The Best Game
As proud Canadians, we agree with Stompin’ Tom’s credo ‘the good old hockey game is the best game you can name’.
So as soon as possible after Jack or Jill arrives (age two weeks for some), dad plops baby in front of the TV and proclaims to be “watching the game with my kid”.
If the tickets were not $150 per seat, if the games weren’t sold out and if they weren’t all in the evenings (never mind the lack of “sit-down-ability” and short attention span of toddlers), we would take the kids to the real thing—a live professional hockey game with popcorn, cheering and loud music—to further instill the love of the game.
Looking for a better solution, we got some SavvyDads on board to investigate the Canadian Hockey League. By all accounts Major Junior hockey is just what you need for Junior’s pre-game conditioning.
Here’s the SavvyDad ‘Good To Know’ on this league:
Good Value – ticket prices and concession items are cheap (like between $10 and $15 cheap) so you can justify only staying for half the game if the kids don’t last
Good Timing – games are often played on weekend afternoons so you can get the kids to bed and watch the NHL game later on in peace
Good Venues – smaller arenas allow for kids to get closer to the action (and with 48 teams in 8 provinces, there’s bound to be one near you)
Good Star Access – easy to get autographs…which kids love
Good Show – top tier hockey…and don’t forget the Zamboni®, everyone’s favourite ice resurfacing machine
So get your game face on. For great hockey and affordable family fun, SavvyDads recommend that the puck drops here (on the CHL).
Information on team schedules across Ontario can be found on the Ontario Hockey League site (whose slogan “Now This Is Hockey” says it all).
Outside Ontario, check out the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League .
P.S. In Toronto and want to get the next ‘next one’ out on the ice? For times and conditions click here.