I'm curious why hockey isn't as big in Denmark. Copenhagen specifically is so close to Sweden I would think there would be more rub off. Was at nyhavn 2 days ago and saw a huge football presence as brondby took over the harbor. I wonder why people aren't as passionate about hockey there
it is not in our traditions to play hockey. We have not been able to play lake hockey in the winter on a regular basis and most local counties does not have the money to build icerinks (or prioritices differently) compared to Sweden. In most villages with a population over 500 we have a multipurpose sportscenter for many other sports like badminton, handball, indoor and outdoor football etc. My guess is that if more local counties would find the finances to build icerinks, the sport would grow rather quickly as it stagnates right now due to limited icetime for juniors. In most hockeyclubs in Denmark they have to reject youngsters from playing because of this limited icetime. I know that more Danish midsize cities with a population of 50-60k+ are planning to build in the near future. Just ten more rinks spread out throughout the country would do a considerable contribution.
As to the fanside, what you witnessed thursday in Copenhagen was kind of a special thing in Denmark as Brøndby and FC Copenhagen pretty much have the entire Copenhagen fancrowd within their grasp. Nothing comes even close to this derby which has often turned in to a battle both on and off the pitch.
As for hockeyfans in Copenhagen, we have to travel to Malmö and watch Redhawks to get some decent hockey as they Danish league is just terrible.