Is Hockey Dead?

In a word, no.

Yes, here we are, February 15th, 2005 - the day the NHL died - but that's it, the NHL died. Hockey, the great sport that it is, is still alive and well in spite of the stewards of its highest level treating it like a toilet after a night of draft beer and White Castles. Sign number one that hockey is alive: My son's mini-mite practice tomorrow night at 6:00 was not cancelled today at 1PM, and the CMMPA (Columbus Mini-Mite Players Association) did not offer a rebuttal at 4PM.

Seriously, I'm a hockey zealot, it's true, but the game itself will survive, it has to. The NCAA playoffs aren't too far off - they weren't cancelled. Next Tuesday will mark the 25th anniversary of the US beating the Soviets in Lake Placid - it won't be cancelled. The Calder Cup will be handed out to the AHL champion, the Memorial Cup will go to the Major Junior champion - neither of them cancelled.

Just because the NHL and the NHLPA are too stubborn/greedy/shortsighted to allow hockey to thrive at its highest level doesn't mean the death of the game. True, it won't help, but Andrew Schembri at Ohio State, Dan Fritsche of the London Knights, every kid in the Junior Jackets Mini-Mite program, and those like them lacing 'em up for the thrill and love of the game will make sure the sport of hockey keeps its pulse.