Canada is still the top hockey country but other countries have closed the gap that used to exist and the US is right there with them in terms of best on best.
Their depth is unmatched though.
Their depth is unmatched though.
2025 Wjc Discussion
- Thread starter TLEH
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Hawkaholic
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And it's not surprising that the gap has closed. I only know a few kids who even play hockey anymore. When I was a kid, every kid pretty much played.
DisgruntledHawkFan
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That's what happens when hockey becomes a sport for the rich. It's a national identity thing for Canada It's a niche sport for the US.
There's just a lot more money in the US.
There's just a lot more money in the US.
WarriorofTime
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The whole "we woulda won if so and so NHLer was there" would make about as much sense as a Kentucky or Duke basketball fan saying "we would have won the NCAA Tournament if all those 1 and Dones had hung around through their senior year"
Once you're in the NHL, you're not a Junior player anymore, imo. And at the end of the day, winning a tournament just means you won a tournament. Czechia isn't the number 1 hockey country because they won the world championships last year, it just means their team beat all the other teams that were there. You can look at trends and see how much better USA is doing at the U20 level the last 20 or so years compared to the prior 20 and draw what you will from it. Winning one individual tournament doesn't necessarily mean they're "better" just that they have bragging rights.
Once you're in the NHL, you're not a Junior player anymore, imo. And at the end of the day, winning a tournament just means you won a tournament. Czechia isn't the number 1 hockey country because they won the world championships last year, it just means their team beat all the other teams that were there. You can look at trends and see how much better USA is doing at the U20 level the last 20 or so years compared to the prior 20 and draw what you will from it. Winning one individual tournament doesn't necessarily mean they're "better" just that they have bragging rights.
BHawk21
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So if they had everyone available they would still be the top hockey power in the world.
(the topic of the discussion)
Yes but if you are talking about a countries best players under 20 it does matter that the best ones arent playing.
You said this in a much better way than I ever could have. Well said and I couldn't agree more.
Yea USA won and had the best team at the tournament, best coach, best management. No one is dicrediting that, most teams are missing some players anyways (Will Smith?)
However to say that USA has passed Canada in terms of developing young talent bcuz of the last 2 world juniors just cant be a conversation unless you include Celebrini and Bedard
However to say that USA has passed Canada in terms of developing young talent bcuz of the last 2 world juniors just cant be a conversation unless you include Celebrini and Bedard
- Aug 24, 2011
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But it’s not a country’s best u20 tournament. It’s a tournament with some of the best.
This is the third time I’ve asked now. Did Crosby, McDavid, Eichel, Matthews, and J. Hughes play in the WJC after being drafted by their NHL teams?
Wally1112pac
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Putt Pirate
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I have only seen people say the gap has closed. And it has.
In regards to G prospects......when was the last decent Canadian one? Do that and you will win more tourneys. Why can't Canada develop G?!
If you look at the US' progression the last 20 years (U18s and MJC) it is inevitable that USA will keep winning more and more. Just the way it is.
Wally1112pac
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I'm glad the U.S is winning tourneys. I hate the rift between Canada and the U.S when it comes to hockey. We should be cheering each other on when we're not playing each other. It should be us versus those damn Euros!!!
I don't know if the gap has closed. Since the 90's I've always consider the States to be in the same ball park as Canada when it comes to hockey talent. Look at the '96 U.S World Cup roster. It was pretty darn good. Then you have the Parise and Kane led teams. Very good rosters. Canada has always had better top end talent but the tier after that is relatively equal.
DisgruntledHawkFan
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Obviously. The gap is closing quickly and I think in the next decade or two the US will replace Canada as the gold standard. But 99.9% of posts you see about America being the best hockey nation on the planet is just people trying to get a rise out of Canadians.
BHawk21
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but the topic wasnt about that. It was about Canada not being the best hockey power.
