Percentage of Canadian NHL players drops to 45%

[Newsworthy]

Other countries who love hockey are catching up. This leads to intense competition. Canada is no longer dominating the world. No surprise really.

 

[morehockeystats]

Other countries who love hockey are catching up. This leads to intense competition. Canada is no longer dominating the world. No surprise really.

Canada didn't dominate the world from 1972 for about 25 years, and then it had been dominating clearly up until the latest WCOH in 2016, and hadn't been tested since because of the 2018 Olympics debacle.

 

[Nino33]

Canada didn't dominate the world from 1972 for about 25 years, and then it had been dominating clearly up until the latest WCOH in 2016, and hadn't been tested since because of the 2018 Olympics debacle.

Between 1972 and 1997 there were 6 best-on-best tournaments, with Canada in the final every time and winning 4 (the USSR and USA won 1 each)

 

[Albatros]

The Canada Cup was not exactly a level playing field.

 

[Nino33]

The Canada Cup was not exactly a level playing field.

But it was actual best-on-best (the only such competition of the era), and far leveler a playing field then any Olympics or Worlds during the era

 

[morehockeystats]

Between 1972 and 1997 there were 6 best-on-best tournaments, with Canada in the final every time and winning 4 (the USSR and USA won 1 each)

And then there was the Challenger's Cup.
And a "domination" isn't a tournament that ends with a 5:6, 6:5, 6:5 series. It's an "advantage" at best, but close to "parity".

The Canadian team has been the best in the world, no two ways about it, maybe with the small interception in 1979-1981.

But the advantage was not always a domination. The domination was in the 2014 Olympics, and in the WC in 2016.

 

[Nino33]

And then there was the Challenger's Cup.
And a "domination" isn't a tournament that ends with a 5:6, 6:5, 6:5 series. It's an "advantage" at best, but close to "parity".

The "Challenge Cup" was an "NHL team" put together for a few days to play, not a Team Canada (for example, Salming/Hedberg/Nilsson are not Canadians; the logos on the front of the jerseys were USSR and NHL, not USSR and Canada)

But the advantage was not always a domination. The domination was in the 2014 Olympics, and in the WC in 2016.

IMO the fake teams ruined the 2016 World Cup and it isn't a best-on-best as a result (it was a meaningless tournament; personally I only watched a few minutes of a couple games, and I refused to watch any of the fake teams)

The discussion wasn't if Canada dominated in 2014 or starting in 2014, but if they didn't before 1997 and did after - in regards to Canada's performance pre/post 1997 in best-on-bests they won 4 of 6 and were in the final every time before 1997, and after 1997 they were in 4 of 6 finals (wining them all)

 

[morehockeystats]

The discussion wasn't if Canada dominated in 2014 or starting in 2014, but if they didn't before 1997 and did after - in regards to Canada's performance pre/post 1997 in best-on-bests they won 4 of 6 and were in the final every time before 1997, and after 1997 they were in 4 of 6 finals (wining them all)

The discussion has now switched to the definition of domination.
A domination of a team is when the team plays vs. the rest of the World and wins the match. (twice)

 

[cowboy82nd]

Between 1972 and 1997 there were 6 best-on-best tournaments, with Canada in the final every time and winning 4 (the USSR and USA won 1 each)

Would you consider the Olympics as best on best tournaments? If so, your math is wrong. The USSR has won gold in the Olympics 4 times during the time frame you mentioned.

 

[Nino33]

Would you consider the Olympics as best on best tournaments? If so, your math is wrong. The USSR has won gold in the Olympics 4 times during the time frame you mentioned.

I've never heard of anyone ever saying the Olympics was best-on-best outside of 1998-2014 (Olympics 1972-1994 was not best-on-best, just like the 2018 Olympics wasn't best-on-best)

 

[DannyGallivan]

Would you consider the Olympics as best on best tournaments? If so, your math is wrong. The USSR has won gold in the Olympics 4 times during the time frame you mentioned.

You must be very young.

The NHL players were not a factor on Olympic rosters pre-1998. Therefore, the Olympics were clearly NOT a best on best tournament before then.

The bottom line is that it is still amazing that Canada still has almost half of all NHL players, well over 100 years after the birth of the league, especially when you consider the vast populations of the U.S and Russia. Essentially, it takes the rest of the hockey playing world to barely edge Canada on its own when it comes to the make up of the NHL.

... and we are still the team to beat at every best on best tournament. Yeah, I think Canada is doing pretty well.

 

[qwerty]

The NHL is a global game now. There's players coming up from all over the world now and other countries are doing as good or better a job of producing high quality hockey players.

I will say that in North America, the game has seemingly become very elitist overnight. I don't see too many kinds playing ball hockey in their garages and etc anymore or on the street whereas when I was younger, I use to see it all the time. Seems like the majority of players who make it to the show are ones who can afford the expensive equipment, ice time and trainers. Maybe that's why the game has tapered off a bit in Canada especially in more urban markets.

 

[Captain Bowie]

The NHL is a global game now. There's players coming up from all over the world now and other countries are doing as good or better a job of producing high quality hockey players.

I will say that in North America, the game has seemingly become very elitist overnight. I don't see too many kinds playing ball hockey in their garages and etc anymore or on the street whereas when I was younger, I use to see it all the time. Seems like the majority of players who make it to the show are ones who can afford the expensive equipment, ice time and trainers. Maybe that's why the game has tapered off a bit in Canada especially in more urban markets.

Two things:

1) It didn't happen overnight. It's been happening for decades.

2) Not seeing kicks playing casual street hockey games is not just a hockey thing, how often do you see kids playing pick-up basketball, or baseball or soccer? Kids simply don't spend their free time outside much anymore.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Kids do not spend time outside anymore?

Given the growth of indoor, year round facilities for a vast majority of sports and the need for off ice or off field year round training it is to be expected.

 

[Captain Bowie]

Kids do not spend time outside anymore?

Given the growth of indoor, year round facilities for a vast majority of sports and the need for off ice or off field year round training it is to be expected.

I mean strictly unorganized recreational time. Not practice or training or anything like that. I don't think many kids just grab a stick & puck/bat & glove/basketball and just head up to the park with a couple friends and simply play.

 

[Uncle Rotter]

Hello Everyone,

Please see the stats that i just compile from Eliteprospects.com and Capfriendly.com.
The number of Canadian players in the NHL is more like 42.48% not 44 or 45%

Please see data table. I have counted myself to verify.

Teams	Cnd Players	American players	Total Players	Cnd Players %	US Players %	link
Total	322	206	758	42.48%	27.18%
Anaheim Ducks	12	8	28	42.86%	28.57%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Arizona Coyotes	10	11	28	35.71%	39.29%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/72/arizona-coyotes[/TD][TD]
Boston Bruins	4	11	22	18.18%	50.00%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Buffalo Sabres	6	10	23	26.09%	43.48%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Calgary Flames	11	6	23	47.83%	26.09%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Carolina Hurricanes	10	4	21	47.62%	19.05%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Chicago Blackhawks	11	6	24	45.83%	25.00%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Colorado Avalanche	9	6	25	36.00%	24.00%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Columbus Blue Jackets	9	5	23	39.13%	21.74%	https://www.eliteprospects.com/teams[/TD][TD]
Dallas Stars	11	4	28	39.29%	14.29%
Detroit Red Wings	9	6	24	37.50%	25.00%
Edmonton Oilers	16	1	23	69.57%	4.35%
Florida Pathers	17	4	26	65.38%	15.38%
LA Kings	9	9	24	37.50%	37.50%
Minnesota Wild	6	12	25	24.00%	48.00%
Montréal Canadiens	16	3	25	64.00%	12.00%
Nashville Predators	10	6	26	38.46%	23.08%
New Jersey Devils	6	14	27	22.22%	51.85%
New York Islanders	15	4	25	60.00%	16.00%
New York Rangers	5	9	24	20.83%	37.50%
Ottawa Senators	12	5	23	52.17%	21.74%
Philadelphia Flyers	13	4	25	52.00%	16.00%
Pittsburgh Penguins	7	10	24	29.17%	41.67%
San Jose Sharks	9	5	23	39.13%	21.74%
St. Louis Blues	15	4	24	62.50%	16.67%
Tampa Bay Lightning	11	5	23	47.83%	21.74%
Toronto Maple Leafs	11	5	23	47.83%	21.74%
Vancouver Canucks	13	5	26	50.00%	19.23%
Vegas Golden Knights	12	8	26	46.15%	30.77%
Washington Capitals	6	7	23	26.09%	30.43%
Winnipeg Jets	11	9	24	45.83%	37.50%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

From that data: teams with either an American coach or GM (or both) averaged 8 Canadians and 8 Americans, teams with Canadians at both coach and GM averaged 12 Canadians and 6 Americans.

 

[qwerty]

Two things:

1) It didn't happen overnight. It's been happening for decades.

2) Not seeing kicks playing casual street hockey games is not just a hockey thing, how often do you see kids playing pick-up basketball, or baseball or soccer? Kids simply don't spend their free time outside much anymore.

Across the street from me the basketball court and soccer field are usually occupied. I would agree that it’s not as full as it use to be a decade or 2 ago, but street hockey is almost non existent from what I’ve seen.

Maybe smaller towns still have that grassroots passion, I’m not sure. But if I’m the NHL, I’m worried that the game isn’t branching out enough to different avenues and demographics.

 

[DannyGallivan]

Across the street from me the basketball court and soccer field are usually occupied. I would agree that it’s not as full as it use to be a decade or 2 ago, but street hockey is almost non existent from what I’ve seen.

Purely anecdotal. It is very prevalent on my street.

 

[qwerty]

Purely anecdotal. It is very prevalent on my street.

Possibly, you could very well be right. Just basing it on what I’ve seen vs what I use to see.

Maybe the iPhone generation has changed things for every sport, but I do believe the game is trending closer to the elitists side of things and pricing out the middle/lower class.

The demographics of the NHL pretty much confirms this. The most affluent fan base and also one of the most homogeneous.

 

[DannyGallivan]

Possibly, you could very well be right. Just basing it on what I’ve seen vs what I use to see.

Maybe the iPhone generation has changed things for every sport, but I do believe the game is trending closer to the elitists side of things and pricing out the middle/lower class.

The demographics of the NHL pretty much confirms this. The most affluent fan base and also one of the most homogeneous.

I really hope something can be done about this. The fact is, with (as you mentioned) the Iphone, video games and other "sedentary" leisure pursuits, a lot of kids aren't playing any sports (or enough of them). It's important to get them in love with the thrill of physical competition as early as possible.

 

[qwerty]

I really hope something can be done about this. The fact is, with (as you mentioned) the Iphone, video games and other "sedentary" leisure pursuits, a lot of kids aren't playing any sports (or enough of them). It's important to get them in love with the thrill of physical competition as early as possible.

I suspect it's just the way it is at this point. It's the evolution of generations. Kids don't seem to like things their parents generally like which could explain why so many chains and businesses are closing down as millennials continue to shape their own world.

I mean sure, sports are fantastic to watch and offer a lot of fun to play, but why would a kid be interested in waking up early to go to a cold rink and practice their crossovers when they can lay in a warm bed and immerse themselves in a far more luxurious virtual reality experience instead? In addition, why would parents be interested in exposing their children to the potential of physical harm and concussions?

With all of these factors in play, I suspect that the future of E-Sports will play an even bigger role in the future of sports competition.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Evolution of streets. More cars and traffic. Inner cities used to have back lanes where kids played hockey. Suburbs do not have back lanes.

 

[DannyGallivan]

One of the most "Canadian" teams in the NHL (the Blues, with 14 Canadians) win the Stanley Cup. Well done.

 

[nilan30]

One of the most "Canadian" teams in the NHL (the Blues, with 14 Canadians) win the Stanley Cup. Well done.

Against Boston and their 4 Canadians

 

[DannyGallivan]

Against Boston and their 4 Canadians

Of which include their two best players - Bergeron and Marchand. And yes, there is only one winner of the Stanley Cup... congratulations St. Louis.