User:Cgrif095/sandbox

Summary
Ice Hockey is a game played on an ice rink in which two teams of six players on skates use curved sticks to try to shoot a puck into the opponent's goal. However, one would be remiss in ignoring the aggression that exists within the rink. [Ice hockey] is a violent game, the puck is often taken from a player by means of a hit to the body, called a check. This aggression is most noticeable to those who are not acclimated to the game. Hockey has a unique culture to that of other popular North American sports.

Off-Ice Culture
Hockey players distinguish themselves from other athletes through the use of a self-created culture.

Hair style
Hair styles are a simplistic, but effective means of acquiring an identity. They are used by hockey players to appease superstitions, trends, and for utility purposes.

Mullets
Recognizing a hockey player for having a mullet is like recognizing a dog for fetching a bone. Although mullets are not as prevalent in 2014, it is widely accepted that the mullet was adopted among hockey players in the mid 70’s as a way to accommodate the tight fitting hockey helmets worn while playing ice hockey. The mullet's popularity grew and its infamy still exists today. Jaromir Jagr is so renowned for his mullet that he has his own fan club called the Jags. These members attend NHL games sporting jerseys of the teams Jagr had played for, as well as wigs commemorating his infamous hair.

Flow
Flow is considered to be a greased up version of the mullet. It is usually referred to as long, wavy or curly hair, which can give someone flow. Its practical utility is to flow out the back of the hockey helmet, but its social purposes are to look cool and have a blast styling their hair <OMHA news Gongshow, describes flow as a lifestyle, and as a rite of passage to stay in favour with the hockey Gods. hockey writers</ref] Flow is used as a symbol to further distance hockey players from other people not associated with the sport.

Playoff beards
The tradition of playoff beards started in the 1980s by the New York Islanders. To date it has been considered to be bad luck to shave the playoff beard before your team has been eliminated or has won the Stanley Cup.

Slang
Hockey slang serves two purposes. The first serves mostly utilitarian purposes as the terminologies were constructed to talk specifically about the game of hockey. Terms such as: Slot - The prime scoring area up the middle of the ice, between the face-off circles in the attack zone. This is where you will find “snipers” like Brendan Shanahan. Saucer pass - A saucer pass is an airborne pass from one player to another. It is called a saucer pass because the puck resembles a flying saucer in mid air. Five-hole - The hole between the goalie’s leg pads. If a player scores a goal and the puck went in between the goalie’s pads; the puck went through the five-hole. Hold significance when addressing particular elements of the game. However, there is a plethora of slang that has no correlation to actual game itself. Terms such as: Rocket - A good looking girl Gagger - throwing in or having a chew Gutty - someone being gutless Are terminologies that are traditionally used and hold meaning exclusively to the hockey community.

Gongshow/Apparel
Gongshow embodies the hockey culture. It provides “a brand that accurately represented what hockey players were all about.” This brand was started by a “couple of lads (who were) inspired by the distinct lifestyle hockey players lived, they had the idea to make some buckets with Gongshow Hockey stitched on the front for their hockey buddies to rock around town.” From there the brand took off and they now serve hockey players from around the world. Gongshow provides various articles of clothing that are catered specifically to those living the hockey player lifestyle. The most common piece of clothing would be ‘buckets’ or caps that help maintain the integrity of their flow.