... and fools seldom differ ...
Try taking a poll of the half a million or so asian immigrants in Toronto and Vancouver. Ask them their favourite sport. Or the tens of thousands of people who have emigrated from the continent of Africa. Or the fifteen or sixteen million women in Canada (again, due respect to critter/kritter
).
In each of those demographics, sure you will find hockey fans. You will also find a ton of apathy.
Speaking as a maritimer who has lived in Canada for all but 4 of his 42 years, I know well of hockey's popularity in my country. I also have contact with more people than those who look and sound exactly like me.
Have you figured it out yet?