Hockey Night in Canada (layoffs, schools, university)

[AuburnAL]

So the other night at the local hockey game we were all talking about how it was fun, but we wondered what it would be like to go see a junior or minor league team play in a big game in Canada. Now that the idea is in my head I am considering trying to do this next season. Which team should I go see, and are there any rivalry games that would be better than others? I suspect an NHL atmosphere might be more laid back than I'm looking for (not to mention more expensive than I'm looking to pay to see anyone other than the Canucks), but I could be wrong about that.

[ThroatGuzzler]

Try to catch a Toronto Marlies vs Hamilton Bulldogs AHL game at the Ricoh, it gets pretty heated!

[lucknow]

Are you from Auburn Alabama? If you are that's a long way to go for a hockey game.
What part of Canada would you be interested in visiting. Almost all of the major junior A hockey is really good. There are a few different leagues like the OHL, Ontario hockey league which in which the Erie Otters play, LOL last time I checked Erie was in PA.

There's the WHL, Western hockey league and the major junior league in Quebec.
I chear for the St. Catherines ice dogs. They made the playoffs and I'm looking forward to the games.

[Stubblejumper]

As has been said, there's a few different major junior leagues in the country - WHL, OHL, QMJHL...

Personally, I'll always be a Swift Current Broncos (WHL) fan. Can't go wrong with a team that brought the world Tiger Williams (and Joe Sakic). If you ever make it out to watch them, do it when Medicine Hat's in town. Things always get interesting. There's likely lots of similar rivalries throughout the country. The only other I know enough about to suggest though is Moose Jaw and Regina (also WHL).

[Acajack]

Your best option is probably to try and attend the World Junior Hockey Championships when they take place in Canada. As it happens, the next ones will be in Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta in the last days of December 2011 and the first days of January 2012 (the holiday season). The atmosphere is always electric, especially when Canada is playing.

Barring that, any of the playoff games of any of the major junior leagues would be fun to attend. Especially each of the three league championship series, as well as the Memorial Cup tournament that follows with each of the three league winners playing for the national championship. The preliminary rounds leading up to this have just started - at least in the Quebec and Ontario leagues.

The wind down to the Memorial Cup is about the closest thing Canada has to NCAA March Madness, as far as amateur sports are concerned.

[mikeyyc]

Originally Posted by Acajack

The wind down to the Memorial Cup is about the closest thing Canada has to NCAA March Madness, as far as amateur sports are concerned.

Except that the CHL isn't actually amateur. The CIAU, or whatever they're called this week are the university atheletes. Of course they don't hold a candle to the CHL.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by mikeyyc

Except that the CHL isn't actually amateur. The CIAU, or whatever they're called this week are the university atheletes. Of course they don't hold a candle to the CHL.

OK, but can NCAA be considered amateur?

[mikeyyc]

Their atheletes are. The Schools and the organization are the biggest pimps of talent there is.