Hockey Lives On

NHL players may not be hitting the ice, but hockey is far from over. Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

While traditionally the middle of September would bring about joy for fans of the National Hockey League, this year it brings a whole new batch of emotions – none of them very positive. However, while NHL players are being locked out and some being pushed to sign overseas in order to maintain employment, hockey is far from over.

A lockout provides the perfect setup for hockey fans of all ages and demographics to develop and grow an interest in junior hockey. Leagues such as the American, Western and Ontario hockey leagues are playing on with business as usual; college hockey progresses as it ever does, and there’s always leagues like the AJHL, OJHL and USHL to fall back on.

First, two tools that can help you find a team – or maybe more than one – located in your area to support. If you need visual proof that there are plenty of teams out there, have a look at this graphic, previously posted at Frozen Futures. It details only a few of the junior hockey leagues out there and doesn’t even include college hockey.

Also have a look at this website. Simply input your city or town and select the leagues you’re interested in, and it will give you the five closest hockey teams to you. The results may seem a bit off, but even so, it’s a good way to get started.

Now, once you’ve figured out your backup plan – be it college, OHL, WHL, QMJHL, AHL, a European team, whatever pleases you – dive right into it. Follow the league and the team(s) on Twitter, like them on Facebook. Research the rosters, dig up video interviews and highlights on the team’s website and Youtube.

I know what you might be thinking at this point. “It’s not the same!!” Well, guess what? I’m not going to argue with you there. The NHL’s Buffalo Sabres play in my hometown, just a ten-minute drive from my house. Meanwhile, the closest OHL team is about a 30-minute drive over the Canadian border, and the closest AHL team is just over an hour away. Yes, they’re cheaper to attend in person, and definitely a lot of fun, but the games aren’t available on TV much, and are a pain to try and locate anywhere else.

For the pure ease factor, the lockout is obviously an inconvenience.

However, even if you aren’t able to attend every game or watch it on television, look into radio feeds and see if that’s available. Hit up a few college games, even if you don’t think you’ll be THAT interested. Watch the video highlights and see some of the up-and-coming stars that could be in the NHL, or at least the prospect pool, in just a few short years.

Follow your NHL team’s prospects as well! This might involve following an AHL team, but will also allow you to take a look at leagues including the WHL, QMJHL and OHL.

Minor-league games are honestly very enjoyable. Tickets are generally cheaper than the National Hockey League games, so even if you do have to travel a bit, it’ll probably work itself out in the end in terms of cost.

The arenas aren’t as large, allowing you to have a more intimate experience while attending the games, and the players are working even harder to be successful in hoping of accomplishing their dreams of reaching the upper leagues.

While getting through this NHL lockout – whether it lasts a day, two weeks, a few months or the entire season – will surely be a challenge, there’s still plenty of hockey to hold you up in the meantime.

(Oh, and I hope you’ll stick by the junior leagues even AFTER the NHL lockout is resolved.)