Hockey has changed.
In the past it might have made sense to pick up a 12-pack and watch the game. More recently it has become trendy to buy a couple of very hoppy beer, you know, the type that makes Guinness seem light. This was an appropriate beverage selection in the past when hockey was about intimidation and fans wanted to watch fights. Hockey has changed.
How has hockey changed?
- Increased focus on skill
- Coaches treat players like humans
- Analytics
- Players get big contracts at a younger age
- Personality of players
- How teams are built and where players come from
- Salary-cap
- More educated viewers
Hockey has turned into a very sophisticated sport that requires an understanding of finance, management, skill-development, strategy, and the larger issues that impact the world. Yet, there is still a tradition that exists, a history that is rich, and a set of signs, code, language, and symbols that only those who follow hockey know. This is the same with wine.
Hockey WineUp team members understand that change is good, but it takes effort to understand the change. This is why they choose to change the beverage they drink with hockey and are ready to start their own journey of understanding wine through hockey.
© 2025 Nicholas Shalagan and Hockey WineUp. All rights reserved. Hockey WineUp is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHL or its teams.
hockeywineup.com 