Glory
From the Peewee Leagues to the NCAA to the Olympics to the NHL, pretty much every organized hockey league has a championship. Someone’s got to win it, so why not you? And just think of the eternal glory! Like last year’s NCAA Hockey Division 1 MVP, Whats-his-name! And the KHL champion Whoever-they-are! And the 2013 AHL MVP, What's-his-face! The paparazzi are all over those guys!
Okay, that's not entirely fair. The point is there's momentary glory for the wins and the trophies, just like any other sport, but it probably won't last too long. Not in hockey, anyway, unless you are Bobby Orr or Wayne Gretzky. And by our count there is only one of those guys each. Even with the Miracle team, a lot of people know the coach's name, Herb Brooks, but very few can name even a single player.
Do it for the love of the game, enjoy the glory when and if it comes, but don't need the glory to make it worthwhile. The game will be around longer than the applause.