LORNE RILEY on hockey as part of roots and national identity

A note from Michael: I am so delighted to post Lorne Riley's thoughts on hockey. Lorne is a former student of mine but more importantly, he is the son of Lorne Riley mentioned in my earlier post as one of the great players and arguably the best coach ever in the history of Chapleau!. And Lorne, as an aside, your relative, Jack Morris (no relation to the writer) was a pretty awesome hockey player in his day!

Lorne Riley said...
Warm memories indeed. And I agree hockey is one of the ties than binds this great nation. To this day I remember those games...huddled under the heaters (if you were lucky) or jammed against the glass by the eiderdown press of the crowd (if you were even luckier). The atmosphere was electric during the play-offs. Local rivalries intensied ...Wawa for the Juniors, Timmins for the Intermediates.

But I fear the tie that binds is fraying. While the five-year run of the Canadian Junior team solidifies our position as the top hockey nation in the world, local enrolments for minor hockey are down dramatically across Ontario. In the north, a shrinking economy and population base is a factor, as are new-age diversions like the internet, video games, satellite TV...things that we never had to contend with.

Another contributor to minor hockey's gradual downfall is the staggering cost. Equipment, rink rental, club fees and travelling costs have gone through the roof. Even the most passionate hockey Moms and Dads think twice about footing the bill. A changing demographic, with cultural roots more closely tied to cheaper sports like soccer, is also eroding interest and participation in Canada's national pasttime.Is Canadian hockey in danger of extinction? Not at all. Is it at risk?

Yes. As is the community spirit and love for the game that not so long ago inspired 1,000 hardy souls in a town of just over 3,000 to jam into the local barn in -30 weather to cheer on their team. We need to recall those days, not only to enshrine them in our memory but to use them to encourage parents and children, in small towns and big cities across Canada not to lose touch with our roots and by extension our national identity.Go Huskies Go!
January 22, 2009 7:44 AM