Granted, the U.S. can put together a half-decent national team, but they really don't produce outstanding individual players. Odd, considering Americans make up about 10% of the NHL these days.
Mike Modano? Chris Chelios? Phil Housely? Joe Mullen?
These are the names we constantly hear as being the greatest U.S.-born players, yet none of them would ever manage better than being a third-liner on a Canadian, Czech, Russian or Swedish team, and that's probably giving some credit.
2007-09-01 03:52:37 · 19 answers · asked by Leafs_Fan 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Patrick Lafontaine was one of the best players in the NHL in an era dominated by Gretzky and Lemieux. Personally, I consider him an outstanding Hockey Superstar.
2007-09-02 05:34:30 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do all Make Belief fans live in some bubble where no info outside the NHL or even the Laffs reaches them?
Here are some "superstars" to go do some research on:
Hobey Baker
Mike Richter
Brian Leetch
Frank Brimsek
Pat LaFontaine (for crying out loud!!!)
Billy Burch (Hart Trophy winner...not too shabby)
You're joking about Modano or Chelios only being third liners with the other teams. Modano would easily be a second liner on some Czech or Swedish teams of the past. I could easily see Chelly as the #1 D guy on some other nat'l teams in his prime.
Seriously, how typical of a Laff fan to get it wrong. Are you all descended from Bob Cole's DNA?
2007-09-01 11:44:48 · answer #2 · answered by fugutastic 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there have been good american players, the problem with hockey in this country is the way it is not supported for our youth. when kids are young it's hard and EXPENSIVE to get them into hockey leagues, then when you get up the junior high & high school level, most schools dont even consider it a sport, it's considered a club. In addition to that hockey during junior high/highschool years is usually very expensive as well so most people can't afford to it, it involves a lot of travelling and combition of resources/schools to put together a team. unfortunately that environment will never change, i wish it would, but the fact that getting into hockey was so timely and expensive i got into roller hockey at a young age which is a bit easier, but doesn't produce the same results.
2007-09-01 08:38:49 · answer #3 · answered by NYR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because hockey is the number one sport in Canada, and virtually every kid that is any good gets a chance to play. In the USA, not every kid gets the opportunities they do in Canada, there could be lots of great players that get pushed into basketball, football or basebal the three main US sports. As someone mentioned, there are 24 US teams that pay in US dollars, Americans don't need to grow their own good hockey players when they can just get them from Canada (and Europe) where they are abundant.
2007-09-01 15:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by Limestoner62 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the elite young players in the US usually play for school teams, but in Canada the elite players are on club teams. So the American kids play only 35 games a year, sit on the bench while the seniors play, spend time in the library instead of the rink, or even get red-shirted. You'll note the team Kane plays for. That being said, it's a good thing to get an education
2007-09-01 05:36:21 · answer #5 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where are the great Canadian football and baseball players?
See my point?
Hockey is the most played sport in Canada where in the US it's behind football, baseball, and basketball. Why did you ask this question and then provide examples of outstanding American born players?
There are great American born players, just not as many as Canada.
2007-09-01 07:44:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with The Caseman Pat Lafontaine was a great player in fact he is my favorite past player and also i have to agree with James as well with Patrick Kane he will be an outstanding player in the years to come Patrick Kane will be a favorite of mine in the years to come too look for him to score many goals this year
2007-09-01 05:01:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Modano, Roenick, and Tkachuk, as examples, were all-stars in their primes. In their best years, albeit maybe only one or two seasons per player, they would have been a first or second line player on any team in the world.
Look for a shift as guys like Erik Johnson, Jack (MF) Johnson, Patrick Kane develop. The US, as hockey as grown in areas, will start developing more and more players. There was a player (J. Blum) drafted in the first round who grew up in California.
2007-09-01 04:49:23 · answer #8 · answered by James 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Probably for the same reason that Canada and Europe have never produced outstanding NFL football or Major League baseball players.
2007-09-01 04:01:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
Thank goodness Canada has 9 to 12 months of winter. They can have all the superstars. It's hilarious-hockey in LA and Phoenix !
2007-09-01 03:58:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋