Puck Paradise: Boston Is The Best City For Hockey Fanatics
Hockey fans are a passionate bunch. From the moment they step into the arena, they bring the energy. Decked out in gear, hockey fans exude passion as they cheer, shout, and embrace the rollercoaster of emotions that each game brings. But which city is the best for hockey fans?
WalletHub, the personal finance website released its latest report on the best cities for hockey fans. How did they figure out which cities are a dream come true for hockey lovers? They compared 75 U.S. cities based on two divisional categories, professional and college hockey, across 21 key metrics. The data set ranges from the performance level of the city’s teams to minimum season ticket prices to stadium capacity.
Boston is the #1 best city for hockey fans.
Boston took home the gold for hockey fans, claiming the top spot. Interestingly, it outshines Pittsburgh, which takes 2nd, and Detroit which ranked 3rd. New York secured fourth place. Boston racked up impressive scores for NHL Teams Performance, but the report also pointed out that city has one of the steepest NHL Game Ticket Price Averages.
Other Massachusetts cities like Amherst (49), Cambridge (54), Waltham (58), Springfield (59), Lowell (61), North Andover (66), Worcester (72), and even Easton (72) all made their mark in the rankings too.
What about the worst cities for hockey fans?
According to the site’s latest list, Tempe, Arizona and Burlington, Vermont seems to be not-so-great cities for hockey fans. They landed right at the bottom of the rankings. Tempe secured the 74th spot and Burlington didn’t fare much better at 75 ranking.
Check out their full ranking and report here.
What Are Boston's Most Iconic Jersey Numbers?
“What number do you want?” A youth coach will ask on the first day of the season. It’s common for players to respond with the number of their favorite player. That got us thinking:bwhat is Boston’s most iconic jersey number in professional sports?
Sometimes uniform numbers are assigned at random. Other times, a star player can demand “their number.” Boston is such a rich market in terms of sports legacy. And some numbers are closely associated with iconic players. In baseball for example, Ted Williams was a pioneer of the game. Even former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, who grew up in Texas before playing for the Chargers and Saints, referenced Ted Williams when asked why he wore #9.
Inside The Numbers
Boston has a plethora of Hall of Fame players in all sports. There’s certainly a great list of numbers to pick from in terms of those worthy of being labeled legendary. In compiling a list of just six selections, we specifically looked for numbers that were made historic in multiple professional sports. They were typically shared by great players. These athletes not only left a mark within their own franchise, but also across the sport in general. Each of these numbers is also directly tied to championships. The players who wore them often were part of teams that won it all.
Many of these numbers are now retired within their respective sports. Though new generations of professionals may not be able to select them, athletes across the world will continue to wear them proudly within their programs. These retired numbers are not shelved, as they can carry a deeper meaning here for those who aspire to be like the pros who made them famous.
Honorable Mention
Before we proceed with the list of Boston’s most iconic jersey number, we must give a nod to Bill Russell’s (and Johnny Pesky) #6. Carl Yastrzemski and Cam Neely’s #8, and Ray Bourque’s infamous #77.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.