GDT: Group A - May 12 - Great Britain vs Canada

[Theokritos]

Also great to see England at the Worlds.

Whoa.

Like, it's great to see Ontario at the Worlds.

 

[fouba]

Anyone who thinks this game is a cake walk for team Canada gonna have a rude awakening.
Brits have created a very well balanced, smart tactic, top notch goaltending ala Bowns + they were surprisingly physical in game#1

Yes, Canada is way better in screening goalies what Germany is but still, its not gonna be easy to get pucks past that D and Bowns.

This

 

[Coatsy79]

This was always to be expected and it doesn't make me any less proud to be a GB fan.

This will be the first and last time many GB players play the likes of Canada in competitive hockey. Just two years ago we were playing the likes of Japan, Estonia and the Netherlands.. but right now we are playing Canada. For a GB fan, knowing how small ice hockey is in the UK and how poor the junior development system is here, the fact we have gotten this far is nothing short of incredible. 25 years since we last played in the top division.. 25 years. I wasn't even born.

The majority of players on this GB roster played their juniors against teams who had players who could barely skate, at rinks where the ice was barely frozen and anything but flat, rinks with no bench doors, rinks with no plexi glass. Yet here they are. I often imagine what would Team GB look like if there was an actual decent development system in place. Regardless of every result, the fact GB are at this competition is a absolutely massive inspiration for our young players.

It's an honour to play every team in these World Championships, it's the top group for a reason. The best of the best, and GB are a part of that.

Well said, it does make me sad we can't get a proper development system in place, we can do it for other sports, we could be half decent if we actually tried, not Canada/usa/scandi decent, but we should be able to compete with the Germanys/Latvias of the world

 

[Chloraflora]

I mean look at Denmark. They've built a solid program there in recent years, with not much hockey history, and are now a reasonably well established D1 side with a smattering of regular NHL'ers. I don't think it's inconceivable for us to aim for that.

 

[jonas2244]

I mean look at Denmark. They've built a solid program there in recent years, with not much hockey history, and are now a reasonably well established D1 side with a smattering of regular NHL'ers. I don't think it's inconceivable for us to aim for that.

Denmark has a lot of players in the Swedish youth system. British players would have to go to other countries (Sweden, Finland, Switzerland) to get that going.

 

[Chloraflora]

Denmark has a lot of players in the Swedish youth system. British players would have to go to other countries (Sweden, Finland, Switzerland) to get that going.

No doubt. They could go to North America if they didn't want to deal with the language barrier, though young footballers have started taking off for the continent which is great.

 

[GBHockey]

For a little bit more perspective regarding the incredible differences between GB and Canada..

In total, Canada's roster is earning around $65m+ per year and GB's is £550,000 ($715,000).

Carter Hart's base salary and signing bonus equates to more than the GB rosters entire yearly earnings.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

More like 20% Canada, we're playing more of our own these days!

Well
My bad

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

This was always to be expected and it doesn't make me any less proud to be a GB fan.

This will be the first and last time many GB players play the likes of Canada in competitive hockey. Just two years ago we were playing the likes of Japan, Estonia and the Netherlands.. but right now we are playing Canada. For a GB fan, knowing how small ice hockey is in the UK and how poor the junior development system is here, the fact we have gotten this far is nothing short of incredible. 25 years since we last played in the top division.. 25 years. I wasn't even born.

The majority of players on this GB roster played their juniors against teams who had players who could barely skate, at rinks where the ice was barely frozen and anything but flat, rinks with no bench doors, rinks with no plexi glass. Yet here they are. I often imagine what would Team GB look like if there was an actual decent development system in place. Regardless of every result, the fact GB are at this competition is a absolutely massive inspiration for our young players.

It's an honour to play every team in these World Championships, it's the top group for a reason. The best of the best, and GB are a part of that.

Will the interest in hockey in the UK improve because of this tournament? I've always been curious how much an achievement like playing in a tournament with the best in the world actually impacts countries where that sport isn't popular with a large portion of the population.

It's kind of like soccer in Canada. Sure, it's cool to hop on the bandwagon if Canada (men's or women's team) has some international success, but I'm not sure how much better the development programs at the grassroots levels have become because of it.

So I was wondering if this kind of thing could see a dramatic improvement in the grassroots levels of hockey in GB, or if it will be a fad that only the diehard hockey fans will care about in a year's time.

 

[NyQuil]

Hey, I can only imagine what it would be like for a British hockey player to line up against Canada.

They’ve worked very hard to get into this pool.

 

[jj cale]

Even match coming. Both teams are have lost a game 1-3. At least both teams have done better than USA, who lost 1-4. Great Britain ahead of USA, it's as if we traveled some 90 years back in time.

You should have known better then this, I guess I just have to get used to that from you guys after a a win or two.

Actually I already have, and so is everyone else.

 

[GBHockey]

Will the interest in hockey in the UK improve because of this tournament? I've always been curious how much an achievement like playing in a tournament with the best in the world actually impacts countries where that sport isn't popular with a large portion of the population.

It's kind of like soccer in Canada. Sure, it's cool to hop on the bandwagon if Canada (men's or women's team) has some international success, but I'm not sure how much better the development programs at the grassroots levels have become because of it.

So I was wondering if this kind of thing could see a dramatic improvement in the grassroots levels of hockey in GB, or if it will be a fad that only the diehard hockey fans will care about in a year's time.

Unfortunately I'd go with the latter, that only the die hard fans will care in a years time.

Exposure over here has been more than normal but still very obscure. I've seen one newspaper article which I believe was the Daily Mail or Sunday Mail, not exactly the most reputable newspaper though. The BBC mentioned GB for about 15 seconds on the breakfast news on Friday and the BBC website released an article and tweet about GB and the Championships, but besides that there's not been much.

Coverage of the World Championships is being shown for free on a channel over here called FreeSports, and that is also a very obscure channel not known by many. Typically show lower league European football, some Rugby and maybe Speedway, alongside Hockey.

I'd expect interest to increase but only very slightly. If the BBC or SkySports showed even one game, with knowledgeable hosts then I'd say interest would increase a lot but since the coverage is little, I just can't see it having a wide reach beyond current hockey fans or those with at least a mild interest in the sport. It should however, help domestic clubs in terms of sponsorships and possibly player recruitment. It may also help the governing bodies, Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association in receiving funding from central government. I can only guess though, if neither of the governing bodies apply for increased funding and present a case of why, which would revolve around these championships and wanting to remain in the top division, I'll be very disappointed.

The rink situation over here is dreadful as well. Ice time for hockey is usually second best to public skating, and in some cases, figure/speed skating.

The one thing I'm hoping for is the NHL to give us here in the UK a game or two.

 

[Tutu to]

Well said, it does make me sad we can't get a proper development system in place, we can do it for other sports, we could be half decent if we actually tried, not Canada/usa/scandi decent, but we should be able to compete with the Germanys/Latvias of the world

I mean Germany does have a player like Draisaitl. Also some recent first round picks.

 

[Kiev the Great]

Will the interest in hockey in the UK improve because of this tournament? I've always been curious how much an achievement like playing in a tournament with the best in the world actually impacts countries where that sport isn't popular with a large portion of the population.

It's kind of like soccer in Canada. Sure, it's cool to hop on the bandwagon if Canada (men's or women's team) has some international success, but I'm not sure how much better the development programs at the grassroots levels have become because of it.

So I was wondering if this kind of thing could see a dramatic improvement in the grassroots levels of hockey in GB, or if it will be a fad that only the diehard hockey fans will care about in a year's time.

It's too obscure a championship unfortunately. If GB could qualify for an Olympics, then I think there could be a big effect. During Olympics there's wall to wall coverage on BBC and they show plenty if hockey either as the featured sport or on demand. I seem to remember there was a very big audience for the USA vs Russia during the Sochi games. Get a GB game on and they'd probably get more viewers in one afternoon than the combined total of every league game.

 

[Chloraflora]

Unfortunately I'd go with the latter, that only the die hard fans will care in a years time.

Exposure over here has been more than normal but still very obscure. I've seen one newspaper article which I believe was the Daily Mail or Sunday Mail, not exactly the most reputable newspaper though. The BBC mentioned GB for about 15 seconds on the breakfast news on Friday and the BBC website released an article and tweet about GB and the Championships, but besides that there's not been much.

Coverage of the World Championships is being shown for free on a channel over here called FreeSports, and that is also a very obscure channel not known by many. Typically show lower league European football, some Rugby and maybe Speedway, alongside Hockey.

I'd expect interest to increase but only very slightly. If the BBC or SkySports showed even one game, with knowledgeable hosts then I'd say interest would increase a lot but since the coverage is little, I just can't see it having a wide reach beyond current hockey fans or those with at least a mild interest in the sport. It should however, help domestic clubs in terms of sponsorships and possibly player recruitment. It may also help the governing bodies, Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association in receiving funding from central government. I can only guess though, if neither of the governing bodies apply for increased funding and present a case of why, which would revolve around these championships and wanting to remain in the top division, I'll be very disappointed.

The rink situation over here is dreadful as well. Ice time for hockey is usually second best to public skating, and in some cases, figure/speed skating.

The one thing I'm hoping for is the NHL to give us here in the UK a game or two.

I went to the two games the Kings/Ducks played at the O2 back in the day 12-13 years ago? Packed house both days, though how many were locals is anyone's guess.

 

[unknownbrother]

Will the interest in hockey in the UK improve because of this tournament? I've always been curious how much an achievement like playing in a tournament with the best in the world actually impacts countries where that sport isn't popular with a large portion of the population.

It's kind of like soccer in Canada. Sure, it's cool to hop on the bandwagon if Canada (men's or women's team) has some international success, but I'm not sure how much better the development programs at the grassroots levels have become because of it.

So I was wondering if this kind of thing could see a dramatic improvement in the grassroots levels of hockey in GB, or if it will be a fad that only the diehard hockey fans will care about in a year's time.

It's not major enough for the average sports fan to know about it. The channel showing the games isn't a big network. It's only been on the air for two years or so and because it shows a lot of foreign league and lower league sports plus a few obscure things not many people acknowledge or care to check what's on. It also isn't in HD unless you pay for their online streaming service.

No major news network or channel has given any significant coverage other than a few tweets and a 10-15 second mention on BBC Breakfast on Friday.

Somebody already mentioned the Olympics would be a major step in getting more interest because almost everyone remotely interested in a sport of any kind watches it and in the UK it's a listed sporting event, like the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon tennis, etc., that has to shown on free to air terrestrial network like the BBC or ITV.