Why is hockey your favorite sport?

Growing up Canadian I remember mostly playing floor hockey, street hockey, ball hockey, air hockey, bubble hockey, video hockey.... Oh sure, we occasionally played football, and basketball was big where I grew up. But I also recall spending weekends down at the civic center watching friends and relatives play hockey. I found watching NHL boring as a kid, but about the right time in high school age the closest NHL team went to the final in the playoffs and I paid a bit more attention. Interest grew from then on.

I wasn't fortunate enough grow up close to an NHL team. I lived a 20 hour drive to the closest 2 teams. And not like I drove or had a car. I have never lived in an NHL city, but live about 3 to 5 hours away now. My first game was the first time I had the time and money. The next hockey season after graduating from post secondary. And I tend to go a couple games each year ever since.

The speed of the game is intriguing to me. I enjoy other sports (I am actually a high school and college umpire) but the pace of play in a football or baseball game simply isn't the same. Hockey requires 100% effort literally every second you are on the ice, one slight lapse and you create a tough situation for the goalie and/or the other 4 skaters on your team.

I attended my first game when there were literally only the Original 6.....as a kid I got to watch the likes of Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe in the 1960's at Olympia Stadium (nothing more than a warehouse with seats and ice).

Hockey is my favorite because it has a fast tempo, and it is the only sport that has fighting on ice and legal big hit to make the games more interesting. The game play is also very interesting to understand. My first game was when I was around 6 or 7 because the Boston Bruins sucked and they made kids free with every adult ticket.

I went to my first NHL game when I was 1. It was the Stanley Cup final when the Aves won against the devils. I love the game for many reasons. Firstly, I love how fast paced it is and aggressive. It is very hard to get bored when watching a game. Also, I grew up watching it and my family takes hockey very seriously. All my brothers play, my dad plays and coaches, and my grandpa founded the company Tackla so I guess it is in my blood.

It was never my forte until the fourth grade. My friend got me into it and I fell in love right away. What I love most is that all different types of people from different places can enjoy the same general idea of Hockey, whether you play ice, roller, dek, street, etc... there are people from all over the world who are capable of playing the sport they love. The game makes friendships, gives good memories, and is the most exciting and unpredictable game on Earth.

The reason is I am a Canadian. I think that is a requirement for citizenship.

First NHL game. 1936 Maple Leaf Gardens - Detroit - Toronto.

Wings won. Have been a Red Wing fan ever since. Even met Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio once.

The fact that you can fight. I wanted to play, but I couldnt skate. So I played lacrosse, the land version of hockey. And you might say that you can hit in football, but you cant drop your gloves and have a fist fight.

The pace and agressivness of the game is also a reason

I enjoy the speed and grit of the game and how it's unpredictable unlike say baseball for example. I started playing when I was 5, and went to my first NHL game when I was 7 and it was again the Quebec Nordiques (showing my age a little)

Because I am Canadian and we are trained to like hockey. I also played it growing up tons show I really do like watching and playing it. I understand it. It's great.

Hey i'm here for the first time. I came across this question and I find the replies really useful. I hope to offer something back and assist others too.