The Omnibus

Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: The Forum

Comment on this article

I enjoy St. Louis Blues hockey, but I may not get the chance to see them, or any other professional hockey team, play this season. Currently, hockey players are on "lock-down," unable to play for this upcoming season.

Why are they on lock-down? It is because of money concerns. The proposed cap on player's salaries has caused a stir and made the players keep their skates off the ice. Even though I would like to see them play, I do not think hocket players need any more money.

In general, I do not feel this money issue is right. In a society where the working poor stay below the poverty line, we do not need professional athletes earning millions upon million of dollars. Just one professional athlete could put all of us through college.

If these players were furthering the lives of others, then the high salaries would almost be justifiable. However, they are only playing a sport. I do not feel slapping a hockey puck around with a stick justifies a high salary.

It must be the life for them, gettng paid millions to play a sport they love, while the rest of Americans work 40 plus hours a week, never seeing a paycheck even close to what athletes earn.

Sure, there are some players who would still get out there and play for nothing because they are doing something they love. Unfortunately, those numbers are few, showing money still rules the roost.

If the owners and players could find some even ground on which to stand, then this problem would already be solved. The owners would allow the players back to get back on the ice to play the beloved Canadian sport of hockey.

Hockey fans wiould be dressed in their favorite players jersey, waiting for those three periods of guys skating and fighting on ice. The Stanley Cup would await its new owners and the rounds of games played in the pursuit of owning it.

Until that time, National Hockey League practice facilities will remain empty and zamboni drivers will have nothing to do.

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