Hockey, kids hockey

The hockey goalkeeper must have a lightning reaction, most often he has only half a second to react to the throw, since the speed of the running of the puck can reach a speed of 195 km / h. Although the history of modern hockey and has more than 120 years, but the image of the game to which we are accustomed today, did not appear immediately. For example, it was a rubber washer to play, it was proposed in 1879 by Canadian Robertson. Prior to this, for 4 years used a wooden counterpart. And the first washer was generally square. Also, the game underwent other changes – the appearance of the net on the goal (1900), the mask for the goalkeeper (1929).

Hockey, children’s hockey in Russia. Canada is considered to be the birthplace of this game. The first hockey match was held on March 3, 1875 at the Victoria skating rink in Montreal. In 1908 the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) was founded. Where Russian hockey players joined in the days of the Russian Empire (in 1911). Ice hockey was included in the program of the Olympic Games in 1920, first in the summer schedule, and only in the next games in the winter. Ice hockey is one of the most traumatic sports (almost 70% of professional players lost at least one tooth on the ice, not to mention more serious injuries). Participants never check for doping for traces of aspirin, drugs or alcohol in the blood. In addition to the well-known ice hockey, there are also hockey on the grass, under the ice, on roller skates, with a ball, a sled (designed for people with disabilities).

Currently, children’s and youth hockey in Russia is developing rapidly. Sports schools are being revived, hockey competitions are held among children of different ages, leagues are being created for holding tournaments (for example, the Youth Hockey League). Thanks to the rich traditions of hockey in our country, interest from the audience, the state and sponsors, the popularity of this sport, including children’s hockey, is growing from year to year.

The USSR national team won the respect of other countries in this sport, when for 27 years, starting in 1963, 22 times took the lead in international championships and Olympics. Russia had a 15-year break (since 1993) in victories, but since 2008 our team has again won gold awards more often than other countries. Hockey is a team game, but the strength of the team consists of the coordinated work of professional players. The national team of our country can boast such players, among them Yevgeny Malkin, Semyon Varlamov, Ilya Nikulin, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexey Emelin and others.