Welcome to our first annual hockey debate on General Forum. The first topic will be about hockey in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Was it easier to play in that ERA than it was in the 90's or 00's?
I believe that hockey was really challenging back then, just like it is today. First off, you had the travelling conditions, which were brutal, they travelled by trains, or some people just drove to the arena's. Compare that to today's travelling which is first class, you get what you want. Your treated like a king on that flight.
Back then, you didn't have the training they have today, they weren't told the proper nutrions to keep in shape. They didn't have the work out equipement today, which is one of the reasons why some of these guys are strong then what some of those guys were back in the old age of hockey.
A lot of the players in the 50's, 60's and so on had to jobs, because they couldn't afford to live by only the hockey salary. They worked a full eight hour shift, then went on to play hockey during the night time, they did this all year long. They were tired, but still went on to put on a show when they played hockey.
The pads, sticks, gears are much more adapt today, especially the sticks, do you see the curves some of these players have today? It's unbelievable. That's a huge advantage for the players today. Also the sizes of the goalies today, no wonder a lot of them are known as great goaltenders. You put Giguere, Snow beside Plante or Bower, and you'll see a major different.
One thing I will agree on is, that it was a bit easier to score on the goalies back during the old ERA, but not as much as people it out to be. If you look at old tapes of Richard, Howe, Believeau, Orr, Boom Boom and so many more, you'll see that these guys knew how to score in the net, they had sick stick handling moves that you see players use today. Their shots might not be as hard as some players today, but the reason why Bernie Geofrrion nickname is Boom Boom is because when he took a slapshot and missed the net, the sound it made on the boards was like a gun being fired.
Another argument that a lot of people seem to be doing when comparing to players from today's game to old era is that players today are much bigger, faster, stronger. But I'll use an example, but there's so many more I could use. Jean Believeau was 6"3, 205 lbs, I am sure he could hold his own in today's game.
So all in all, I believe that most of the players back then could hold their own in today's game, with the training, new equipement, nutrion and traveling. As well that the game back then wasn't as easy as some people make it out to be.
I believe that hockey was really challenging back then, just like it is today. First off, you had the travelling conditions, which were brutal, they travelled by trains, or some people just drove to the arena's. Compare that to today's travelling which is first class, you get what you want. Your treated like a king on that flight.
Back then, you didn't have the training they have today, they weren't told the proper nutrions to keep in shape. They didn't have the work out equipement today, which is one of the reasons why some of these guys are strong then what some of those guys were back in the old age of hockey.
A lot of the players in the 50's, 60's and so on had to jobs, because they couldn't afford to live by only the hockey salary. They worked a full eight hour shift, then went on to play hockey during the night time, they did this all year long. They were tired, but still went on to put on a show when they played hockey.
The pads, sticks, gears are much more adapt today, especially the sticks, do you see the curves some of these players have today? It's unbelievable. That's a huge advantage for the players today. Also the sizes of the goalies today, no wonder a lot of them are known as great goaltenders. You put Giguere, Snow beside Plante or Bower, and you'll see a major different.
One thing I will agree on is, that it was a bit easier to score on the goalies back during the old ERA, but not as much as people it out to be. If you look at old tapes of Richard, Howe, Believeau, Orr, Boom Boom and so many more, you'll see that these guys knew how to score in the net, they had sick stick handling moves that you see players use today. Their shots might not be as hard as some players today, but the reason why Bernie Geofrrion nickname is Boom Boom is because when he took a slapshot and missed the net, the sound it made on the boards was like a gun being fired.
Another argument that a lot of people seem to be doing when comparing to players from today's game to old era is that players today are much bigger, faster, stronger. But I'll use an example, but there's so many more I could use. Jean Believeau was 6"3, 205 lbs, I am sure he could hold his own in today's game.
So all in all, I believe that most of the players back then could hold their own in today's game, with the training, new equipement, nutrion and traveling. As well that the game back then wasn't as easy as some people make it out to be.