I think you're going a little far...Canadian hockey is not in a Golden Era but I wouldn't call it dead.
US has a population of 340 million Canada has a population of 39 million, I guess they would have larger enrollments in almost everything.
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US has a population of 340 million Canada has a population of 39 million, I guess they would have larger enrollments in almost everything.
The volume crossover happened surprisingly recently. Players under 18 fell from 524k in 2010 to 340k in 2022. The US has climbed from 340k to 390k in that same period. Growth is being lead by southern states with NHL franchises, as those teams are subsidizing minor hockey and leading the development process:
USA Hockey player membership analysis for 2023-24 - Sound Of Hockey
We look at the USA Hockey players report for 2023-24 season and take a look at the impact of the Seattle Kraken on Washington State.
soundofhockey.com
Cost, poor coaching/development (no value for money), and lack of accountability (google "brantford minor hockey" for the most recent example) means people are taking their money elsewhere. Private leagues are growing, but their cost is a barrier. The game has moved on and hockey leadership in Canada is still trying to get Don Cherry reinstated.
Most of our players now are trained on hazing and rape unfortunately. Hockey in Canada has always been an ol boys club mentality. Crazy parents don't help either, now players can play anywhere in minor hockey as opposed to just their jurisdictions. Wealthy parents will do anything for their kids to play for the Toronto red wings or Marlies. They were the 2 big ones when I was a kid anyway.
I thought I read that hockey is the third most played sport now with kids. Sweden and and Finland don't have the population to catch up imo. I'm not even sure it's all that popular there as far as being number 1. Soccer is huge especially in Sweden. If you're top athletes aren't playing in the sport it has a trickle down affect.
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They were all flopping around off balance. No idea how to fight. If fighting is allowed it should be entertaining.
According to this article form "The Daily Hive" it was planned by the Americans
Tkachuk brothers planned fights to kick off chaotic USA/Canada game
Feb 16 2025, 11:43 am
Saturday night’s battle between Canada and the United States more than lived up to the hype, partially due to some fight planning for Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
It took no time for fireworks to erupt at the most anticipated game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Seconds after the opening draw, Matthew dropped the gloves with Canada’s Brandon Hagel in a spirited tilt. This ignited both benches and had the crowd in a frenzy.
As if that wasn’t enough, Brady decided it was his turn at the next faceoff, dropping the gloves with Sam Bennett. Then it was J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko at the next whistle. Not even 10 seconds into the game, fans were already treated to three fights.
This start was a dream for hockey fans watching and the Tkachuk brothers told the media after the USA’s 3-1 win that they had been plotting exactly that earlier in the day.
“There was a little discussion during the day,” Brady said with a cheeky smile. “There was a group chat going on today and then we just re-affirmed that we’re gonna do that.
“I think Matthew’s fight to start it off was such an energy boost. I think I was more excited, more nervous than my own… it was a pretty awesome script.”
Matthew’s fight to kick things off was perhaps the most hyped battle to start the game. Fighting during international hockey tournaments is almost unheard of, so it was truly an unexpected way to raise the temperature between these two nations.
Hagel was a worthy opponent for Matthew as the two traded blows until the Canadian was able to get the takedown. The Saskatoon native only had four NHL fights under his belt going into this tilt compared to Tkachuk’s 24, but he more than held his own.
When asked by Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas at the first intermission about why he took the fight with Tkachuk, Hagel gave a very Canadian answer.
“I think I blacked out on it,” Hagel said. “He asked and I’m not backing down from him.”
The USA was able to get the final laugh with the victory, but hockey fans will be hoping that Canada can take care of business against Finland on Monday to set up a rematch in the 4 Nations championship game on Thursday night.
Bookies have Canada as heavy favorites
https://www.flashscore.com/match/bTFFVi4s/#/match-summary/match-summary
https://www.flashscore.com/match/bTFFVi4s/#/match-summary/match-summary
I think the Canadians taking out some frustration on the Finns. MacKinnon and Crosby looking like they've been teammates for years.
Canada vs USA for the 4 Nations Cup. The US can lose to Sweden if they want to be chumps, not champs.
