2024-25 General Dallas Stars Talk

[M88K]

Yeah, I dont get the cynicism as this is how you grow the game. If the NHL consistently continues to host these tournaments they are going to grow in prestige and hype. And nothing inspires future nhlers and fans more than watching their country compete.

For example: even the most casual Swedish hockey fans become passionate fans when Tre Kronor played in the old best-on-best olympic games. I'm sure that hold true for North Americans aswell (especially Canadians).

And the players obviously care as playing for their national team is what they grew up dreaming of.

Might be just my being American, nobody I played with, or knew, dreamed of winning a gold medal, a Stanley cup absolutely.

I'd expect it to be reversed for European countries.

 

[Klockis]

Might be just my being American, nobody I played with, or knew, dreamed of winning a gold medal, a Stanley cup absolutely.

That is probably why we have such different views on this. From the outside looking in it seems to me Americans (as a country) only get excited for the Summer Olympics when it comes to international competition. Makes sense as most of your popular sports have limited international popularity and overwhelming US dominance (though basketball has been growing internationally).

But I do think these tournaments might beneficial (in the long run) in increasing the popularity of the sport in the US aswell. For example: soccer seems to be steadily growing in the US and I understand there is a boost in popularity everytime the US makes it to a world cup.