GDT: Gold Medal Game | USA vs Canada | 1/5 @ 9:30PM ET| TSN/NHLN

[bossram]

Countries by registered Hockey Players in 2018/19

1. Canada - 621,026
2. US - 567,908
3. Czech Republic - 121,613
4. Russia - 112,236
5. Finland - 64,641
6. Sweden - 55,431
7. Switzerland - 27,867
8. France - 21,667
9. Germany - 21,340
10. Japan - 18,837
Goes on to list another 10 countries - Ice hockey players in the world | Statista

The US has wayyyy more registered hockey players than the Czech Republic, Russia, Finand, Sweden and other combined. Countries where Hockey is definitely not a niche sport.

There is simply no way that Hockey is a niche sport in the US, you may think of it as such but the reality is there are 24 NHL teams with 20k seat arenas to host them. Its a big business, while it might not be as big as the NFL or MLB or even NBA, I think the stats clearly suggest that Hockey is well past the cutoff of being considered a "niche sport" in the US.

An example of a niche sport in the US would be Vollyball or Squash, not Hockey.

A more interesting comparison would be registered players/divided by people <55 or something like that. Sure, the U.S. has 5x the hockey players than the Czechs. But there's over 30x more Americans than Czechs. So I'd say that hockey is definitely more popular in the Czech Republic than in America.

Just going by % of population that plays hockey:
Canada - 1.65%
USA - 0.17%
Czech Republic - 1.14%
Sweden - 0.55%
Russia - 0.08%
Finland - 1.16%

So whether you want to call hockey a niche sport in the U.S., Americans aren't all that interested in playing. It's definitely more of a niche sport in America than in the Czech Republic, Finland, or Sweden.

 

[Back in Black]

8 hours to go....

 

[Solmors]

Countries by registered Hockey Players in 2018/19

1. Canada - 621,026
2. US - 567,908
3. Czech Republic - 121,613
4. Russia - 112,236
5. Finland - 64,641
6. Sweden - 55,431
7. Switzerland - 27,867
8. France - 21,667
9. Germany - 21,340
10. Japan - 18,837
Goes on to list another 10 countries - Ice hockey players in the world | Statista

The US has wayyyy more registered hockey players than the Czech Republic, Russia, Finand, Sweden and other combined. Countries where Hockey is definitely not a niche sport.

There is simply no way that Hockey is a niche sport in the US, you may think of it as such but the reality is there are 24 NHL teams with 20k seat arenas to host them. Its a big business, while it might not be as big as the NFL or MLB or even NBA, I think the stats clearly suggest that Hockey is well past the cutoff of being considered a "niche sport" in the US.

An example of a niche sport in the US would be Vollyball or Squash, not Hockey.

IMO one of the big reasons the US falls behind of expected performance in hockey is access and cost. I don't know about those other countries, but most areas in the US have few to no ice hockey rinks and those that are around are prohibitively expensive except for the top ~10-20% of income earners. It was too expensive for my family when I was young and I had an engineer and nurse for parents. Those other countries high on the list are cold weather places where you can skate outside on ponds/lakes/rivers for free for a good portion of the winter (Canada, CR. Russia, Finland, Sweden). There aren't many places in the US that it is cold enough for that, so we are stuck with $15+ each trip to the rink just to learn to skate.

Edit: I should also add that there is no good way to solve the cost issue either. Unless there is some huge technological breakthrough reducing refrigeration costs or faux/plastic ice gets significantly better, it will remain an expensive sport with limited access.

 

[NyQuil]

A more interesting comparison would be registered players/divided by people <55 or something like that. Sure, the U.S. has 5x the hockey players than the Czechs. But there's over 30x more Americans than Czechs. So I'd say that hockey is definitely more popular in the Czech Republic than in America.

Just going by % of population that plays hockey:
Canada - 1.65%
USA - 0.17%
Czech Republic - 1.14%
Sweden - 0.55%
Russia - 0.08%
Finland - 1.16%

So whether you want to call hockey a niche sport in the U.S., Americans aren't all that interested in playing. It's definitely more of a niche sport in America than in the Czech Republic, Finland, or Sweden.

Now do registered NASCAR class race car drivers .

Even more of a niche sport?

Or do spectators count?

 

[Cotton]

Countries by registered Hockey Players in 2018/19

1. Canada - 621,026
2. US - 567,908
3. Czech Republic - 121,613
4. Russia - 112,236
5. Finland - 64,641
6. Sweden - 55,431
7. Switzerland - 27,867
8. France - 21,667
9. Germany - 21,340
10. Japan - 18,837
Goes on to list another 10 countries - Ice hockey players in the world | Statista

The US has wayyyy more registered hockey players than the Czech Republic, Russia, Finand, Sweden and other combined. Countries where Hockey is definitely not a niche sport.

There is simply no way that Hockey is a niche sport in the US, you may think of it as such but the reality is there are 24 NHL teams with 20k seat arenas to host them. Its a big business, while it might not be as big as the NFL or MLB or even NBA, I think the stats clearly suggest that Hockey is well past the cutoff of being considered a "niche sport" in the US.

An example of a niche sport in the US would be Vollyball or Squash, not Hockey.

The percentage of registered players per capita is the telling number, not the raw numbers.

 

[Cotton]

IMO one of the big reasons the US falls behind of expected performance in hockey is access and cost. I don't know about those other countries, but most areas in the US have few to no ice hockey rinks and those that are around are prohibitively expensive except for the top ~10-20% of income earners. It was too expensive for my family when I was young and I had an engineer and nurse for parents. Those other countries high on the list are cold weather places where you can skate outside on ponds/lakes/rivers for free for a good portion of the winter (Canada, CR. Russia, Finland, Sweden). There aren't many places in the US that it is cold enough for that, so we are stuck with $15+ each trip to the rink just to learn to skate.

Edit: I should also add that there is no good way to solve the cost issue either. Unless there is some huge technological breakthrough reducing refrigeration costs or faux/plastic ice gets significantly better, it will remain an expensive sport with limited access.

It is absolutely too costly, but the US was still behind back when in wasn’t. And I’m not sure about climate as the Arctic North has only produced a handful of players while places that are warmer than Minnesota, like British Columbia, churn out talent.

I don’t think there is one, or even a couple, of reason to explain it.

 

[bossram]

Now do registered NASCAR class race car drivers .

Even more of a niche sport?

Or do spectators count?

Hey, I'm using the metrics XeroKaos used. I didn't even make a judgement of it is as a niche sport. I just said it was more nichey than in Sweden, Finland, or Czech Republic.

The point I'm making is that raw totals don't tell the story.

I don't know anything about Nascar, but it's popularity has been declining in terms of revenue and ratings. So...you tell me.

 

[sandysan]

Going to be a great final for sure. Hope the Canadians can get a few quick ones in on Knight. Not sure how I’d feel with a close game late in the 3rd, Levi hasn’t faced shooters like Kaliyev or Caufield before. USA definitely has the edge in net but with Canada’s depth we got this

definitely has the edge in net ?!?!?!?
I beg to differ

I think the net is close enough to even, I like canada's defense more, high end scoring talent is a wash and as you said Canada has more depth up and down the lineup.

if the US can withstand Canada coming out like their usual house on fire, their chances improve dramatically. if they are behind early, it does not look good for them.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

Well you can same the same for the shooters. When have they faced a real goalie? It is what it is, he has faced the best the tournament has...

An 11th overall pick with many considering him the best goalie not in the NHL before the tourney doesn't count I suppose?

 

[Confucius]

An 11th overall pick with many considering him the best goalie not in the NHL before the tourney doesn't count I suppose?

It's not about who may go on to have the best career, it's who is having the best tournament. Not only is LEVI posting the best numbers this tournament he is posting the best there has ever been.

 

[Rubi]

Seems my first comment in here got misconstrued a bit.


It was supposed to be nothing but a little light hearted banter toward Canadians.

I don’t have any ill will toward Canada at all, some of the nicest people I’ve met. One of my best friends is Canadian and lives in Dryden, Ontario.

That being said, still hope we smoke you guys, though I really doubt that happens

Thus proving that forum posts are a terrible medium where so much is lost in the reading and writing. Subtleties such as sarcasm and jest are more often than not, missed or misunderstood.
In another forum that I used to post in, if you were jesting you were expected to post your words in the color green so everyone would know that you weren't serious. It worked/works well and stands out like a $2 hooker in church.

 

[SFKingshomer]

US needs huge games from everyone to win.

 

[Rubi]

It's not about who may go on to have the best career, it's who is having the best tournament. Not only is LEVI posting the best numbers this tournament he is posting the best there has ever been.

I agree. Knight has been a disappointment in this tournament and right now I'm beginning to believe that he may turn out to be no better than average when he gets to the NHL.
Knight shouldn't even be in the conversation for MVP of the tournament as he's failed to walk the talk.
Levi, on the other hand, has been outstanding and a veritable brick wall in net.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

IMO one of the big reasons the US falls behind of expected performance in hockey is access and cost. I don't know about those other countries, but most areas in the US have few to no ice hockey rinks and those that are around are prohibitively expensive except for the top ~10-20% of income earners. It was too expensive for my family when I was young and I had an engineer and nurse for parents. Those other countries high on the list are cold weather places where you can skate outside on ponds/lakes/rivers for free for a good portion of the winter (Canada, CR. Russia, Finland, Sweden). There aren't many places in the US that it is cold enough for that, so we are stuck with $15+ each trip to the rink just to learn to skate.

Edit: I should also add that there is no good way to solve the cost issue either. Unless there is some huge technological breakthrough reducing refrigeration costs or faux/plastic ice gets significantly better, it will remain an expensive sport with limited access.

hockey is expansive even here,i know growing up i begged my parents to put me in hockey i would play it all the time outside with my friends but after looking at it they coudlnt afford it so instead put me in soccer ( which i also love ) but hockey was always my favorite sport

 

[brentashton]

So pretty much a thread full of dick waving until puck drop?

i was told that there are no dicks here on HFBoards??

 

[al secord]

i was told that there are no dicks here on HFBoards??

speak for yourself...

 

[NyQuil]

i was told that there are no dicks here on HFBoards??

 

[Confucius]

hockey is expansive even here,i know growing up i begged my parents to put me in hockey i would play it all the time outside with my friends but after looking at it they coudlnt afford it so instead put me in soccer ( which i also love ) but hockey was always my favorite sport

Would have been cool had you signed your post, LIONEL MESSI

 

[Rubi]

Going to be a great final for sure. Hope the Canadians can get a few quick ones in on Knight. Not sure how I’d feel with a close game late in the 3rd, Levi hasn’t faced shooters like Kaliyev or Caufield before. USA definitely has the edge in net but with Canada’s depth we got this

You're not serious right? Levi has been as solid as a rock no matter who he's faced. Knight on the other hand has let in some soft/bad goals.
Levi has faced 118 SOG and let in 3 for a Sv% of 0.975, Knight has faced 115 SOG and let in 9 for a Sv% of 0.922
My money is on Levi to prove, to all doubters such as yourself, that he's the superior goalie in this tournament.

 

[Master P]

USA vs canada for gold

And I just got the ability to like posts again. Oh well

 

[Confucius]

I agree. Knight has been a disappointment in this tournament and right now I'm beginning to believe that he may turn out to be no better than average when he gets to the NHL.
Knight shouldn't even be in the conversation for MVP of the tournament as he's failed to walk the talk.
Levi, on the other hand, has been outstanding and a veritable brick wall in net.

Talk about a guy that made the most of an opportunity. He wasn't even slotted as our #1 goalie. He stole the spot through his performance in the intra squad games.

I saw a couple of player interviews where they admit they don't know him and never heard of the guy before.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Would have been cool had you signed your post, LIONEL MESSI

Forca Portugal / Hala Madrid

 

[John Price]

 

[TheGroceryStick]

IF (big if) Canada and Russia win today, what are the groups looking like for next year? Was missing that excitement we typically see in the group stage this year, minus the Czechs beating the Russians.

Looks eerily similar to this year...if I'm reading correct.

Group a
Canada 1.
Finland 4.
Germany 6.
Slovakia 8.
Winner div 1





Group B
USA 2.
Russia 3.
Sweden 5.
Czech Rep 7.
Switzerland 9.

 

[Confucius]

You're not serious right? Levi has been as solid as a rock no matter who he's faced. Knight on the other hand has let in some soft/bad goals.
Levi has faced 118 SOG and let in 3 for a Sv% of 0.975, Knight has faced 115 SOG and let in 9 for a Sv% of 0.922
My money is on Levi to prove, to all doubters such as yourself, that he's the superior goalie in this tournament.

and none of the 3 were even strength goals.