Out of the four major sports in America, hockey normally finds itself at the bottom in terms of popularity. Unlike Canada, hockey never captured the hearts of America the way sports like baseball, football, and basketball were able to do. There are a variety of factors to this. Whether it be not having access to local ice rinks or the equipment being so expensive, hockey just isn't a common sport for American kids to play.
However, there are a few areas of the country that go against this trend. These have become a hotbed for some of the best hockey talent in the world. None of them is more impactful to hockey than the city of Boston. Whether it's cheering on the Bruins or watching one of the many collegiate programs in the area, Boston plays a significant role in the American hockey world. But how did this come to be?
How Boston has shaped hockey culture in the United States
Hockey wasn't the first ice sport to be played in Massachusetts and the Boston area. Before the game was introduced to the region in the 1890s, the most popular winter sport was a game called Ice Polo. The game was very similar to hockey, with the significant differences being the equipment worn by players, as well as using a ball rather than a puck.
The sport of hockey wasn't introduced to the region until two Harvard students tried to bring the sport to the area. After a couple of failed attempts, Harvard created a team in 1898, following the lead of several other Ivy League teams. Although the Crimson lost to Brown 6-0, hockey was an instant hit. The popularity of the game made Harvard play games more regularly. It also inspired schools like MIT to start playing the game as well.
The popularity of sports exploded during the early 1900s. During that time, more ice rinks were built, including Boston Arena. It was the first artificial ice rink in Massachusetts, and the oldest hockey arena still in use. This gave the hockey teams in the area a boost as there was now a permanent rink to play on. This caused more colleges, as well as high schools, to begin picking up the game and supporting teams.
After the explosion of collegiate and high school hockey in the region, professional leagues tried to capitalize on this interest. The first to come was the Bruins in 1924. While they've been the most successful and stable franchise, they were not the only ones to play in the region. There were teams set up in Springfield, Fitchburg, Lowell, North Adams, and Worcester. However, none of them were able to gain the popularity the Bruins did.
This love of hockey has only grown since then. Today, hockey is a significant part of the culture in Boston. Every young American who wants to play hockey professionally goes to the Boston area to play at one of the historic programs. It's become a hotbed for some of the best hockey the country has to offer. While places like Minnesota like to call themselves the hockey state, Boston will forever be the most critical area for American hockey.