The NHL: The Nicest League In The World!

Damn, why didn't I call it The NHL: Nice Hockey League ...FAIL

Compared to other sports it seems that hockey has a little bit of advantage on the niceness scale. Did I miss something? Did Emily Post write a book on hockey manners? It seems like there is less attempted cheating, less cheap shots, and more of following the unwritten hockey code of ethics.

Even the fighting reminds me of the way brothers punch each other in the face and then go out for a beer together. Despite it being a rough and tough contact sport, the NHL seems to have a kind and caring heart, and I don't like it!

Assists For Everyone!

Hockey is unique (to the top sports at least) in that it gives out multiple assists on scoring plays. (I don't even think Soccer has assists...evil) Even if one player just makes a routine pass up the ice, and the receiving player makes an amazing crossing pass to the scorer, both men get credit for an assist. You Deserve Everything!

However the generosity doesn't just stop there. If a player shoots and misses, and the puck deflects off the boards to another player who scores, that is also an assist. An assist on a bad shot! Friends Forever!

Goals For Not Shooting!

If a player shoots on goal, the puck could accidentally hit off of another player who is not paying attention. If the deflection goes into the goal it is a goal for the deflector, not for the shooter. A goal for someone who did nothing but accidentally stand in the right place at the right time. But what about the shooter! Doesn't he get snubbed. Don't worry, he gets credit for the assist, which is a point for his stats, same as a goal! Try Your Best!

Stats For Not Scoring!

Were you not one of the 8 players on the ice who picked up an Assist or Goal on a scoring play? No need to fear, the NHL is there to deposit some points into your stat sheet. It's the dreaded Plus Minus. Read More Here. Everybody Wins!

Multiple Stars!

The NHL doesn't just want to reward 1 player of the game. They want to reward 3. Even players on the losing team are awarded. And thanks to the cutesy NHL, these players are Stars! And their stars have stars, and their stars have stars, etc...Read More Here. You Are All My Gold Stars!

Hug It Out!

After someone scores in football there is usually some crazy 1980's style jumping high five. In the NHL players are required to hug each other after a goal. It promotes friendship and love. All You Need Is Love!

Points For A Loss!

Didn't win your game? Not to fear, the NHL will still give you a point. The requirement is that you tried hard for 3 periods, and almost w0n! Read More Here. Anything is Possible!

The Nice Guy Award!

The NHL has a sportsmanship award. That is not unique as most sports have an award for this. The thing that is just all swell and dainty and nice is that the award is called the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. So the NHL is going to give a tough guy with 4 missing teeth, a black eye, and a concussion a trophy called the Lady Byng Trophy? A Gentleman After My Own Heart!

A message from the NHL:

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.