Ice hockey (hockey in countries where it is the most popular form of hockey)
is a team sport played on
ice, in which skaters use sticks
to direct a puck into
the opposing team's goal. It is a fast-paced physical sport. Ice hockey is most
popular in areas that are sufficiently cold for natural reliable seasonal ice
cover, such as Canada and the,
United States, With the
advent of indoor artificial ice
rinks it has become a year-round pastime in these areas. Ice hockey is one
of the four
major North American professional sports. Worldwide the
National Hockey
League (NHL) is the highest level for men and both the
Canadian
Women's Hockey League (CWHL) and the
Western
Women's Hockey League (WWHL) are the highest levels for women. It is the
official national winter
sport of Canada, where the game enjoys immense popularity.