it was all fun, it all gives me a rush of excitement watching the goals, the checks, the great saves, and the intensity.  So why isn't it popular?  I mean I can't tell you the last time I watched another two professional hockey teams play one another in the regular season.  Maybe five years ago on a random night when nothing else was on and I flipped past the Canadian channel?  Why is that?  I've seen NFL games plenty of times from teams that are not from my home town (and not only because the Detroit Lions are awful!) but hockey is not the same.

Is it the sport connecting with people?  Maybe a little.  Not everyone can say they've played hockey while most can say they've thrown around a football or played basketball.  It is not necessarily accessible for everyone to play.  However, the sport is definitely fun to watch having a mix of finesse and roughness where you can see a "pretty" goal one minute and the next see two guys knocking each other's teeth out.

Is it the personalities from hockey missing?  I would say no because there are some GREAT people to look up to and admire in the NHL.  And also some villains, I will not mention names in case they want to come find me, but think of the last few guys you have heard about delivering an unsafe and illegal check or high stick that sidelined a player for a long time.  Yeah, those guys.

Is it the marketing?  Probably....I mean they don't show hockey on ESPN.  That is a mistake.  Pay ESPN if you have to, but get your sport on the television station that a lot of men (and some women, do not worry ladies I never forget you in my mind) go looking for SOME sport to watch, and they may happen to enjoy seeing hockey.

I mean there are tons of possibilities out there why hockey is not so much of a major American sport, but I think it still could be.  I wish other people shared my excitements watching the game, even if it were only in the playoffs like those people pretending to be real hockey fans.....oh, wait.