The u.S has 550,000 registered players.......................those players come from places with a strong hockey culture. If they didn't, they wouldn't be playing hockey thats for sure.
They have rinks to beat the band, all the best programs you could find in Canada and a lot more money then Canada or anyone else plus the strongest domestic league in the world that is dedicated to making the U.S.A the strongest hockey nation on earth. No one else has all that, not even Canada.
They are on an even footing with Canada when it comes to hockey, no question about it. They don't have any more excuses then Canada.
By the way, I know we are terrible and all but we have won the last two best on best olympics both on the n.h.l and international ice size rink and we are the defending gold medalists here also.
When Switzerland does that.................................take all the shots you want at us.