The unexpected mix of sports and romance, in books, movies and shows are the new normal and daily routine for every person who aims to escape the dull reality of their adult life. It’s a psychological retreat that not only creates a sense of belonging and familiarity, but it also allows one to drift into the world of newness. New experiences, stories, characters and a journey that we might have envisioned, but never intended to find ourselves fully awake and in the throes of it. Yet here we are, in the middle of the hockey effect that continues to haunt us like a shadow.
Sports romance is a field on its own nowadays. Prior to the fandom of readers on BookTok and the severe obsession that held everyone’s breath, it was simply included in the romance genre like any other novel. Although we have seen the books and read the synopsis, picking it up and including it in our ‘next to read’ stack was done with some hesitation. But now It’s something that we all anticipate and look forward to when scrolling through our feeds or strolling into the bookstore. Be it soccer romance books, baseball, football, or even hockey, each genre and sub-genre marked itself in our hearts and minds like no other. It’s the spark of knowing more and the excitement of winning and learning from past mistakes. And not to forget the beautiful in-betweens that sports romance authors link with the reader’s reality, making them just as important as the main characters in the book.
While sports romance readers and viewers are on a mission of adding new related shows, movies, and books into their to-watch and read list, hockey fans are entitled to rest and watch it all unfold. And whether it’s a fictional team you’re cheering for, or a national squad you’re supporting, both are justified as long as enjoyment and bliss are included in the mix.
Off-Campus by Elle Kennedy is one of the newest book adaptations on the screens. It’s the talk of the day and daydream of the night. After Heated Rivalry, sports romance fans and especially hockey fans, have been given the time of their life by adapting Kennedy’s first book (The Deal) from her Off-Campus series, into an 8 episode TV show. The characters are engaging enough that watching it for a second and a third time is not an option, but a must. It’s a story of finding love when one least expects it, and with someone who was never on their radar. Just like that one mesmerizing line in Alex Warren’s song (Ordinary) when he said ‘Hopeless Hallelujah’, our main character Hannah have had a journey of hopelessness, but the universe had other plans and stories for her. With Garret, she found comfort, confidence, love, and companionship. The found family trope in the series is what is making everyone rewatch the show and cry with every interaction. It’s emotional as much as it’s romantic. It’s finding your family when you’re far away from it, and finding love, when you gave up on it. And the core of it all?, it’s hockey and the connection it creates to bring all of those aspects into the realm of one’s reality.
Now the true talk of the season in the past few days is all about ‘what’s next?’. Yes, the hockey effect is strong that going back to our daily routine is not an option. In spite of reality’s demands and the chores on our to-do list, the pause of the in-between is making a debut. Its the love and yearning of going back to the ice rinks that we might never have stepped in before. The love and desire to be standing and cheering for the team that took our hearts into another level of astonishment. It’s the crave of being part of a community who are all, but strangers. One love and one tie have linked them all together. And it’s the love of the sport and the team that their lives are as precious as yours. This is the love we usually send and include for family and close friends, but only true sports fans can tell you that this love is also included in the physical attributes of games and matches that one might have skipped in the past.
Between reality and the world of fiction, Hockey continues to be a remarkable example of what it means to be committed to a cause and the joy of being part of a community. The brotherhood/sisterhood of the mates, the friendships, the jokes, and true love. Videos of hockey matches and edits from both real life leagues and screen adaptations have all made us tear up for what they have and share. Through them we lived and continue to yearn to have another glimpse of this sensation. From the pages to the screens, hockey made us all attentive viewers and readers who cheer and gasp with every fall and win. Every player is someone we get concerned over as if they’re family and people we personally know. Either way, the connection has been formed. And regardless of you wanting to book a flight to another continent to attend an actual game, or drive two hours to the next city to watch the premiere of the latest release, trust me, it is more than valid. For that’s the foundation of the hockey effect.
Familiarity in this situation comes in every shape and form. Through the screens and books, we’ve perfected the hockey game strategy, making some us professional commentators or fans rooting for their favorite characters whom they fell in love with through the pages, and finally had the opportunity to meet through the screens. Everyone watched the winter olympics of this year where team USA won the golden medal and the celebrations that every hockey reader is familiar with. But what triggered people the most, fans or not, is the family connection that the players have with one another. During the celebrations, team members raised their late team member’s shirt (No. 13) who lost his life to an accident. Not only that, but Gaudreau’s (No.13) kids were brought on the rink by team captain Auston Mathews for their celebratory picture to honor their belated friend and father. And that’s exactly what makes hockey a special sport of connections more than a league and a trophy to win.
The feeling of being out of place after attending a hockey match and watching it all unfold in front of your eyes from the rink, all the way to the desire of wanting to rewatch the show or movie you have binged on in one sitting. The familiarity with the characters that you have built a strong bond with through the screens and pages. The community and the friends that you want to hang out with after the match. The snacks that are as delicious as food illustrations in a magazine. The pep talks. The grand finale of players hugging each other and rooting for the younger mates to take it all an as they learn the skill by watching their mentors. All of that beautifully illustrated pain is nothing but the hockey effect. And to assure you the instant of the effect, it is no wonder that you’re either adding new hockey books into your cart, scrolling through streaming services looking for new hockey movies or just about to call a friend and talk hockey with them.
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