The Hockey Tradition

It was a tradition that my family lived for.

No, it wasn’t Christmas or Thanksgiving. It wasn’t birthday celebrations, anniversaries, or any other holiday. It was the moment when the puck dropped for the first time each October at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. We lived for the thrill of the crowds, the buzz of hockey statistics around us, and the blue and gold of dedication to the team pulsating throughout the crowd.

It’s hard to really capture that thrill, though. To really understand why the fighting, yelling and drinking that envelopes this sport is so enthralling, you have to see it. But not just any hockey game—you have to see a season home opener. I would say you have to see a season home opener in Buffalo, but I’m biased.

The rumors of the National Hockey League’s lockout started in the summer of this year. Many fans began worrying incessantly about the possibility of losing the start of the 2012 season, and I was among them. Ever since the 2004-05 season of hockey was completely canceled, the word “lockout” has been taboo. Along with it always come disappointment, frustration and anger.

The reason behind the madness was a disagreement between the Player’s Association and the National Hockey League administration. The NHLPA’s leader is a man named Donald Fehr—a hard-hitting fighter for players’ rights. At the core of the issue is money, and the players don’t want to settle for less than they deserve.

What the players are struggling for is a soft cap, as opposed to the rigid one in place now. In other words, they want more salary flexibility. Gary Bettman, the league commissioner, wants to be sure the league stays profitable, and with a soft cap the teams could go into debt, spending more money on players than they have.

But the players don’t feel like they should settle for the salary cuts that would result in keeping the hard cap. In 2004-05, the NHLPA settled for what the administration wanted, and they don’t want to do it again.

Players and fans have criticized Bettman for his treatment of those associated with the NHL. David Krejci, forward for the Boston Bruins, says, “It is unfortunate that the NHL have such a guy. It’s a shame for the entire hockey world. Treats us like animals” (iSport.cz).

Clearly he isn’t a very popular guy.

When it comes down to it, though, there is fault on both sides. It takes two to lockout, and as a fan I’m just hoping it doesn’t cost us the whole season—the season I live for.