Skating outdoors has always been a special memory of many NHL players. Now, scientists in Canada are suggesting that the future of hockey — and outdoor skating in particular — could be threatened by the warmer winters caused by climate change.
Canadian researchers have determined that global warming has caused a "significant decrease" in the length of skating season over the last 50 years, after examining data from 142 meteorological stations around the country. Futhermore, they worry that the future of the sport is at risk, considering the future stars of tomorrow won't have a chance to skate outside.
Researchers from McGill University and Concordia University calculated the average start and end date of the outdoor skating season in Canada and warn that a complete end to outdoor skating might be looming in the near future for parts of Alberta and British Columbia.
"It is hard to imagine a Canada without outdoor hockey, but I really worry that this will be a casualty of our continuing to ignore the climate problem," researcher Damian Matthews said.
