Many in Brant were surely sad to hear the news that the National Hockey League locked out its players last Saturday, leaving fans with the very real prospect of a winter season without NHL hockey for the second time in a decade.

Simply put, the NHL’s fans should be fed up. Millionaire owners and millionaire players can’t agree on how to share the wealth. So sad for them (note the sarcasm).

Perhaps it’s time for people to move on from the NHL and its over-paid stars. Both the owners and players seem to be taking the support of the league’s loyal fans for granted, hoping they will come back whenever the current lockout comes to an end. But what if they don’t come back? That would certainly change the professional game, wouldn’t it?

It’s not like there isn’t plenty of great hockey to support across North America, from the AHL and OHL right on down to minor hockey teams that deserve fan appreciation.

Perhaps Canadians might even use the lockout as an opportunity to lessen their infatuation with the NHL, because it seems both owners and players are more focused on money than what’s good for the game and its fans.