Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports of sports world, which is played on ice rink. Ice hockey is popular in countries where there are abundance of snow falls and was earlier played during the winter season. But now with the artificial ice rink stadiums--ice hockey matches are played when ever any one feels like.

Ice hockey is popular in countries like Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and in many other nations. The governing body of ice hockey is the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that was founded in 1908. At present, the IIHF has 64 members under its wings.

Ice hockey is one the main sports of Winter Olympic Games. Ice hockey whether it is at the winter Olympic Games or at the IIHF World Championships-countries like the US, Canada, Russia, and Sweden are some of the countries that have dominated this sport.

Ice hockey is played by a team of six members. The general format of ice hockey and filed hockey is same-in both the games a team has to score goals. Both the games are played with hockey sticks. The differences that ice hockey and field hockey have are due to the different climatic conditions they are played in.

Ice rink (play field): The play ground of ice hockey is called ice rink. Hockey puck (hockey ball): Ice hockey is played by hockey puck, which is made of vulcanized rubber in round shape.

In ice hockey, all the players wear various protection guards like helmets, hand gloves, elbow guards, ice skaters, neck guard, shin guards, and gum shield etc.

History of ice hockey

It is believed that ice hockey started in the northern Europe countries like England and France. Centuries ago field hockey was very popular in those countries during summer months. And with the onset of winter, all the ponds and other water bodies used to get frozen.

The people of Holland used to play ice hockey on such water bodies during the winter months, which was slowly followed in England and in other nations.

The first professional ice hockey league known as International Pro Hockey League came up in the US during 1904. However, this league didn't enjoy much success and was shelved three years later. Three years after the closure of International Pro Hockey League, came the National Hockey Association and the Pacific Coast League. In 1915, an agreement was reached between the two associations that their champions will fight for the Stanley Cup. That's how ice hockey Game gradually grew over the period of time.Know about the upcoming 2008 Ice Hockey Schedules.