(This is mostly a community traction post because Lemmy needs more of it.)
US dev seems to be paying off on the top level. We have already seen the more recent juniors results the last handful of years but now it is starting to show beyond that.
I know the majority of this US roster comes from that program and I feel like last night that was visually apparent. It’s starting to feel like a proper Canadian / American hockey rivalry has taken shape which should mean the next decade or so of international events should be top notch from that perspective.
On a semi related note; RIP to the Kids’ 26 game win streak record wearing the Canadian sweater. Absolutely a legendary stat. His first assist against Sweden was crazy greasy. (Edit)
Fewer Canadians are signing up for youth hockey: “Over 15 years, the number of kids under 18 playing hockey fell by 33%. This is from 523,785 in 2010 to 340,365 in 2022”. Covid aside, I think a lot of this is because Canadian pro teams haven’t won the cup since they were still putting out NHL games for Super Nintendo. It’s been that long! How can Canada stay on top if no one wins and people stop caring?
I’ve heard from avg Canadian folks that some of that extends from A) the sustained cost of the sport in general, and to a lesser extent B) that the recent years of scandals involving the system has taken its toll.
Not saying that’s why or why not, but it is what I’ve heard from people over the last handful of years.