Someone Finally Said It

After keeping a suitcase packed for the early part of his professional career, it seems Eric Comrie has found a home with the Winnipeg Jets... again. He's been through the city before as this is his third stint with the team, but it should be noted that a guy like Comrie is more than a backup netminder. If there was a list for genuinely good people in the NHL, Eric Comrie would make the cut in my books. The Edmonton native always has a smile on his face, and he seemingly enjoys making other people smile as well.

Comrie spoke to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press today, and his comments on the state of the game are proof that the cost of playing hockey is entirely prohibitive for kids and parents. That's not to say that Comrie isn't benefitting from the game's financial advantages, but hearing an NHL player talk about the struggle to meet the costs associated with game as openly as he did is refreshing in a time where hockey players are being paid a premium.

Comrie's comments are below. For a guy who isn't hurting financially, this is a pretty remarkable statement. Click to enlarge the image.

It's hard to argue that Comrie is wrong about the financial burden it is for parents and kids to play hockey. While it's been some time since I needed a new stick, I used to pick up a wood twig from a local sports store for less than $50. Today, those options don't even exist as sticks, skates, and equipment are all pricey investments.

I honestly have no idea how we lost sight of the importance of simply getting kids to play. There has been a significant shift towards hockey academies and touring teams which prevents kids from simply discovering the game at their local community center. Buying all the ncessary equipment for one season only to hear your child say he or she doesn't want to continue playing is a heavy financial setback. In both cases, it's not like it once was where skates, a stick, and puck was enough for any player to join the local game at the outdoor rink or on a river or pond. Even just getting skates is an investment now!

Comrie is right in that if we want more kids playing the game, we have to lower the costs to get them through the door. I've spoken about this before, but the costs of hockey is entirely prohibitive for me to play beer league hockey. I can't imagine buying new gear every few years for a growing child, and the cost for goaltenders is even more ridiculous. I'm not saying that's why Canada is in a goalie drought right now, but it could be part of the reason.

Companies like CCM, Warrior, and Bauer will tell you that they pour obscene amounts of money into research and development to come up with their latest new piece of equipment or stick, but a shin pad is a shin pad. As long as it doesn't shatter if I block a shot, that's the standard. If I'm an NHL player, I likely do want stronger and lighter, but my NHL days are long gone. Blocking shots are more because I couldn't get out of the way rather than purposefully being in the way. I want that shin pad to protect me more than anything else.

Do eight year-old kids really need carbon fibre shin pads? This is where these equipment manufacturers could start to work with low-cost retailers to put more equipment into the hands of families so their kids can try the game to see if they may have a Crosby or McDavid at home. While there are some programs like the NHL/NHLPA First Shift program and Canadian Tire's The Big Play program that either provide or help offset costs for equipment, the fact that programs like these haven't pushed an uptick in kids' hockey registrations means that there's still not enough being done.

I commend Eric Comrie for saying the quiet part out loud, and I really hope that he can participate more with the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy where those players are given a chance to break through some of the barriers that normally keep other kids out of hockey. However, his point where he said, "[i]t's ridiculous how expensive it is and it kind of grosses me out thinking about how hard it is for kids to play this game" hits the bulls-eye dead center.

If NHL players are speaking out about the costs of equipment, you know things are getting out of hand. I don't know if Eric Comrie's comments will prompt any changes, but my hope is that someone is listening so that we can try to get more kids playing the game.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!