Hockey: Athleticism and Elegance

I didn't grow up in a hockey family -- we didn't flood our backyard each winter (but the neighbors usually did). I have no relatives, distant or otherwise, who play the game. But I did grow up in a family where Detroit sports were sacred. Sunday and Thanksgiving were reserved for Lions games. As a tiny kid, I remember staring in awe at all the clothes my mom and dad had on to go one of those Turkey Day games against the Bears back before the Silverdome was built. Summer evenings were spent with Ernie Harwell in the background, even if the Tigers were on television. My uncle played with Dave DeBusschere at the University of Detroit for Dick Vitale. But for some reason, hockey became my favorite.

It's fast, it can be unforgiving and it takes incredible athleticism and stamina to play well. But it also demands grace, elegance, intelligence and finesse from those who want to be great. This mix of strength and refinement always amazes me. How can a guy like Pavel Datsyuk, with such great hands and maneuvering skills, always make sure he's in his own end ferociously back-checking? He's fast enough to skate circles around many other players and he's big enough to absorb hits. Certainly there's greatness in every sport, but hockey is a level above the rest.

Hockey also seems to attract less arrogant athletes -- they really are playing more for the crest on the front of the sweater than the name on the back. Of course there are jerks everywhere, but in reading and watching interviews and games, I've never felt that hockey players are just in it for the money. Maybe that's because they make far less than superstar NBA, NFL or MLB players. I've not seen an NHL player who acts as though it's his right to play the game -- fans, owners and media be damned. Compare Sidney Crosby to Roger Clemens. Alex Ovechkin to Kobe Bryant. Nick Lidstrom to Terrell Owens. Steve Yzerman to Curt Schilling. Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I'd rather watch a humble superstar than a self-aggrandizing one any day.