shawn_kemp said:
I know but historically why did hockey spread to Sweden and Finland but not Norway??? Look, there are 4 northern countries in Europe : Finland, Russia, Sweden and Norway. So why didn't the Norwegians build any rinks and start playing?
Everyone is forgetting about the Danes (as usual) the other Scandinavian team whos hockey levels would be on a par (or better than) with Norway. Norway are not a bad hockey playing nation, and they have had NHLers in the past...namely Espen Knutsen, and there are quite a few players playing in the Elitserien. There are a few in NOrth America at the moment,
Marius Holtet, Iowa Stars drafted at #42 in 2002
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Columbus Blue Jackets (has played 5 games this season)
then there's some in the lower leagues, like Joakim Jensen in the QMJHL.
Norway does have rinks...how else could the 1994 winter olympics taken place??? They also have a national league, which the four top teams qualify further for the "Royal League". The Royal league includes the 4 top teams from Finland and Sweden, as well as (from 2007) the top 4 teams from Norway and Denmark all in a pre-season tournament against each other of the highest esteem. At the moment there are fewer teams from Norway and Denmark, but as they have shown they cna keep up they have been rewarded with more teams.
The Danes are the team to watch, they've got a great youth system and the league over here is improving dramatically. In 2010 I reckon Denmark will be present at the olympics