SPORTS February 16, 2009 Issue

A FRESH LOOK AT ICE HOCKEY

RICK LIPSEY

A FRIEND WHO IS THE MOTHER of two young boys and I were recently ice skating with our children. My friend's boys were skating very well, so I suggested they might want to play ice hockey, as two of my own kids do.

"No chance," she exclaimed. "That sport is banned in our house. It's way too violent."

My friend's view of ice hockey is prevalent, but doesn't jibe with mine. As I see it, hockey played at its highest level doesn't have to be violent. Just look at the greatest player in history, Wayne Gretzky. "The Great One" was a Lilliputian by professional sports standards—six foot and 160 pounds—and his greatness was rooted not in physical prowess, but rather in his grace, precision, humility, and an indefatigable work ethic. Gretzky never fought, never threw around his weight (what little he had), and rarely took penalties. He simply skated circles around opponents, threaded shots and passes through slots nobody else saw, and moved into strategic positions several steps ahead of everybody else.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

SENTINEL WATCH

FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY: MENTAL AND PHYSICAL