Hockey has really kicked off in America in the past few years, especially after the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. The Gold Medal game in 2010, USA vs Canada, drew a record audience of 27.6 million people. This was the most viewed game since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” game where the US faced the USSR. Since 2010, the NHL has brought the three most viewed games in Stanley Cup Final history, in 2010, 2011, and 2013. People have certainly begun to appreciate the fast paced, hard hitting, physical, skill-based, game that hockey is.

It is January 28th, 2014. We are just 10 days away from the beginning of what I believe is going to be, yet another amazing tournament of hockey. The best of the best are all meeting in Sochi, Russia. Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Joe Pavelski, the Sedins, and every other big name you can think of. When these players get the amazing opportunity to play for their country, a whole new side of them comes out. Olympic hockey brings out the best in everybody participating. The game of hockey will continue to grow at the conclusion of these winter games, and people will be itching for the next Olympic’s contest.

Team Canada will be defending it’s Gold Medal from the last Olympics, and team USA, Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia, and Finland will all certainly be in the hunt for this year’s medal. Slovakia, Austria, Norway, Slovenia, and Latvia, may not be considered huge contenders this year, but as we have seen on numerous occasions, anything is possible in this game.

If you are not huge on hockey, you certainly will be after these games. We are certainly in for one hell of a ride.