One of the biggest contributors to global warming is air travel, and a NHL team logged an average of 40,782 miles between games during the regular season in 2009-10. According to Carbonfund.org, that is about 300 metric tons of carbon emissions produced by the league from travel alone. Air travel emits more carbon emissions than powering the arena and cooling the ice, said Paul Burman, special projects manager for Carbonfund.org.
The NHL has taken proactive approaches to green awareness in the league with the NHL Green and the NHLPA Carbon Neutral Challenge. Teams such as the Washington Capitals travel by train and bus whenever possible, which generates less carbon emissions than air travel; and Caps players and fans walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation—the most carbon-friendly modes of transportation—to the Capitals’ practice facility, Kettler Capitals Iceplex, and the home arena, Verizon Center.
As the NHL and NHLPA have challenged players to go carbon neutral, the rest of hockey community should follow their example. Getting other hockey leagues on board in some capacity would have a greater environmental impact. By working with nonprofit organizations like the Carbonfund.org, hockey leagues can offset their carbon emissions whenever the team is unable to carpool or take public transportation to practices, games, and tournaments.
Carbonfund.org has helped 1,400 partners—including the first green professional sports team, the Maryland GreenHawks—to calculate, reduce and offset their carbon footprint. Like the GreenHawks, a professional basketball team, hockey teams can work with the nonprofit to offset home games and travel to away games, and learn conservation and efficiency measures that will lower their carbon footprint, eventually requiring less offsets.
The winning entry to “How I Became a Caps Fan” hosted by Scarlet Caps left some female Caps fans displeased. It seems that Caps fans lost out to Blackhawks fan, who ditched hockey for popularity.
Ramble Time and Ravings of a Rink Rebel posted their entries, and @JBlife21 shared her entry with Love the Game, on how they became fans of the Southeast Division champions:
If football is my live-in boyfriend, hockey is my soul mate. You see, I’m a southern girl and this southern girl luuuves her some college football. Like the live it, eat it and bleed it kind of love. Players, stats, teams; you name it, I can spout it. For most of my life it’s been my most stable relationship. Sure there’s been some heartache mixed in with the joy but it’s always been there for me like a warm pair of pajamas. I thought it would be like this forever. Just the two of us chilling in my imaginary Valhalla with the large flat screen TV, that sweet sound system, full bar complete with hot bartender and that oh so comfy couch. I never guessed that my life was about to be so drastically altered. Well, sometimes life takes you where you don’t mean to go.
It was in February of 2008 when I had my very first hockey experience. Looking back, I thank the hockey gods that it was a Caps game. Bruce had just taken over and the team had started to win games. A very knowledgeable hockey friend offered to go to a game with me. I jumped at the chance being that I knew absolutely nothing about hockey. Caps tickets were (still) cheap, beer was plentiful and I had someone who could explain to me that icing was not something you put on a cake.
It was love at first sight.
The speed, the skill, the athleticism, the FIGHTS! I loved it all! (The team hotness factor didn’t hurt either.) The crash of the players bodies hitting the boards, the tangy smell of the cold ice, the absolute passion and excitement of Ovechkin when the Caps won the game. I was carried along on an emotional wave of absolute ecstasy. How could I possibly not have known about this game?! Why did no one tell me? It was a revelation akin to Leonsis parting the Sea of Red Rockers. Compared to hockey, football seemed like the degenerate step-sister. I left the game with an adrenaline high like I hadn’t experience in a very long time. I was breathless, elated and left wanting more and just like an addict, I was hooked.
I had a new love in my life. There were rough patches at first, but like all great relationships, this one only got better with age. As I got to know the team beyond the fancy stick moves and flashy glove saves, I learned that these players are not only great athletes, but even more amazing people. I was inspired by their passion and humility. I was endeared by their quirky personalities and their dedication and love for each other. From the players taking the time to talk to me while signing autographs to Nate answering my stupid questions on Twitter, this organization knows how to treat a girl well. I’ve met so many amazing players, staff members, media and fans along the way. If I truly had wanted to find the perfect soul mate, the Washington Capitals couldn’t have been a better choice.
And so football, my old and dear companion, I hope you can forgive this football fanatic turned hockey hooligan when she leaves you for another every September through June. I’ll be back in August, I promise. Well, unless it conflicts with training camp.
On March 2, the DC Council supported 18-421, a resolution (R18-0421) in support of 2011 NHL Winter Classic in the District of Columbia.
Introduced by Councilmember Muriel Bowser (Ward 4), R18-0421 contains several findings, including:
- 89 percent of those ethat voted in the online NBC Washington Sports poll were in favor of the District hosting the 2011 Winter Classic;
- the Washington Capitals are regarded as one of the NHL’s most popular and profitable franchises and as a favorite in the 2009-2010 season to win the Stanley Cup;
- the Metro is highly accessible for the game, with Metro stations located at both potential sites, the Nationals Park and RFK Stadium; and
- the District has a winter climate that compares with any other city in the Northeast.
The resolution expresses the sense of the Council that “the District of Columbia is the best city to host the Winter Classic because it is our nation’s capital, a world-renowned city, a historic city, and a city with a strong hockey fan base.” The resolution also states the Winter Classic “would be most advantageous for the District of Columbia.”
Councilmember Bowser said in a statement, “Our city is no stranger to large-scale sporting events. And the 2011 NHL Winter Classic would be a tremendous economic boon to our city. The District, with its great hotels and restaurants, is the best city to host the Winter Classic because it is our nation’s capital, a world renowned city, a historic city, and a city with a strong hockey fan base. The city also has many free cultural destinations for hockey fans to enjoy. There is no team hotter right now than the Washington Capitals in our city. The Caps currently have an extraordinarily high attendance record. As a city, we should seize on this momentum.”
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