As Seattle sports fans wait for an NHL expansion application to be processed, for an arena to be built, and for a team to hopefully arrive, we really should start getting to know the sport of hockey so we can hit the ground running in 2020.

The best way to do this is to attend local games to see live hockey in action. If you live in the Seattle area, you have two WHL franchises in the area - the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Everett Silvertips. You also have the Washington Huskies hockey club. If you live on the east side of the mountains you have the Tri City Americans and the evil Spokane Chiefs. Even if you live down in the Portland area, you can check out the sinister Winterhawks.

So I really encourage you to check out some games. You’ll love it.

But there’s something else you absolutely must do to immerse yourself into the hockey culture. You must watch the movie Slap Shot, starring Paul Newman.

Learn the rules of the game

What is high sticking? Spearing? Icing? What causes a hockey player to feel alone and ashamed? Slap Shot will teach you.

Giving something new a chance

Not sure how hockey will work out in Seattle? The Charlestown Chiefs weren’t sure how the Hansons would work out. but they gave the brothers a chance in Slap Shot, and they took the city by storm.

National Anthem etiquette

This movie was produced in 1977, so it has nothing to say about the anthem protests that take place in our time. Would the Hansons take a knee? Would they stand? Would they sit on the bench or in the locker room until the anthem was finished? We have no way of knowing. One thing is for sure, though. They wouldn’t let some stinkin’ ref interfere with however they decided to handle it.

The proper view of the opposition

The relationship between hockey fans and their local teams is a sacred and passionate one. The relationship between hockey fans and the opposing teams is sometimes even more passionate, but in a different way. There is a proper way to think of and interact with teams from out of town. Slap Shot will teach you.

There you have it. The next time you are doing ‘Netflix and chill,’ check out Slap Shot. One word of caution. Don’t let the kiddos watch it with you.