Tokyo Bucks
Registered User
I voted Germany, the number of NHLers is gradually but steadily increasing, and some are definitely quality players. Swiss juniors have great reputation and record, and they are producing some NHLers, but I just took Germany's big population base as a positive thing. Latvia and Belarus seem like great candidates too. It'd be great to have more hockey mad nations in the elite group.
Homer vote would've been Japan, but hockey just didn't catch on, even after Nagano 98. Formation of Asia League is great, but that was done more out of desperation from having the domestic league reduced to 4 teams from 6.
As for Quebec, they may not be a nation, but with enough sovereignty rights and unique society clauses, they may have their own elite hockey team in international tournaments before any real nations join the elite group
Homer vote would've been Japan, but hockey just didn't catch on, even after Nagano 98. Formation of Asia League is great, but that was done more out of desperation from having the domestic league reduced to 4 teams from 6.
As for Quebec, they may not be a nation, but with enough sovereignty rights and unique society clauses, they may have their own elite hockey team in international tournaments before any real nations join the elite group