from Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star,

This is not a “tradition” in any real sense. A tradition suggests a long-standing habit that has, over time, taken on some greater meaning.

As best anyone can tell, the sanctity of the carpet logo sprang fully formed about 10 years ago and spread through the NHL like a flu at fat camp.

This is not to say there weren’t logos on the carpet before that, but that 10 years ago, someone decided that no one could walk on them any more.

I’ve been to St. Peter’s. I knew enough not to hop the barricade and begin trodding around on top of the altar.

They don’t leave the chalices spread out on the steps, and send a Jesuit out there to scream at you when you get near them.

more You see how that works? Sacred objects that are not meant to be stepped on are rarely placed on the floor.

This is why we don’t celebrate the inventor of the shelf. Because, outside the NHL, we take for granted that all humans can figure this out for themselves.

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