Dear average hockey player, I hate you.

I love hockey, I really do. I think it's a particularly exciting sport to watch, and there are many athletes of great talent who make it entertaining, whether it's at an arena, or on TV.

I also love gossip. Especially juicy stories about things that you wouldn't expect from a certain celebrity.

So why a hate for hockey players?

Well, it's not hate per say. And it's not only hockey players. But these athletes being the ones I have the most frequent access to, they'll be the ones I discuss here.

I understand that, when you have a certain fame, you will enjoy the rewards in more than one way. An unbelievable level of success with the opposite sex being what many would consider the prime reward, it's more than understandable that an attractive, young, single and successful player would want to have "fun," you could say.

But if a married man asks his teammate to get him a girl? If a married man sleeps with everyone from his hairdresser to his kids nanny? Not so much.

Sure, cheating is everywhere. And being on the road gives more opportunities for it.

This isn't even a fourth of where the problem lies. But it is a part of the problem.

If, tomorrow, I walk down the street, and see the most beautiful man that I have ever seen, and he is wearing a t-shirt that says, "I've lost count of how many girls I've slept with, I dunno, I guess an STD is possible," I WILL WALK AWAY. Yet, so many girls dream of sleeping with a hockey player, when they basically have that written on their foreheads! Yes, it's fun to fantasize, to talk about how beautiful the players are... But when it comes down to it, why risk it? It's naive to think that players do not take advantage of this "dream" to make girls do things they would normally never agree to.

But then, there is what hockey players actually do in life, their day job, their real work. Then... there's actually putting EFFORT in your WORK. I'm a perfectionist, so my view on things here may be a little twisted, but I don't understand when someone is so obviously naturally amazing at something, why they wouldn't put the effort to get even better!

Players have a sense of entitlement. Even if they only do a half-assed job. And this shows even off the ice.

I may be an idealist, but I always told myself that, if I ever had the opportunity to be famous, I'd try to use my fame to raise awareness about issues that I care about, not just get into a club without doing the line up or get free alcohol. Or prey on 18 year olds.

Anyway.

Entitlement. And lack of respect.

Just tonight, I had to walk past the New York Rangers, as they were playing some sort of soccer with a huge yellow ball. Never did they stop because people were walking by. Nor did they just attempt to throw the ball in the opposite direction, just to play it safe and not hit anyone. No, it's much funnier to keep hitting the ball in the direction of the 5'2 girl, who is obviously scared and respectfully trying not to disturb a pre-game ritual practice.

I always try to avoid to walk by the players while they're practicing. Out of respect, but mainly because of stories I've heard. I wasn't the first girl they threw a ball at... I know of girls who've been HIT by this ball, and players still think it's funny.

I was told that they do this for attention, that you have to think of them as kids. Act like they don't matter. Really? REALLY?! They need that much attention?!

I don't understand. I really, really don't. How an athlete's brain works. Or any of this.

So, dear average hockey player, I strongly dislike you.