GDT: USA vs. Sweden | January 5th, Final; 1:30 PM EST, 7:30 PM Local

[End on a Hinote]

Maybe not fringe, but for kids growing up, it's easily #5 behind Soccer, Football, Baseball, and Basketball.

In that case hockey isn't even #1 in Canada, either.

 

[Svedu]

Thats rich coming from you

Hugs and kisses to you.

 

[Northerner]

Maybe not fringe, but for kids growing up, it's easily #5 behind Soccer, Football, Baseball, and Basketball.

Depends on the state. In MN I would argue for a lot of kids it's #1

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Damn I thought I heard every excuse there was but “USA’s population is unfairly large” is a new one

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

In that case hockey isn't even #1 in Canada, either.

It's a totally different level though as climate has a lot to do with it.

Rinks are more prevalent and you have a culture of playing it. I grew up in the very northern US and we skated on outdoor rinks all winter, so even kids that didn't join organized hockey played pond hockey in the winter. It's what we did to pass time in the winter because it was cheap and easy. We had hand me down skates and hand my down sticks, etc... and played until our feet froze. High schools had hockey teams. I assume that's what a lot of Canadian kids do / did as well.

3/4ths of the US (or more) doesn't have the climate to support that in the winter. Heck, when I moved to Raleigh, there were only 5 indoor hockey rinks in the entire area (excluding PNC Arena) and you have to pay to play. Kids aren't playing "pond hockey" like we did up north. There are no high school teams for the most part.

 

[Play]

As a Canadian, I don’t like to talk about who isn’t at the tournament.

It’s disrespectful to those players who are there.

Respect

 

[FinPanda]

Sweden had a good tournament, at least they are at home with medals on their necks while we got nothing.. I'd rather be Swede than a Finn right now. Its not gold but its a medal so congrats to Sweden as well.

 

[matsqq]

Ice hockey players by country:
Ice hockey players per country worldwide 2022 | Statista

 

[Yozhik v tumane]

Congratulations to the Americans! Close, fun game, well executed on both sides, with a bunch of good hockey goals. The better team won, but no shade on the Swedes after this final. Great tournament!

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Depends on the state. In MN I would argue for a lot of kids it's #1

Of course, but the context is we're talking about the population of the entire US, not just a few states. I grew up in the northern part of the country and hockey was much more prevalent. My kids grew up in the south where it's definitely a niche sport.

 

[RichT M]

Depends on the state. In MN I would argue for a lot of kids it's #1

Nationally, I agree hockey is a fringe sport. But in a few states it is very popular with Minnesota leading the way. I find hockey very exciting from a spectator perspective, but grew up in the South where I never knew a person who played.

 

[triggrman]

Nationally, I agree hockey is a fringe sport. But in a few states it is very popular with Minnesota leading the way. I find hockey very exciting from a spectator perspective, but grew up in the South where I never knew a person who played.

I too grew up in the south and have played for 35 years. So not even all southern cities are the same

 

[Northerner]

Nationally, I agree hockey is a fringe sport. But in a few states it is very popular with Minnesota leading the way. I find hockey very exciting from a spectator perspective, but grew up in the South where I never knew a person who played.

It's cheap in MN. Traveling hockey for youngsters in places like Missouri is VERY expensive. We have enough local talent in MN that I feel like it's much more affordable here.

 

[These Are The Days]

My God. The United States wins something in more than dominant fashion and the whole damn board finds a way to have a meltdown over it. Never change HF.

*celebrates in Freedom*

 

[End on a Hinote]

My God. Any country wins something in more than dominant fashion and the whole damn board finds a way to have a meltdown over it. Never change HF.

*celebrates in Freedom*

*fixed*

It goes both ways

 

[WarriorofTime]

It's cheap in MN. Traveling hockey for youngsters in places like Missouri is VERY expensive. We have enough local talent in MN that I feel like it's much more affordable here.

Yes in many states there’s one prominent AAA team so you have to make it to that location and then the travel to play other competitive teams can be ridiculous.

 

[SkinsFan09]

So the country with 350 million people beat the country with 10 million and then showboated and threw cross checks at the end of the game? Haha good on ya...

The epitome of corny with this comment.

 

[These Are The Days]

*fixed*

I slightly disagree. Canada wins and it's "lel suck it l0ozers!" and people just give up. We don't go into entire discussions of socioeconomics and population. Someone else other than Canada won. Ya'll can deal

 

[TLEH]

If you are not from New England, Minnesota or Michigan you likely are going to need to be rich to play high level hockey. Likely anyway, but for example, there is usually one AAA team in a state. Florida was in Estero for example

 

[Northerner]

If you are not from New England, Minnesota or Michigan you likely are going to need to be rich to play high level hockey. Likely anyway, but for example, there is usually one AAA team in a state. Florida was in Estero for example

If America only sent reps from MN MI and Mass we would still contend in any world hockey competition. Hell, have you seen what NHL s team MN looks like right now?

 

[End on a Hinote]

I slightly disagree. Canada wins and it's "lel suck it l0ozers!" and people just give up. We don't go into entire discussions of socioeconomics and population. Someone else other than Canada won. Ya'll can deal

I, respectfully, have to disagree. It touches greatly on politics, how "irrelevant" Canada is outside of hockey and how "Canada won in the only sport they're good at" BS.

I admit I have been a little defensive with some of my posts, but I always try to keep it tactful and to the point as I can (my new years resolution haha). But having said that the US was an absolute beast this tournament and deserved this victory big time. You guys should be proud.

 

[EK47]

Cutter Gauthier was nicer than he realized in the post game interview: ”We love the fact that the fans boo us, Sweden and Canada are our big rivals so keep doing that” we want and need more rivalry’s to keep hockey relevant.

 

[ClevelandCapsfan]

 

[Holden Caufield]

Congrats to the Americans.

What a team! They will be remembered for a longtime.
Especially that group of Forwards. Absolute all star cast up front. As they go onto professional success, you can bet the legend of this team will grow.

There is going to be many future NHL broadcasts quoted as saying…. “He was a member of that great ‘24 WJC gold medal winning team.”

 

[Filthy Dangles]

The rich get richer