By Nate Ewell

As the college hockey season enters its most exciting time, what more appropriate way to honor our fans than with a stick salute?

We'll be sharing images like the one above via social media using the hashtag #sticksalute over the next few days as thanks to the 4 million fans who have attended college hockey games this season. Follow @collegehockey to see all the photos.

Meanwhile, we want to do a little crowdsourcing. The origins of the stick salute are unknown, with some crediting college hockey and others teams in Europe.

As NHL teams - notably the New York Rangers - have adopted the gesture, we're asking for help in identifying the origins of the stick salute. Do you know - or have a theory - when, where or how the stick salute originated? Share it on twitter and use the hashtag #sticksalute.

We'll share any findings, as well as more great photos like this one saluting college hockey fans.