>>While undoubtedly true (ignoring the savages part < s >), I'd bet dollars to donuts that Americans would love hockey with crisp passing and play going on for more than 5 minutes without a whistle.
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>Yes. That would be refreshing. But if you want to sell your sports to America, the biggest sports market in the world, you got to have both, the skill(s) and brute strength. Sometimes more brute strength then skill. But that's what sells here... what can you do.....?
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>I would also say that many that go to a hockey game don't go to see hockey.

That may particularly true in Dallas because it is a bit of a social event. However, when the Stars signed Brett Hull, this sent tingles down the spine of most Stars fans. Contrast that to the ho-hum signing of Brent Sevryn (enforcer) during the off-season after Marchment took out Niewendyke in the first round of the 1998 playoffs. Skill and the allowed displaying of said skill will outsell goonism any day.

As a season ticket holder, I want to see Modano skate instead of being hooked at, dragged down, etc., all the time