-LOL @ Hockey in China. Good luck with that.
-when will these guys just understand that Hockey is a niche sport and that it will be moderatly successful at best when you take it out of its enviroment.
-Because it is a pipe dream, a crack pipe dream at that.
-I see it going down like one of those corny movies that portrays Chinese immigrants. Like that one character in Major League II that goes through the wall and stuff.
What is so funny about it? Sure it will be not be an easy task, but in some countries where there was a direct attempt to help build the sport, there has been success. One story I remember reading is at one point Finland and Norway were roughly equal in Hockey talent, however Finland took a 'build as many arenas as possible" policy, where Norway didn't. The difference in talent level now is obvious, as Finland has had fantastic showings at the past two major international competitions and Norway is still struggling to stay in the yearly World Championships.
Now as for whether or not China has the right environment, I'd suggest you look at an atlas. Qiqihar and Harbin in China's North, where the sport is fairly popular, the climate is perfect for hockey. The Winters are very cold, rivers/lakes freeze, and seeing kids playing hockey outside on frozen surfaces is a fairly common sight. One report I remember reading even said Hockey is the #1 sport in Qiqihar region, which has a population of 5.6 million. Harbin region has a population of 10 million and Hockey is also popular there as well.
There is definatly a passion for the sport, but the cost of it is too much for many in China's North to afford.
I'm willing to bet 10-15 years from now there is at least one China Chinese player either drafted, or playing in the NHL.
If anything China ressembles the Soviet Sports machine and if dedicated to creating a hockey program could do quite well.
Agreed, and the Chinese work ethic only makes it even more likely that it could be successful. Just look at their Olympic prospect athletes, they leave home at a very young age, go years without seeing their parents, train almost the entire day..
The amount of determination is mindboggling.