Ice Hockey in Poland

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Sep 9, 07, 16:10 #1
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

Grzegorz_Threads: 81 Posts: 6,213 Joined: Nov 16, 06 ♂	Sep 9, 07, 16:12 #2
Quoting: PolskaDoll if anyone could tell me how popular the sport is in Poland Not much.

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07 ♂	Sep 9, 07, 16:24 #3
Quoting: Grzegorz_ Not much Is that you can't say much about it, or it's not particularly popular ?

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Sep 9, 07, 16:24 #4
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.

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Sep 9, 07, 16:32 #5

Quoting: Grzegorz_

Not much.

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 :)

Quoting: Wroclaw

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

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

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07 ♂	Sep 9, 07, 16:33 #6
Popular next door in Belarus. Doesn't ice-hockey involve a lot of fighting and mindless violence?

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Sep 9, 07, 16:35 #7
Quoting: osiol 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.

♂

Edited by: Ronek Sep 9, 07, 16:35 #8

Quoting: osiol

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

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.

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07 ♂	Sep 9, 07, 16:37 #9
Quoting: Wroclaw the culture of the ice rink. They only get used in Winter So not much curling either?

RanjThreads: 27 Posts: 1,286 Joined: Sep 29, 06 ♀	Sep 9, 07, 16:39 #10
Quoting: PolskaDoll any fellow Ice Hockey supporters around the forum :) 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.

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Sep 9, 07, 16:47 #11

Quoting: Ranj

Ranj

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 :)

♂ [Moderator]

Edited by: Wroclaw Sep 9, 07, 16:51 #12

Quoting: PolskaDoll

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

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.

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Sep 9, 07, 16:58 #13

Quoting: Wroclaw

Your post shows that ice hockey is played in Summer as well as Winter.

How so? Because it starts in September?

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

Quoting: Wroclaw

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

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

Quoting: Wroclaw

to be a professional ice skater because the reality doesn't allow it.

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

Quoting: Wroclaw

Get them on the rink and show them what can be done.

I wish I could sort this out.

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

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Edited by: Wroclaw Sep 9, 07, 17:05 #14
Quoting: PolskaDoll 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.

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Sep 10, 07, 13:17 #15
Quoting: Wroclaw the Billingham Bombers They still exist. I didn't think they did but they do! :) thebombers.co.uk

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Sep 10, 07, 13:43 #16
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.

♂

Edited by: Krzysztof Sep 10, 07, 14:08 #17

Quoting: PolskaDoll

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

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)

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Sep 10, 07, 15:39 #18

Quoting: Krzysztof

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 :)

Quoting: Wroclaw

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.

Then my job is done lol :)

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

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Sep 10, 07, 15:48 #19
Quoting: PolskaDoll 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.

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Sep 10, 07, 15:52 #20
Quoting: Wroclaw 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.

♂ [Moderator]

Sep 10, 07, 16:05 #21

Quoting: PolskaDoll

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.

♂

Sep 10, 07, 16:08 #22

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??

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Sep 10, 07, 16:12 #23
Quoting: tornado2007 hay sorry to but in guys, The more the merrier

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Edited by: plk123 Sep 10, 07, 16:22 #24
Quoting: Ranj I'm a HUGE hockey fan.... woot, woot!

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Edited by: PolskaDoll Sep 10, 07, 16:38 #25

Quoting: Wroclaw

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

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!

Quoting: Wroclaw

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.

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

Quoting: tornado2007

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

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 :)

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Sep 10, 07, 16:51 #26
Quoting: plk123 woot, woot! Detroit Red Wings?? am i right??

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Sep 10, 07, 16:59 #27
Yer...

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Sep 10, 07, 17:10 #28
yuppers..

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Sep 10, 07, 17:11 #29
Quoting: plk123 yuppers.. well at least i'm not totally obnoxious when it comes to US sports

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Sep 10, 07, 18:07 #30
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.

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