Ice Hockey in Poland

I've just come back from my first game of the season here in UK. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how popular the sport is in Poland at senior level and if you know of any websites written in English about the main leagues. I will Google it but nice to hear of any fellow Ice Hockey supporters around the forum :)

PD

Not much.

Is that

you can't say much about it, or
it's not particularly popular

?

PD,

To make ice hockey popular in Poland you would have to change the culture of the ice rink. They only get used in Winter.

Well, I kind of thought this because I have never heard much about it, known us to sign Polish players and I can't ever seem to find that much about it on the Internet. I thought maybe I was missing something :)



I'm not sure I understand this though. It's a Winter Sport.

Popular next door in Belarus.

Doesn't ice-hockey involve a lot of fighting and mindless violence?

Pfft, not these days. You get the odd handbags swung but the rules don't really allow it. It happens when tempers flare and the Refs can't keep a handle on situations. Although, it's different in different countries.

yeah thats why polish players end up on the top of NFL bad boys list,


But aproaching the topic seriously...
Ice hockey in Poland was very popular years back, hell my dad used to be a hockey player.
The thing is that polish hockey didnt have any major achievements so they lost sponsors as well and therofore there is not much money today to promote it.

So not much curling either?

I'm a HUGE hockey fan....Go to several NHL games each year....would go more often if it weren't so expensive and there was actually a professional team where I live.....I'm a Detroit Redwing's Fan so I go up there.

It's getting pretty expensive here too :( although everytime I mention it, I get told that football is more expensive still. I never understand that logic as I don't go to footie matches.

My team is in a league called the EIHL (Elite Ice Hockey League) and every year there are improvements. We won tonight so :)))))

I used to follow the New Jersey Devils a bit but kind of lost track but Channel 5 over here covers the NHL with some live games so I usually try and catch whoever is playing :)

When I lived in the north-east the ice rink was as busy in summer as it was in winter.
Some people would even go to the ice rink on a hot day, to cool down.
Your post shows that ice hockey is played in Summer as well as Winter.
For ice hockey to be successful people have to be encouraged to use the rink out of season.
Get them on the rink and show them what can be done. No one here has dreams, for example, to be a professional ice skater because the reality doesn't allow it.

The ''Sports clubs for kids in Wroclaw'' thread might be of use.

How so? Because it starts in September?

I guess it's a sport that need to be reintroduced/introduced to Poland.



I skimmed this thread but I might have a better read of it now :)



In Britain it's much the same. There's only a small handful of people who have made their money out of playing professionally.



I wish I could sort this out.

So what might the interest in the NHL be in Poland? Is it shown?

I'm not sure. It might be on one of the sat channels.

Forgot to say: I used to follow the Billingham Bombers, but that was years ago.

They still exist. I didn't think they did but they do! :)

thebombers.co.uk

Many thanks PD. I never thought to check them out. I've to say that their website needs serious updating though..
Now you've got me interested again.

last season was shown on NASN, which is available on "n" TV, (but I'm not sure if it's in a standard package of TV channels or for some extra money). There are 3 digital TV platforms in Poland ("Cyfrowy Polsat", "Cyfra+" and "n", you usually choose the one that has most of sports that you like, not many people can afford having them all, unless you got cable TV, then it's up to your provider what they choose)

Thanks Krzysztof, good information :)



Then my job is done lol :)

Let me know if you take in a game at any time :)

I'll do it the easy way. I'll find it on TV and then report back.

lol.

You know, I find it harder to follow when it's on TV for some reason. I don't know if it's because I get distracted watching it on TV or not.

Anyway, it's a pity it's not more popular in Poland as a sport people play, its a great game.

Good sponsors are needed and someone with a passion for the sport to promote it.

We do have ice hockey, so the beginnings of great things are there. We have ice rinks and if used properly they could be used to promote the sport.

Unfortunately business folk in Poland need to see immediate profit, otherwise they won't bother. It's the Polish way.

hay sorry to but in guys,

i used to love ice hockey when i was younger until i tried it, i was never good enough to skate and play at the same time. It got very frustrating so i kind of fell out with it. I also thought it got a bit silly when the whole of the NHL went on strike and one whole season was missed!!!

I knew it was about in England for example Sheffield Stealer's etc, how big is it now then PD??

The more the merrier

woot, woot!

Yes this is the problem really. Money.
I think there probably is someone there with the passion but that aforementioned money is probably their stalling point!



Well, this is good, maybe it will start to make itself known. I bet there would a potentially good fanbase in Poland.



It's big enough in UK but would never compete with say Football/Rugby/Cricket. I wouldn't look at making any money out of it though.

If you wish to know more then check out

www.eliteleague.co.uk

which is the biggest league in the UK although there are many minor ones :)

Detroit Red Wings?? am i right??

Yer...

yuppers..

well at least i'm not totally obnoxious when it comes to US sports

lol.. it's all good as i really have no clue about english sports.. sure i know of premiere league and all but i don't follow any.. soccer is kicking up here a bit.. getting becks is helping a little.. one of these days it will be big here too.