Countdown to Sochi: 50 Days

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are only 50 days away from the start of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. In case you aren’t as excited as I am, I hope to get you pumped over the next 50 days for these Olympics, especially (obviously) the ice hockey tournaments.

Last time around, the men’s ice hockey competition took me (and the United States) by some degree of surprise. I was never a huge fan of international hockey, I just loved to follow my NHL teams. I don’t really know why… if some of you feel the same way now, I understand. But something changed in 2010 and I’ve never viewed hockey the same way since. For some reason, quite possibly because my favorite NHL player was the star of that tournament, I really got into the Olympics that year. I will never forget watching every USA game with my family and my boyfriend. I literally leapt off my couch in celebration of goals. I literally sobbed in heartbreak after defeat. And I would do it all again.

I have been measuring the last 4 years in terms of how close we are to these upcoming Olympic Winter Games, and we are finally only 50 days away.

Beyond the expansion of my own love of hockey, the typical American (non-hockey fan) got a taste of our incredible sport in the last Olympics. There tends to be a very strong opinion that this game only belongs to one country. And yes, Canada loves their hockey in more ways than most Americans can even comprehend. I was born and raised in Florida, not your typical hockey hotbed. I didn’t grow up with a rink in my backyard. I was lucky enough to come from a family who already loved hockey; but a lot of Americans, especially in non-traditional markets like my own, do not have that luxury. Sadly, hockey ranks low on the typical American’s sports spectrum. I want to see that change.

I have always wanted to see that change. Here in South Florida, and across my country, I want to see hockey flourish. I think the Olympics can help make that happen. Last time around, even though the United States lost, the men’s hockey team got national attention. Ryan Miller went on Ryan Seacrest, something completely out of his element, which spoke volumes about what USA’s performance in Vancouver had done for the sport across America. “That’s a completely different world to us, to suddenly be thrust into the spotlight” said Miller of the experience on Seacrest. “It’s been good for the game in that way. We don’t get many of these moments where we are at the forefront. It’s usually football, basketball, or baseball, and if we don’t take advantage, people won’t find out about what we feel is the greatest game.”

For me, it isn’t completely about Team USA or Team Canada… it’s about the love of hockey for everyone, everywhere. As hockey fans, we know how great this sport is. When other people get the chance to see it, they can’t help but fall in love too.