Found this interesting entry at Globe & Mail staffer James Mirtle's blog. Basically, a listing of how many kilometers each NHL team will travel this season. In a nutshell, Vancouver will travel the most (87,440 km) while New Jersey travels the least (38,815). I'm not sure how the calculations were derived (airport-to-airport distance? arena-to-arena distance) and whether the author assumed direct flights in every case. Plus I'm pretty sure teams like the Devils don't fly to road games against the Rangers or Islanders. But regardless, it's really interesting.
The circumference of the Earth at the equator is about 40,000km. So, the Canucks travel schedule this year sees them fly the equivalent of more than twice around the equator. Kinda makes that 2,441km Portland-to-Brandon WHL bus ride seem like a nice short commute, doesn't it?
Well, except that NHL teams fly first class on chartered flights, and stay in individual suites in five-star hotels. WHL kids ride the iron lung and stay two to a room at Motel 6. Plus the longest single flight an NHL team would have to make (say, Vancouver to Miami? Anaheim to Montreal?) probably takes less time than it takes the Cougars to bus down to Kamloops - which is their shortest trip of the season.
But, add this to the list of things I want to do for fun but probably never will: figure out what the total kilometerage is for each WHL team in one season.
3 comments:
Do the players keeop their frequent flyer miles? That's some bonus for Canuck players! I wonder what the taxman has to say about it.
Looks like (not surprisingly) Brandon travels the farthest this season, followed by Kootenay, P.G., Spokane... Everett travels the least, followed by Lethbridge, Calgary, Chilliwack.
Don't know how to get you by e-mail, Alan, but if you contact me at the address below, I can send you the complete list and distances, if you're interested. I had a slow few days at work this week...
e.anderson.head@gmail.com
WHL players stay in Motel 6? I want what you are smoking.
Post a Comment