Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
cagney said:I don't really have the facts in front of me but I wouldn't be surprised if most of the registered players in the US just don't take the game seriously enough to become elite players. The situation could be similar to soccer where I'd have to imagine that we've got more kids playing here than there are in some of the major soccor powers but the kids here are just doing it for fun. The US has the potential to rival Canada but it's really a big question mark as to whether or not it will ever really happen. I'd definitly say that the answer to that question falls well out of the scope of the next 15 to 20 years.
I agree that if Russia could get their act together they too have enormous potential.
I don't think all of the registered players are hardcore either, but when you're talking close to 500,000 and growing, IMO that suggests alot of potential. The fact is, the U.S. has the following to be successful at all levels of hockey:
1) Numbers
2) Funding
3) Facilities
4) Coaching