Do you believe that the physical demands required of pro ice hockey players are not appreciated by the masses?
Do you believe that the physical demands required of pro ice hockey players are not appreciated by the masses?
no.
Confused____ wrote:
Do you believe that the physical demands required of pro ice hockey players are not appreciated by the masses?
Nor the demands of hockey refs. They have to skate all 60 minutes, dodge pucks, sticks, and the occasional fist.
Not only the demands, but the athletic ability they possess.
I never thought twice about hockey players until Charles Poliquin wrote an article in which he detailed some of Jim McKenzie's strength levels. That was also about the same time I saw Mike Modano up close. Not a small cat and nor were the other players I was around.
Yes, the physical demands are definitely under appreciated. An 84-game schedule at that speed and level of anaerobic intensity is extraordinary, especially given how physical the game is. Sure, some guys are only logging 7-10 minutes' ice time but they're in amazing physical shape.
Saw Mats Sundin shooting stick in a quiet pub after a game in the mid-90s. He gave my buddy and me a polite smile and the "Hi, please don't try to talk to me" look. Dude is a beast.
Look up some of the early Ovechkin trick shot videos. There are some where he's doing things like roofing pucks from the top of the crease one-handed on his backhand. Just incredible.