The World Series is over.  Hockey is officially the King of Canada again.  Not that the throne was ever in jeopardy.  Baseball thought it was King but that was only an illusion.  In Canada, Hockey is the ONLY sport.  I’m a basketball fan myself.  (Kind of a rebel that way.)  I don’t play by Canada’s rules…  Although I am a pretty big hockey fan as well.

Speaking from a professional stand point, this is the time of year when hockey is on my network all the time.  There’s no escaping it.  Just last night we put 4 separate games featuring all 6 Canadian teams on television.  I’m surrounded by hockey 12 hours a day.  (For the record, I’m not complaining.)

It got me thinking about another classic and the 2nd entry in the Rainy Sunday collection, The Mighty Ducks.  Here’s another movie I could watch over and over again.  I’d like to tell you a brief story.  A few days ago, I really wanted to watch this movie so I began scanning my collection.  After 2 or 3 scans, I couldn’t find it.  Had I loaned it out to someone?  Did the jerk not give it back?  Then I sat down and thought for a moment…  I don’t even own that movie.  How is that possible?  I need that box set immediately.

Growing up, nothing sparked more street hockey games than watching the Ducks battle the Hawks.  It takes me back to playing organized sports as a kid.  I never played hockey but Basketball, Baseball and Volleyball were always around.  These movies were flat out inspiring to young athletes.  Many of which are probably pros right now.  I’m willing to bet Sidney Crosby tried the flying V at some point in his life.

We all did.  Be honest, how many times did you try the patented triple deke growing up?  You remember it right?  1, 2, 3, triple deke… ding!  Awwwwwwwwww off the post again.

I’m a firm believer that there isn’t a single Canadian hockey player alive who hasn’t attempted the Knuckle Puck at some point.

There’s something familiar about these types of movies that unite large groups of people.  People who look back and remember quacking with other people and looking normal.  (FUN FACT: I just read that an actual duck quacking doesn’t echo.  Fact?  Myth?  You decide.)

I could watch Coach Bombay and District 5 any time.  (It’s ironic that currently I cannot.)  Even the sequel was amazing if not better.  D2 sent chills down my spine every time.  Stupid Gunnar Stahl.  I was lucky enough to win a few championships in various sports growing up and those movies are a way to travel back to those exciting times.  I still remember the pile ups and  singing “We Are The Champions”.  We did that because the Ducks did.  (Although they did it around a fire after winning the gold.)

Those memories stick with you for life.  So do movies that take you back again and again.

The Mighty Ducks.  Another worthy addition to Rainy Sundays.

PS: Flying V in NHL 09!

XTRA: The Final Rainy Sunday.  The Beauty of Lazy Day Movies