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20+ ways to play? Exploring Hockey’s Global Variations

Also uncover this weeks Penguins kit, an athlete who holds 13 world records, and the latest chess world championship results.

December 10, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Pre-match briefing

Ringette. Air hockey. Field hockey. Floorball. Inline hockey. Broomball. Underwater hockey. Underwater ice hockey. Unicycle hockey. Why on EARTH does hockey have so many variations?! This week, we’ll be finding out exactly that. Here’s what the scout has in store for us:

  • Athlete of the week: Christian Redl

  • Venue of the week: Montreal Forum

  • Kit of the week: Pittsburgh Penguins’ home jersey

  • Sport of the week: Sledge Hockey

Kick-off
🏒 Why does hockey have so many variations?

Hockey is one of the most adaptable sports, with its variations reflecting diverse cultures, climates, and creativity. Give people a stick, an object to hit, and some space, and they’ll invent a version of hockey faster than you think. The game’s core principle though remains; using a stick to control an object.

Ice hockey, for instance, thrives in colder regions, with over 1.6 million registered players worldwide donning skates to chase a puck. Meanwhile, field hockey is played in over 100 countries and claims a spot as one of the most popular sports globally, especially in places where ice is more likely to be found in drinks than underfoot.

Add roller hockey, where wheels meet sticks, and underwater hockey—a sport so niche it makes you wonder, “Who thought this was a good idea?” (Answer: the British Navy divers in the 1950s). Then there’s Street hockey, Unicycle hockey, and Air hockey (the lazy cousin, perfect for arcade warriors who refuse to break a sweat).

But why so many variations? Accessibility and adaptability. Ice hockey needs arenas and expensive gear, but ball or street hockey? Just a stick, a ball, and some imagination. Even underwater hockey only requires a pool, fins, and a willingness to look ridiculous. The numbers back it up: over 30 million people participate in some form of hockey annually, proving that this sport can thrive anywhere!

Hockey’s versatility doesn't stop there. With parallels like floorball, broomball, and ringette, and predecessors like shinty and bandy, the stick-sports family tree is packed with offshoots that reflect its universal appeal.

What’s the most unusual version of hockey you’ve seen?

Scout’s Overview
📡 🚨 Weekly Sports Radar: Sledge Hockey

Sledge hockey, also known as para ice hockey, is a form of ice hockey designed for athletes with physical disabilities. The sport was first developed in Sweden in the 1960s and made its Paralympic debut in 1994.

The sport follows many of the same rules as traditional ice hockey, with teams of six players each (five skaters and a goalie) competing to score more goals than the opposing team.

The key difference is the equipment: players use specialized sleds with two blades and dual-ended sticks to propel themselves and control the puck. What’s cool about this is the fact that it uses sleds instead of wheelchairs like many other para-sports.

Athlete of the week: Christian Redl

Venue of the week: Montreal Forum

Christian Redl is an Austrian freediver and 13-time world record holder in various disciplines of underwater diving.

Fun Fact: He created his own sport, underwater ice hockey, where teams play ice hockey on the other side of the ice surface (upside-down).

The Montreal Forum is a historic sports and entertainment venue, famously known as the former home of the Montreal Canadiens.

Fun fact: It has hosted 24 Stanley Cup-winning teams, more than any other arena in NHL history.

🧤 Fit Check: Pittsburgh Penguins 2024 Home Jersey

The Pittsburgh Penguins have thrown it back to the 1990s with this kit- and we’re not complaining! The colors and iconic logo come together to form an overall stellar jersey.

Please send us your suggestions for next week’s fit check!

From the bench
🗞️ In case you were injured:

  • The 2024 F1 season is over, with Max Verstappen winning his 4th consecutive drivers’ title, and McLaren winning the constructors' title.

  • The World Chess Championship is currently drawn 6-6 between Ding Liren (defending champion) and Gukesh Dommaraju (challenger).

🎯 In over-time:

  • A goalkeeper scored a header in the last minute during an FA Cup match.

  • 16-year-old sensation, Gout Gout, ran the fourth-fastest under-18 100m of all time.

📊 Analyst’s Corner: How to grow sports?

Thank you for reading The Gameplan! This wraps up our 5th edition, and we’ll see you next week. If you enjoyed reading The Gameplan, consider forwarding it to your friends & family! If you have some ideas, email us at [email protected].

Signing out,
Wasay (brother #2)

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