Will the USA ever take over from Canada as having the best players in the world?

Question

I say it is inevitable. Reasons are the dominance the USA has had in recent years in the under 18 tournament, winning gold twice and silver twice in the last 4 years.
As well as the only team that has really given Canada problems in the last 2 world juniors was the USA.
USA hockey is much more organized now and the programs they have are second to none.
AND PLEASE THIS IS NOT AN ANTI CANADIAN POST.

Answer 1

It's possible but, then Canada might have to declare war on the US. You're talking about insulting a country's religion here. LMAO

In terms of numbers since the US has 10x the population that Canada has, there could indeed come a day when the two countries are on a total even footing. Is it likely? Probably not in our lifetime. Hockey is still considered a fringe sport in all but, maybe a dozen US states and the competition for player's time from other sports like baseball, football and even golf will most likely limit how fast things move. If it does happen I certainly hope it's long after Bettman has left the game. I'd hate to think he would get credit for it in any way.

Oh and BTW, I didn't see it as being anti-Canadian. I think you were pretty plain in how you worded things. Nice to see you've worked that out. It's so easy to misinterpret something when all you have to go on is what someone typed.

Answer 2

Never going to happen. Hockey is the number one sport across Canada. Hockey is only popular in certain pockets of the US (NE, Upstate NY, Minni, Michigan) and even then often takes a back seat to Football, Baseball and Basketball. Also have you watched the World Junior Tournament lately, Canada consistently wins, often with little competition and usually missing eligable players (i.e. Crosby, Gange etc..) that the NHL teams will not loan back to the Junior programme.

For those young Canadians that are looking for a free (or heavily subsidized education) they do often end up playing college hockey in the US, they make up a very high % of college players, but they are still Canadians. Also a substantial number of high talent US players will play in one of the Junior leagues in Canada as this is still the best bet to be drafted by an NHL team. Why is this? Because Canada has a strong hockey infastructure right across the county, they have the $ to support the programme coast to coast, they have the fan support at all levels (i.e. World Juniors held every other year in Canada and the only country that consistantly sells it out).

Unless Canadian players, playing in the States are playing within one of the "US hockey pockets" like Boston, Minni, Buffalo their kids will likely have little interest in hockey and if they do a place like Dallas or Phoenix will never likely produce an elite hockey talent. Guys like Gretzky, Crosby, Iginla played hockey ever day in the winter and road hockey in the summer, it's part of life.

Answer 3

Not a chance, Canadians live and breathe hockey and the US just doesn't care enough. The US also doesn't have the same climate per se as a lot of the States don't get snow and ice regularly, those that do have other sports generally taking priority over hockey, which is predominantly an elitist sport due to the high costs of equipment and arenas etc.

Answer 4

I'm not so sure because it still costs a lot more to play hockey in the US than it does in Canada, so grass-roots hockey in the US is more or less limited to kids with well-off parents.
Not that hockey is free in Canada, but I think there is a better effort to keep hockey affordable/accessible in Canada.

I do agree that Hockey USA has it's act together and has good development programs. If they had hockey in the 'hood then the US would likely end producing more great players.

Answer 5

I say they will be equal... the US will never top Canada in hockey only because most, if not all, its star young athletes would rather progress their athletic careers in football or baseball...Canada still spits out a good core in bunches once every 2 or 3 years...

with only 6 Canadian teams and 24 US teams... Fact is, Canadian Players playing for those American cities are choosing to live and settle in the States. All the bloodlines of Canadian players are American... all these Canadian NHL HOF'ers children will be playing for team USA...

Answer 6

I was taught never to say never.. BUT.. I really can't see it. Per capita Canada still has more minor hockey player than any other place in the world.
Plus the fact that it is probably the biggest religion in Canada! It would be pretty hard to imagine being overthrown as the number one hockey place in the world.

Answer 7

I would compare it to soccer. Soccer is wildly popular with America's youth but by the time they reach the upper levels they tend to give up and find other interests. Pro soccer isnt a viable option unless you are in your twilight from the euro leagues. But I digress. Hockey is gaining popularity and more colelges carry it as a sport or at least as a club sport. But until there is a better farm system in the US I dont think the US will ever surpass Canada as having the best players.

Answer 8

Well it just makes sense doesn't it? If they build the rinks to play in right across the country then yes, they are bound to catch up and over take...I mean it's really a stupid question isn't it...the bloody country has 10 x the population of Canada. Maybe also as this takes place, English as the on ice language will be replace by Spanish!! LMFAO

Answer 9

In World Competition? Probably. In the World as a total of the NHL? Nope, don't see it happening. I just don't see it getting big enough to counter ALL the Canadian players over just team form.

Answer 10

I don't think they will ever overcome canadian players, but I think they will soon be equal. There have been more and more players coming out of the USA lately, especially from Minnesota, but canadian born players still dominate. It'll soon level off though.