"The Year Without Hockey"--doesn't that sound like some sort of Disney movie from the 1980s? I'm not sure how it would come up with a happy ending. I think a lot of fans of the puck can figure out who the villain of that movie would be.  However, Puck Daddy over at Yahoo Sports decided to be creative and come up with a list of his 2012 Alternative Year in Hockey Awards. I'll share a sample (including the LBGT supportive You Can Play), and you can find the full list by clicking here:

The Year in Hockey 2012 is going to be remembered as ... well, a year without hockey.


That seriously shortchanges the joyous fun of the Los Angeles Kings' run to the Stanley Cup – they're pictured here, crossing the streams – and other great hockey stories from the NHL and around the world.

But there's no escaping the lockout and the huge cloud of frustration and disappointment that looms over all the hockey happenings from the last year.

That said, Puck Daddy's annual Alternative Year in Hockey Awards provide an oasis for those of us that are sick and tired about feeling sick and tired about the NHL lockout.

It's here that we honor the quirky stories, magic moments, embarrassing gaffes and other wonders of the 2012 year in hockey.
Here are the awards that just didn't seem to find a place in the rest of our Year in Hockey coverage .

Putting the Alternative in Alternative Year in Hockey

The dawn of "You Can Play", Patrick Burke's incredible advocacy movement to support LGBT hockey players around the world. The support from players and coaches at all levels of hockey has been inspiring.