National Hockey League - Returns!
by Kelly Croslis

Since it's beginning in 1904, hockey has drawn crowds and fascinated fans both in the United States and Canada. Though it did have a slow beginning, by the 1960's popularity began to spread and more teams were added to the league. The 1980 Winter Olympics brought Hockey to its greatest boom in popularity. When the United States won the Gold medal that year, there was no greater feeling, not only through the hockey fans, but through the country as well.

But it was nearly two years ago when the heart of many was broken. With financial difficulties and salaries disputes, the NHL players went on strike. The fans made their feelings know in no uncertain terms. They wanted to see hockey, but the players and league could not agree. So, for nearly two seasons there was no talk of Hockey in the news expect for the progress of talks.

Then it happened, the day fans had waited for. Hockey returned to the ice last month. Fans packed the ice rinks as if they had never been gone. With the Winter Olympics once again in front of us, will 2006 be the rebirth of Hockey? Twenty-Six years ago started a new wave of fans and teams, so with the recent strike, team difficulties and frustrated fans, the Olympics are something to look forward to.

It seems there is something about a country coming together that invokes the true reason for the game.