Watching ice hockey
live has a similar effect as a roller-coaster. Yes, really! Something we did not expect when we ventured over to the Motorpoint Arena to see the Nottingham Panthers for our first experience of the sport. Nothing could have prepared us for the theatrics of the opening right through to the sheer energy that ripped across the arena.
We found out that at the beginning of every home game the lights black out and the entire arena falls into a simmering darkness and excitement. Fans sit breathless leaning forwards, sporting their replica jerseys, clapping, chanting and the atmosphere in the arena is electric. Pumping music is loud, the cheering louder. We admit it; we were somewhat swept up in it all and not knowing what to expect was making us pretty curious. What on earth was all the hype about?!
Then it began. After the friendly mascot had got the fans roaring, on came the teams and the pace picked up. These guys travel as fast as cars, no exaggeration, and the players are impressively able to seemingly fly-glide on steel blades that are only half a millimetre thick. When they collide, which they do frequently, you hear it. A deep thud, like a large bang. And no one prepared us for the fighting. They really brawl. And you forget yourself, and actually encourage them. You want more. Whatever it is that is happening out there in the game you want to be a part of it.
Once we had got to grips with the sport’s unique terminology and became used to the energised Tannoy announcements, bright coloured central screen and carnival-like energy, we were starting to wonder why we hadn’t discovered ice hockey all that sooner.
Interestingly, when we researched it pre-match, it turns out that the sport is growing steadily in popularity. It has become the most watched indoor sport in Britain and the third most popular winter sport, after rugby and football, but in contrast with these two sports, it is not played at schools across the country. We were curious as to why this was the case and were able to spend some time with Nottingham Panthers Head Coach Tim Wallace who gave us the lowdown on what’s happening with the sport and what more needs to be done to draft in new young talent.
We wanted to understand how, unlike in Canada or Sweden, for example, it hasn’t become embedded in our sporting culture, even with the potential to be an all-consuming source of entertainment. Ironically, enthusiasts have pointed out that the first ever game in the modern era was played by Englishmen in the 1800s, albeit in Ontario, and the UK has had an ice hockey association since 1914. Britain even won ice hockey bronze at the 1924 Winter Olympics in France. So, why isn’t it on school curriculums or making primetime TV on the sports channels? And how can this totally mesmerising sport attract new fans?
The last point on fans, Tim explained, needs a variety of actions to bring it to the attention of young people across the country and encourage them to give it a go.
“I think the new deal with Premier Sports should help attract new fans and keep others engaged. Having teams have some players from teams throughout the league go to school visits, interact, and give some free tickets to the kids around the UK should help. What we have is a case of a fantastic sport that just needs the spotlight shone on it. Finally we are starting to see that investment.
“If a young kid gets to see a game up close he may become a huge fan and decide to start playing ice hockey which will only help in gaining new fans in the long run. So it’s getting that initial exposure, hopefully with, as I said the new Premier Sports coverage, which I do think will be a turning point.
“Having a young kid find a new role model goes a long way in putting him on the right track, and hopefully he or she will join a team and starts playing themselves. Also, some sort of Match of the Day show for our league could grab some new fans as well. It is hugely successful for football and the show has fans just for itself so it would be great to replicate that with ice hockey, really put it on the map.”
The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) includes twelve teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, including our very own Nottingham Panthers who at the time of writing this were in second place in the league, hot on the heels of arch rivals Sheffield Steelers.
Encouragingly, the popularity of ice hockey is going through a new surge and three teams in this country are now in the Top 100 most attended in European hockey, and of course Nottingham is there, along with Sheffield and Belfast.
Looking back, Great Britain was at its strongest in the sport in the 1930s. During 1935 - 1939, it won the Olympic Games, the World Championship and twice came in at second and once in third at the latter. At the time the success was attributed to the involvement of Canadian coaches and players as well as the creation of Europe’s first professional hockey league, the England Hockey League.
Such was the popularity that in the pre-war years the first live TV report by there BBC was from a hockey game, not football as you might first think. Sadly, after the war interest in the sport began to decline with this only picking up momentum again in the early 1990s.
The success of the national team has been a huge player in regaining interest after it sensationally make its way to the Ice Hockey world Championships in 2019. Also participating in the World Cup, and despite only finishing 13th, the very fact they were playing in the most prestigious hockey championship gave rise to new fans, and brought about a new found interest in the sport.
The EIHL is actively promoting ice hockey on a number of television channels, and as Tim mentioned FreeSports and Premier Sports have become partners and are increasingly broadcasting matches, highlights and playoff and cup finals.
It’s clear that there is a lot of catching up to do in comparison with the exposure that others sports receive, and this now seems to be on the right path, but we also wondered if enough is being done to introduce it to schoolchildren and if not, what the reasoning would be.
Tim explains: “ Hockey is an expensive sport and that makes it less accessible than say football where you can go outside and play on the field with other kids. It would be great if more charities or organisations that raise money for underprivileged kids and in community wellbeing could raise money to start a league or team. This would be a huge help.
“Finding ways to give kids the chance to find a role model should be a priority throughout the league and this means engagement with teams directly into their region and communities, working with schools and colleges.”
We couldn’t agree more. We wondered if there was a case in hand for lobbying the government for openings for ice hockey within sports education. There certainly will be many kids out there who may never have been exposed to it but once they have there could be some budding new talent on the horizon, or even just another new fan. The experience live was quite something and we can easily see why fans really are fanatical about this sport. We asked Tim why he thinks it is so special and different to any other sport.
“Ice Hockey is the ultimate team sport. You have to put your body on the line for your teammates and organisation. It requires so many different tangibles to be an elite player. Playing ice hockey on a team is a microcosm of life. Adversity is going to happen in ice hockey and in life. Dealing with the ups and downs will only make you a stronger person in the long run.
“Ice Hockey also teaches you that, just like in life, you have to put in the work to achieve anything. The Stanley Cup is by far the most difficult trophy to win in sports and every year everyone should be able to watch the last game of the season and enjoy watching the celebration of the captain raising the cup over his head.”
We will be looking at season passes for the winter. It’s not often that you find such high-octane energy and fun all bundled into one game. A true adrenalin rush! We might even go so far as buying the official jersey. If you’d like to find out more about the Elite Ice Hockey League, visit: www.eliteleague.co.uk
And of course to support the Panthers, why not head over to a home match. Take the family along for something different, try it out. Buy we warn you; be prepared to be fully swept up in the excitement!
And for the existing Panthers fans, Tim has a special message…
“We appreciate your backing and the energy that you bring. Let’s not forget about the away games where you spend your time and money to make as well.
"Personally I love going to away games and hearing our fans bring more noise and enthusiasm than the home supporters. As we experienced during the last 18 months hockey and sports in general are not the same without you.
The players and the entire Panthers organisation have definitely become more appreciative of your support. Thank you. Let’s hope we see you at a game soon.”
For further details and fixtures please visit: www.panthers.co.uk
