Why are European players usually more skilled?

[Tavares to Marner]

It always seems that Europe seems to develop highly skilled individuals than North America who develops a good balance between teamwork and skill

I'm not saying European players are better but I don't think there's no denying that usually European players are more INDIVIDUALLY skilled

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[CashMash]

I'd say it's because guys who come over to the US aren't depth guys.

 

[Koivu11]

In Europe/Russia they teach skill. In Canada we teach grind.

 

[Hockeyholic]

This is actually an intriguing question. My guess is it has to do with Europeans ( Certain countries) are perfectionists. This leads to maybe more practice and effort put into things than other Countries. I'm just guessing though.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

I'd say it's because guys who come over to the US aren't depth guys.

This.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Pretty sure they incorporate hitting into the game much later than North America, wanting their kids to focus on developing their skill first and foremost.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Seems like an outdated stereotype to me.

 

[JackSlater]

It's a false comparison. The NHL features the 400th best North American player while the 400th best European is playing somewhere in Europe, generally speaking

 

[MarkusKetterer]

In North America, they teach you to not take chances. That's why.

 

[Stephen]

I think it just seems that way because there are more of the "filler" North American player in the league. At the top end, North American players are just as skilled as Europeans.

 

[rent free]

because they don't focus on being tough and playing gritty, thats the job of the north americans.

 

[Alex K]

Bigger rink, more space for dangling.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Bigger rink means players are growing up with more space for creativity and dangling and what not.

Smaller rink forces you to grind more since an early age.

The rink size you play on for the first 20~ years of your life has a lot to do with morphing your style.

Player who are smart enough tend to figure out how to translate the creativity they were raise with over to a smaller ice surface. Most European-trained players tend to take awhile to get used to the grinding style of hockey.


As I'm typing this I'm starting to think that creative, intelligent players are the ones who usually adapt the quickest from bigger ice to smaller ice so the transition acts as a form of filter to "weed out" a lot of the players who take too long to adapt and learn the new styles and systems

 

[SupremeNachos]

Have you seen the way they drink things from a glass? The pursed lips finger tips move is low key savage.

 

[The Hound]

Bigger rink, more space for dangling.

Was going to say this, used to a bigger rink, not afraid to take chances being fancy.

 

[JJ68]

In Europe/Russia they teach skill. In Canada we teach grind.

we teach winning

 

[Craig Button]

Because they also learn how to play soccer and know that possession is important. You don't have to be goons if you have possession of the puck

 

[Brownies]

It is a bit of a stereotype, but there's definitely still some truth to that. Lots and lots of emphasis is put on throwing the puck at the net around here and go to the net. If you start playing an efficient low risk game at 10-12 years old, there sure's going to be less improvement in 1 on 1 skills and such, but it sure offers other advantages. I think it's cool that there are different styles around the world.

 

[Troubadour]

I think the gap has been narrowing for years now, but stick skills are still sweeter on the Euro side. As others have noted, it probably has a lot to do with the rink size and mentality. Baroque hockey rules.

 

[22FUTON9]

Wont give you the whole answer but Kuzys article on the players tribune should give you a pretty good idea

 

[Jumptheshark]

It always seems that Europe seems to develop highly skilled individuals than North America who develops a good balance between teamwork and skill

I'm not saying European players are better but I don't think there's no denying that usually European players are more INDIVIDUALLY skilled

as a Canadian in Europe I say it is because they are taught skating and skill first and physical stuff later

after a certain point the canadian style becomes more about the physical side then skill

also--here in Europe it is all about skating most of the time

 

[Brownies]

Wont give you the whole answer but Kuzys article on the players tribune should give you a pretty good idea

Who was it that considered Patrick Kane a better talent than Crosby a few years ago, I think a guy from Russia. It illustrated well the difference.

 

[Cquant]

I always thought it was because as a junior player in Europe you're usually given more free reign for creativity. The systems and grinding aren't drilled into you as early as the Canadian Junior teams.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

Besides stylistic differences as well as North American Diets, a much larger percentage of the league is North American than European. For dime a dozen grinders, why would a Euro go over when he could be a good player and probably paid similarily near home?

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

My guess is because in Europe, young players are allowed to experiment, have fun and just play the game. Having watched my kid play rep hockey for the last 10 years in Canada I can promise you that's not the case here. Kids learn systems and the "team game" from day one. 6 years olds get benched if they skate the puck out of the zone or try to deke someone. It's sad really and I expect a huge decline in Canadian representation in the NHL over the next couple of decades.