Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 3.23 Featuring Louie Caporusso

www.afootinthecrease.com

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s annual celebration of hockey hit the air Saturday from the little known hamlet of Winkler, Manitoba. The theme for the eighth annual Hockey Day In Canada was “The Journey” with interviews and features throughout the thirteen and a half hours of coverage detailing the many paths followed by Canadians in pursuit of our passion for the game of hockey. A select few found and will find the National Hockey League at the end of their path, but for most, their journey ends up on backyard rinks, in late night pick up games and in minor hockey arenas giving back to the game that gave so much to us as youngsters.

CBC did a fantastic job of recognizing some of the lesser known stars, those whose names we have never heard and likely won’t hear again; however, their contributions to hockey are felt all throughout the country. Saturday, thanks to Hockey Day in Canada, they too were national stars with their names alongside the likes of Sundin, Iginla, Spezza and others.

So quick to criticize, many people suggested thirteen and a half hours of “pat your own country on the back” coverage is simply too much to bear but with all the negative and troubling stories the media constantly focuses on, it’s refreshing to see a day’s worth of inspirational and feel good stories centered around an activity that continues to bring Canadians together like nothing else.

Hockey Day in Canada has taken on a life of its own since the tradition began eight years ago, especially in the small towns it has visited in recent years. So much more than just a broadcast now, Hockey Day brings with it hockey clinics, banquets, and former NHLers that help to recognize the work of so many people whose work otherwise goes unnoticed. With all the good this event does, really what is the purpose of complaining about it. If you don’t like it, don’t watch. Certainly nobody is forcing you. But hey, all that is just rigamarole.