How is hockey related to sharks? It’s pretty simple; a professional hockey team joined the NHL in 1991 as the San Jose Sharks. The name of this team was based on the fact that seven species of sharks live in the Bay area. In fact, qualities related to sharks have represented those shared by this hockey team. After all, sharks are ruthless, determined, fast, agile, brilliant and fearless. These qualities were also applied to the character of the team and its players.
From being the worst team in the league for the first two seasons, they are now known as a fiercely competitive team that made the playoffs in 2006-2007. They face the Detroit Red Wings to advance to the next round. In addition to sharing the same dream, which is to play the last game of the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup as league champions for the season, their followers also share a peculiar custom.
What habit am I talking about? Well, throwing sea creatures onto the ice during the game. While Red Wings fans toss octopuses onto the ice as a sign of support, a San Jose Sharks fan tossed a huge leopard shark onto the ice during the game on May 2, 2007, a game they lost to the Red Wings.
In what other ways are the San Jose Sharks related to sharks? Okay, let’s see. The HP Pavilion that they actually play their home games on is also known by its popular nickname, The Shark Tank. His pet is also a shark named SJ Sharkie, who is quite popular with the kids, both in the arena and on the team’s official website.
Among other light-hearted habits, San Jose Sharks players make a grand entrance on the ice by entering the rink by throwing a giant shark’s mouth. Fans of this team also enliven the main Jaws theme by making special arm gestures that represent the chewing motion of a shark’s mouth.
The San Jose Sharks team is also responsible for a special initiative called The Sharks Foundation, whose main goal is to help local youth by providing financial support to various youth groups. This foundation was created in 1994.
Although you wonder how a hobbyist could sneak into a huge leopard shark carcass under his clothes, you also question such a habit as it could affect shark species if hobbyists were to adopt this habit as it is not only cruel to animals but could eventually affect some species of sharks. Why not use rubber sharks? It doesn’t smell bad, it’s easier to transport, and it could become a souvenir in the San Jose Sharks store, becoming a good source of profit for this team without negatively affecting the Sharks.
Let’s make encouraging a good habit and enjoy the fun associated with it. After all, players probably don’t like sharing the ice with shark carcasses and it also represents a time delay for both players and fans. Let’s enjoy the game in a good way.
