NHL in danger of losing young fans

As an avid Canadiens fan living in Toronto (born and raised in Verdun), my fiveyear-old daughter is aware of the changing seasons — temperatures get cooler, nights become longer, and Daddy watches hockey on television. This morning my daughter asked a very innocent question: “Daddy, why are you not watching hockey on TV anymore? I thought you liked watching hockey on TV.”

Not knowing how to reply to a five-year-old about the complexities of labour relations between wealthy owners and rich players, I replied: “The hockey players and their boss- es who own the ice rinks and arenas are discussing how to make the game better for you and your three-year-old brother for the future.” Yes, I lied.

I agree with Pat Hickey it is time for a new league based on what the fans want and what is needed to maintain and build support for the future (Gazette, Oct. 31, “It’s time to build a new hockey league”). Otherwise, fans like my children will turn away from the game forever. Fans like me will likely return to watching the NHL whenever both sides decide to play again, but my children and current teens — who have had to endure multiple strikes, lockouts and lost seasons — are those the league and players should be concerned about.

It is already unaffordable for me to take my children to an NHL game with the current ticket and concession prices. Let’s hope for the sake of the future of the game that this labour dispute is resolved soon. The NHA became the NHL a hundred years ago, so maybe it is time to make another drastic change for the sake of the game. Michael Prokaziuk

Toronto