Canada with no medals at WHC and U20 WHC two years in a row

[SharksFan1992]

Most of Canada's best players aren't even there. I couldn't care less about the World Championships.

 

[TheBigFour]

Acting like russia would’ve made any difference. The country hasn’t won gold at WJC and WHC more than decade lol

 

[ViD]

How ya gonna hate from outside of the club, you can't get in?

enjoy ya 10 game summit with Belarus. Just make sure both teams get back to their 9-5 when it’s all said and done.

You do realize how pathetic it sounds? Russia was barred from participating for non sport related reasons and for a precedent that other hockey nations were not.

 

[ViD]

Most of Canada's best players aren't even there. I couldn't care less about the World Championships.

I will completely disagree. I heard quite a few Canadian fans calling this squad best in ages if not decades

 

[Turin]

I’m sorry that’s nothing but an ASG replacement. Nobody will ever brag of winning some 4N tournament

Nobody who matters brags about WHC's either.

 

[ViD]

Nobody who matters brags about WHC's either.

WHC is a part of the Triple Gold Club, and while unofficial, it is most certainly valued

 

[MoneyManny]

I'm sure cricket is on the verge of being more popular than hockey in many parts of the country so it surprises absolutely no one.

 

[TheBigFour]

Also this reminds of time where Canada had period where they lost four straight QF’s games leading up to Sochi and people started to act hockey Canada was in crisis. All that talk disappeared quickly after the olympics.

 

[Fledgemyhedge]

My point is, if you love hockey as a whole, you'd watch any level of it. Not just best on best. If you only like the NHL, you'd only watch NHL related events.

Not trying to call anyone out, I think it's pretty straightforward actually.

You’re right. But that’s not the question here. I don’t think it’s weird to like the WHC but I think it’s not the best way to measure the “health” of a hockey nation which this thread is trying to do.

A much better way is to judge by
1)WJC- the best of each countries youth/future
Ex. A pattern of Canada not medaling there would suggest something to be worried about (actually happened)

2) Best on best Olympic style tournament.
Best players from each country fighting for gold. Enough said.

 

[Pieck]

These things happen sometimes (and it’s great for the sport and fun to see) and idk why people make such a big deal of it unless it’s a long term trend. I’m not worried

 

[KaprizovSaveUs]

They’re focusing on curling

 

[Pieck]

I will completely disagree. I heard quite a few Canadian fans calling this squad best in ages if not decades

It is a good squad. You don’t get Crosby and MacKinnon every year, among others. But do you seriously think this team losing a game means the country is doomed forever now?

 

[ORRFForever]

And that’s without Russia participating.

Canada Hockey crisis is evident.

The 4 nation gimmicky tournament is not serious.

You are so funny, ViD. My laugh for the day. God bless you, brother.

 

[BIitz]

You’re right. But that’s not the question here. I don’t think it’s weird to like the WHC but I think it’s not the best way to measure the “health” of a hockey nation which this thread is trying to do.

A much better way is to judge by
1)WJC- the best of each countries youth/future
Ex. A pattern of Canada not medaling there would suggest something to be worried about (actually happened)

2) Best on best Olympic style tournament.
Best players from each country fighting for gold. Enough said.

Agreed in that I don't think HC is going through a crisis or anything close to that. Disappointing results for sure, but lots of factors at play.

4Nations and WHC each have drawbacks and I view them equally more or less. When I view someones career holistically, these would be tertiary achievements (After NHL stats, and team/olympic achievements). 4 Nations definitely has more talent but there were only 4 teams and a handful of games played. WJC doesn't mean much on a career resume to me.

Olympics with full player availability is the pinnacle, and Canada would still be the favourites.

I think I just like to defend the WHC because its one of the few senior international events we have on the hockey calendar. I like seeing guys like Ehlers, or Josi, or Stutzle try to make a name for their country by taking on much more talented rosters. Also it makes you realize the euro pros aren't plugs, which in turn makes you appreciate just how good top 4/6 NHLers are.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

that's the least of Canada's problems

 

[kp61c]

no need to bring russia into this, you should let it go

 

[JKG33]

You’re right. But that’s not the question here. I don’t think it’s weird to like the WHC but I think it’s not the best way to measure the “health” of a hockey nation which this thread is trying to do.

A much better way is to judge by
1)WJC- the best of each countries youth/future
Ex. A pattern of Canada not medaling there would suggest something to be worried about (actually happened)

2) Best on best Olympic style tournament.
Best players from each country fighting for gold. Enough said.

This. Hockey Canada (and Canada in general) is in trouble. But a loser tournament that they have to beg players to play in is not the red flag indicator that some people are making it out to be

 

[Emerica]

time to have a summit

 

[karlstegger]

no need to bring russia into this, you should let it go

He just can't

 

[SanDogBrewin]

LoL is that all ? Wow what a drought. It will not be long before Canada is dominating again. There short droughts don't last long.

 

[JackSlater]

I can smell the desperation from coming off the OP. I will agree that given Canada's high standards this is not something that can be accepted. Very few people are going to care all that much about the WC results, though certainly more was expected of the strong 2025 team, but people very much care about the recent WJC failures. The four nations win dwarfs the failures, but there will be significant issues if Canada does not win the 2026 Olympic tournament. Honestly heads may roll just from Canada losing the 2026 WJC.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Acting like russia would’ve made any difference. The country hasn’t won gold at WJC and WHC more than decade lol

Exactly. Many forget this

 

[WarriorofTime]

Exactly. Many forget this

They make semifinals regularly which bars other teams from medalling though. It's significantly easier to make the podium without Russia because frequently they're a team you have to beat to get onto podium (which is top 3) and they win their fair share of those games.

 

[Eye of Ra]

They make semifinals regularly which bars other teams from medalling though. It's significantly easier to make the podium without Russia because frequently they're a team you have to beat to get onto podium (which is top 3) and they win their fair share of those games.

I know. But fact remains that Russia rarely wins gold. They should have won more golds. When even Sweden, Finland have more golds...you know something is wrong.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I know. But fact remains that Russia rarely wins gold. They should have won more golds. When even Sweden, Finland have more golds...you know something is wrong.

That is separate topic, sure I agree with what you say. But if topic is relative ease to make top 3, no Russia certainly improves odds statistically because even if rarely the winner these days they are often "in the mix" so to speak.