No Pink In The Rink

I want to clear something up with regards to our newly founded Facebook page and Twitter account:
First, I would like to say, I am not against pink jerseys for Women IF they are part of a project for the Hockey Fights Cancer month in October. I own a pink jersey (not the glitter one) BUT I made it a point to get an official jersey first. Of course, in my size, the only option I had at that time was to get a Child's L/XL unless I wanted to swim in my Men's Small jersey. That pink jersey hasn't seen the light of day for quite some time, I will wear it in October though, in support of my incredible Mother-in-law who is a 2 time Cancer survivor (Breast & Lymphoma).
The support our Facebook page has received in the past two days has been overwhelming. Thank you all for your support and discussion topics. I hope that the NHL can see that we female fans are not all PUCKBUNNIES, or in dire need of a be-dazzled, belly-baring, or glitter embellished merchandise to support our favorite team. We as women would spend WAY more on merchandise than men would because we would buy for our guys, significant others, and children. If only there were more options.
I do understand that there are women out there that LOVE this merchandise. This is FINE. More than acceptable, I need them to spend that money and support our teams. The problem I have is that the NHL only seems to cater to that demographic. As far as I can tell, when I go to Hockey games, I see waaaaaaay more ladies looking for REAL TEAM COLORS & REAL TEAM LOGOS in the Pro Shop. I do not see most of my female friends/ fans searching out sequins, jewels, and other such embellishments..... in fact, I usually see these items go to the 50% off rack near the end of the season. For a few of us on the petite side, we keep sneaking over to the men's section, hoping to find a SMALL, trying to make it work. IT NEVER DOES. The Men's fit is way too boxy, whether you are a small or XXL. We have curves, plain and simple. We need a cut that is flattering, YES we want to wear what the guys wear, just tailored to us!
The NHL needs to realize that we are a huge, viable, and SUSTAINABLE demographic for them. I know personally that my household spends a ton of money to support OUR favorite team, The Nashville Predators, and would spend more if I had options. Hubby can get away with just about anything in the store, but the Women's selection is ATROCIOUS.
Please NHL. Please listen to us. We are tired of this situation. Really tired. We don't need a $300.00 logo purse, be-jeweled tube tops, thongs with "Hockey Ho" on them, or glitter jerseys. These items have to be costing you a lot to produce and will sit on racks or in your storage for the season til you mark them down. I am willing to bet that some fringe fans WILL buy this merchandise, but that is probably the only item they will buy. Give me REAL LOGOS, REAL TEAM COLORS, and NO GLITTER, and I can promise you that I will purchase more. A LOT more. TRUST me....
Please follow us on Twitter for more updates, and see the community we are building.
@NoPinkInTheRink (official account for FB page)
@TigerPredsChick @Predsaddict @RachelAddison @ReinaDeLaIsla

Thank you also to our bloggers that are helping spread the word:
@Forechecker @PredsOnTheGlass @DiamondHockey @Cellblock303
we really appreciate it!

~Top Five reasons I LOVE Hockey~

I have been thinking long and hard about this whole "5 things I love about Hockey" thing, and it has been tough to come up with JUST five reasons..... Plus, when I tried to put them in order of importance, I couldn't. Then, just as the feeling of defeat was about to take over, my brain unlocked, and Eureka! The idea came to me as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. I'm not supposed to say the top five things I LOVE about Hockey, instead:
Here are my top 5 reasons to LOATHE Hockey:
Don't freak out, loyal followers, I haven't abandoned my beloved sport, just thought I would take a new twist on what everyone else was doing....

Here they are: My top 5 reasons why I loathe Hockey:

5. PUCK BUNNIES- We all know who they are and what they are about, as a female fan I hate that some people mistake me for one.... at least until they have spoken to me, then they find out how much passion I have for the game.

4. Limited availability of Merchandise. It seems like there are maybe 5-10 styles of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats available for purchase, and for those of us who aren't lucky enough to live in a "Real Hockey city" have even more limited choices to purchase. Even with the Internet it's VERY difficult to find something good-looking and new to add to the collection.

3. Having to buy a "special" package in order to see hockey games on my T.V. when I cannot BE at the game. In addition to being a partial season ticket holder (and paying MUCH MUCH MUCH too much money on those tickets, the gas money to and from those games, a Prius to avoid going broke because of the gas, and my need for Chipotle tacos and salsa before the game, I have to spend an additional arm and a leg just to see a Hockey game that features a team other than the Penguins or Capitals.....

2. The Lack of Respect for "Small Market" teams. Seems like the beginning of Hockey season also brings the new rumors of expansion teams losing so much money that they are going to move within the next season to a city that would "Support them more". Boo to that. As a Preds fan, I have been through what the Coyotes, Blue Jackets, and Islanders (and others) are currently fighting. Just because these teams are not in "Traditional Hockey towns" does not mean that they do not have loyal and dedicated fans. Maybe the teams need some help with marketing, hmmm.... maybe they should talk to me.

AND NOW- My top reason that I loathe Hockey.....
wait for it.......

wait for it........

wait for it........



#1. I LIVE THREE HOURS AWAY FROM THE NEAREST NHL ARENA

Yep, that's right. The same thing I say all the time. I live too far away from my passion. My month has to be planned out in advance, my car has to be fuel efficient, budgets have to be created, dogs have to have a baby-sitter, and sacrifices have to be made. It's all worth it in the end though, the long drive seems a little shorter after a win, and the community of friends that I have built and hope to maintain is mind-blowing.

One day I hope to live in my favorite NHL city (Nashville) and work for the team who has my heart. Maybe someday soon.......

So that's it, that's my Top 5 reasons I loathe Hockey. Really though, these are minor in the grand scheme of things, let's be honest, I LOVE HOCKEY, and really nothing could ever change that.
Counting down the days until Training Camp.....