The "Population Myth" is just that, a "myth". According to 2006 Stats Canada figures, immigration (6 in 10 coming from Asia, East Asia, Middle East) was at its highest levels in 75yrs. Previous waves virtually from this countries foundings were of French, British & Norther European & Mediterranean heritage through the 1950's & 60's. The study found that;
1) Amateur Sports participation is declining.
2) Household Income & Family Structure play a large role in determining participation.
3) Parental Attitudes towards a sport determines their childrens participation.
4) Region, and Rural or Urban location plays a big role in participation.
5) Children of Immigrants are less likely (32%) to participate.
6) Children of Canadian born parents are more likely (52%) to participate.
amongst several other factors. Additionally, the study found that Soccer & Swimming were the number 1&2 participatory sports; hockey in the 3rd slot. Canada & the US are now pretty much equal in terms of numbers of registered players at the amateur level, a statistic that favored Canada in the past due to climate, culture, sociological, economic, immigration, ethnicity, linguistic elements & so forth. Amateur hockey in both Canada & the US remains a "boutique" sport, increasingly expensive, with the volume of its "manufactured products" ie; quality players who go on to pro careers' of a more one or two dimensional nature as opposed to the past when greater rein to creativity was permitted in the nurturing of skills was afforded & affordable.
What we have now are numerous 'AAA' amateur level leagues in name only, as a more homogeneous approach to evaluation & coaching/certification was instituted post 72 & the Summit Series that in Canada caused a re-evaluation of how we taught our kids the game at a young age. Looking at North Americas' largest amateur system & league, the Greater Toronto Hockey League for example, in the 60's there were app. 20,000 kids registered from AA, A & B; today over 50,000, the re-categorizations now being AAA, AA & A. Todays AAA were yesterdays AA's & so on. Somewhere along the way the lines got blurred.
Maybe 1/2 of todays AAA leagues have AAA teams in them, playing against AA competition. I think from what Ive read, seen & heard, be it Montreal, Toronto or Pennsylvania, a standard should be implemented by a non-partisan non-political group that determines which organizations are in fact AAA & which are AA or A. There are a lot more kids playing, but there not receiving the kind of coaching they need because in a lot of cases there playing over their heads as a result of politics & pretensions. This is not so good for the late bloomers, while it also increases the drop-out rates between 14-16.
Anyhooo, just some general observations & points. Have at er'.....