The Puck Story
(photo: Reuters)
The gear is put away. The ice is melting. Another season of hockey has passed.
When it comes to this column, I write about it all. Today’s column is all about the famous and unknown world of the ‘puck.’ Follow me into the rounded world of this black object that carries so much weight between grown men.
My love of this game also includes the equipment. When I was much smaller, I wrote to my local hockey team and asked for the last game’s puck. I was crushed when I received a list of items and their price tags. I never got that puck.
I find myself today watching a game, but totally focusing on that puck. The world can destroy itself as long as it doesn’t touch the puck. To me, that small round disk is mesmerizing – and when it is covered by players or if the goalie is lying on it, I, like others, stand up and strain my eyes to find it. Thousands of grown people scream, cheer, or cry all because of a little black disk and where it slides!
For the love of the game and the little black disk, here are some little facts about the ‘puck!’
- The earliest games were played outside. The earliest pucks were made from frozen cow dung. Glad the games were outside!
- By 1885, most games were played indoors and the pucks were sliced-up Lacrosse balls.
- The first time the word ‘puck’ was used was February 7th, 1876. That is considered its birthday.
- The fastest shot on record is 114 m.p.h. from KHL player Alexander Ryazantseu.
- One of the most expensive pucks cost $50,000 in 1996 and it was made by Fox TV. A microchip was placed into one to light it up so fans could see it better. As you know, it didn’t work out. The players complained and the fans were outraged.
- An average of 12 pucks are used in one game. In 1979, a single puck was used in one game and it is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The world of the ‘puck’ is a dangerous and cold one. To me, it is amazing that the world focuses on that rubber disk for 6 months of the year.
‘Till the next time the puck drops!
Rochelle Bergman
