Hey, women who are unfamiliar with hockey! Intrigued by the game and want to check it out but don't know where to start? As a woman who used to be unfamiliar with hockey myself, I'm here to help! Just follow these simple guidelines:
1. Develop an interest in hockey, despite the myriad assurances flying at you from all directions that it's too violent, too complicated, and not meant for you.
2. Find someone who knows hockey to watch some games with you and help you learn the basic rules. Based on my personal experiences with hockey fans outside the internet, there's about a 40% chance that this person will be female.
3. Tell your friends who are into hockey that you're getting into it too. Try to gracefully handle the men who joke about your desire to "get into" whatever player you name as your favorite. (Or handle them ungracefully. Depends how much you value the relationship. You're probably used to making that kind of call in your everyday life.)
4. Find some good hockey writers to follow. These will be more like 15-20% female. (Katie Baker is completely fabulous and should definitely be on your list. And even though she knows her shit cold, she gets the same crap you'll get.)
5. Watch a whole shitload of games. Google terms as you come across them. Pay attention to where the players are on the ice in relation to the puck. Learn the names of the best players, the GMs and coaches, and the different announcers. (None of these people will be female. None. 0%.)
6. Never, ever, ever click on anything from hockey PR or mainstream media that says it's written for women.
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