has any Canadian born players ever said I want to play for a Canadian team?

Question

I know there's a few American born players that have said they didn't want to move to Canada and I know of a few Canadian players (Pronger) who's wife insisted on a trade to the USA.
What's the deal with Canada?
This is a serious question.
I can't figure out why no Canadian player has the balls to stand up and say, hey I want to play for a team in Canada.

2eighty8
I heard Prongers wife said she wanted out of Canada, but would recultanly move to Toronto but she was more than happy going back to the USA.

like i'm telling you who i am:
so much for canadians being patriots eh? LOL
You always hear of American sports guys signing for less to play in a particular city but never Canadian players. LOL

hockey d man:
more Canadian players turned down the chance at the last world championship per centage wise than any other team, so there's your patriotism LOL
By the way this year you'll hear of the only player to have his agent write in his NHL contact that he be able to play for his country at the world juniors, and he isn't Canadian! (hint to what country he's from...eagle)

Answer 1

2Eighty8, the personal matter was Pronger's wife dislike of Canada, his wife has come out and stated this publicly. We are 'backwards' as a nation.

The reason players prefer American teams is that the taxes are lower, Wayne Gretzky stated it best in 1996 when he came close to signing in Toronto. He signed for 0.5M less to play in New York, but after taxes, he made 1.8M more than his take home pay

$8MM in Toronto, $4.3MM after taxes
$7.5MM in NYC, $6.1MM after taxes

Players in Canada reported their salaries to the NHLPA in USD, but the taxes were taken off by the Canadian Government.

Prior to 1993, US Hockey Players paid taxes on income in US AND paid taxes on their income if they were considered Canadian residents. This prompted people like Steve Yzerman to declare themselves permanent residents on America.

Answer 2

What Canadian teams? Gary Buttman would be happy moving all the teams to the United States. More Canadian players need to be more vocal and voice their disgust. If there is to be a new team then at least one should be in Canada. Okay, getting off topic.

Anyway, I never heard an American say I won't play for a Canadian team or vice versa The Pronger situation was different. I guess if you had the choice of being in frigid Edmonton or sunny California , you would choose the latter.

I hear players say they want to play for their favorite team but never heard them say they wouldn't play for a team just cause their Canadian( or an American )

Answer 3

So much for Canadian Patroits? Uhh.. we invented the game, can never get it out of our minds, love team Canada and believe in the few Canadian teams that we have to win the cup! Also there might be a few guys who want to go in the desert and play beach volley ball with cactuses but not all Canadians, I would much rather play in Toronto and Edmonton then in some sandbox. Also, huh, I wonder why it's called hockey night in Canada, I wonder why Team Canada is the best team ever to play ice hockey, I wonder why there are the MAPLE LEAFS, CANUCKS, CANADIENS, I wonder why Canadian pro hockey players would do anything to be able to play for Team Canada and represent their country, so next time think twice before saying that we are not partiots.

Answer 4

Probably all of them. But thing is, money and business talks. Also, with the Pronger situation, it was more of a personal matter and had nothing to do with playing in Canada. Plus, would you much rather play for a Cup contender than a Canadian team who cares more about making more money for themselves than winning like the Leafs? I'm a die-hard Leafs fan, but, if given the opportunity (yeah, right), I wouldn't play for them under their current regime.

Answer 5

Whats your deal with Canada?

I think every Canadian Player, or at least a majority of them have wanted to play for the Leafs or Habs...why wouldn't you, I would like to.

Answer 6

Technically Gary Robert's demand last year would qualify. And if we go back far enough many French Canadian players in the early days didn't like leaving Quebec because they had to learn to speak English.

Answer 7

Sheldon played for the Habs but then he signed with Edmonton because it was near his hometown. So players like him do want to play in Canada and not the US.