100 Years of Hockey By ESPN Kids Writer

One hundred years ago, the world was a very different place. There were no computers, no cell phones, no commercial airplanes and very few cars. People wore different styles of clothes and even spoke differently. However, one thing was the same back then as it is today. People were crazy about sports.

This season, hockey fans in Montreal are celebrating 100 years of the Montreal Canadiens. One of the most successful teams in professional hockey, the Canadiens formed in 1909 and started playing games in 1910. One hundred years later, Montreal is the world's longest running hockey organization. In that time, the Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times and 42 of their players have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

One of the reasons that sports are so important in today's culture is because of the teams that have been around for so long. Perhaps the biggest difference between being a sports fan 100 years ago and today is the way fans learn about their favorite teams and players. Today, it's easy to find lots of information about sports on the Internet. Even while a game is still in progress, you can get on the computer to find out the score. Back in 1910, when the Canadiens started playing hockey, fans couldn't even watch a game on television or listen to it on the radio.

Teams that have been around for a long time can create a strong connection with cities and families. In Montreal, kids cheer for the Canadiens the same way that their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents did. In classic old sports cities across North America, the feeling is similar. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, generations of fans have been cheering for the Packers since they started playing football in 1921. Another team, the Chicago Cubs, who started playing baseball in 1902, also has multiple generations of fans.

Tradition is one of the great things about sports. Although not every team is as old as the Canadiens, many newer teams are starting to build their own traditions. Who knows& maybe some of them will still be around in another 100 years.

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