How Do Canadian Fans Feel About Sons of Former Can Stars Playing For the USA

[Plante]

I don't understand why so many Canadian born players on US NHL teams decide to retire in the states. European players playing for Canadian or American NHL teams usually go back home. American born players playing in Canada are almost guaranteed to go back home.

Heck there's many cases of Canadians playing more years in Canada then are traded to a US team that stay.

Alfredsson couldn't get his family out of Canada quick enough when he went to Detroit. Even after only playing one year for the Red Wings they stayed in Michigan another year.......I think they moved back this year.

Can't be the weather, Sweden, Finland etc weathers similar to Canada's.

Can't be taxes, Sweden, Finlands taxes are similar to Canada.

Hell, many Canadian born players retire to upstate New York. Even Canadian officials move to the US. The best players in history are all now/were American, Howe, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux.
Leafs president Shanahan is now American, so is Joe Thornton. Former Leafs GM Dave Nonis lives in Vermont or NH.

In fact I think it's extremely rare for Canadian born players to move back home after they retire. Of course they may return, to visit Mom, Dad and the old family dog once in a while

More opportunity for your children down south. More opportunity in general.

 

[sxvnert]

Hadn't thought about it until I read this thread.

Meh.

 

[sxvnert]

I don't understand why so many Canadian born players on US NHL teams decide to retire in the states. European players playing for Canadian or American NHL teams usually go back home. American born players playing in Canada are almost guaranteed to go back home.

Heck there's many cases of Canadians playing more years in Canada then are traded to a US team that stay.

Alfredsson couldn't get his family out of Canada quick enough when he went to Detroit. Even after only playing one year for the Red Wings they stayed in Michigan another year.......I think they moved back this year.

Can't be the weather, Sweden, Finland etc weathers similar to Canada's.

Can't be taxes, Sweden, Finlands taxes are similar to Canada.

Hell, many Canadian born players retire to upstate New York. Even Canadian officials move to the US. The best players in history are all now/were American, Howe, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux.
Leafs president Shanahan is now American, so is Joe Thornton. Former Leafs GM Dave Nonis lives in Vermont or NH.

In fact I think it's extremely rare for Canadian born players to move back home after they retire. Of course they may return, to visit Mom, Dad and the old family dog once in a while

IMO weather is the main reason for Canadians staying south of the border. Euros will always feel more comfortable in a country that speaks their native language.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

If they don't want to play for Canada then Canada doesn't want them.

you do not find this line of thinking even to be a tad bit narcissistic?

 

[Menzinger]

I'm a little more bothered that Canadian players prefer to stay in the US and not returning to Canada after they retire. Compare to Europeans who the majority would rather return to their country. The kids I can get it since they grew up in the US so I can understand their lack of attachment to Canada. Beside, so far, not many kids of Canadian players suiting up for the US are that good that I'd wish they'd play for Canada. I didn't even care when Hull played for the US and he was born in Canada.

Eh people form new roots, develop new social networks of friends. Their kids are ins chools etc.

A kid who gets drafted to a US team at 18 and retires at 38 likely spends as much time in the US as his country of birth.

 

[canuck2010]

Don't forget that in many cases there is nothing to go back to. Leave home at 16 and play hockeysomewhere else for 15 years or so there is not really any point in going back to Smooth Rock Falls or Whitewood.

 

[puckpilot]

I'm a little more bothered that Canadian players prefer to stay in the US and not returning to Canada after they retire. Compare to Europeans who the majority would rather return to their country.

I don't understand why so many Canadian born players on US NHL teams decide to retire in the states. European players playing for Canadian or American NHL teams usually go back home. American born players playing in Canada are almost guaranteed to go back home.

This doesn't just happen with sports. It happens in all walks of life. When you leave home and build a life somewhere else, it's not exactly an easy thing to uproot everything just so you can move back to the homeland, especially with kids, and a wife.

For some, home is where you hang your hat.

As for why Europeans tend to move back, from what I see, they tend to make bigger efforts to maintain ties to their homes and cultures. They make sure their kids speak their native language and see their homeland.

For example, from what I've heard, the Sedins take their families back to Sweden during the summers. In the winters, they live in Canada. Their kids go to school in Canada etc.

Also, there's a bigger difference in culture when comparing Europe and the USA/Canada vs Canada and USA. So a Canadian living in the USA may not feel that there's a whole lot of difference living in one country vs another. Or at least not enough of one to uproot the family and move back.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

If they're born and raised in America, they're American. I don't see any issue with that.

 

[kihei]

I think a lot of these guys are born in the States so it's understandable, and as for the others, taxes may play a role, too. It is not a decision that I would even contemplate making, but to each their own.

 

[Canuck21t]

I think what's more interesting is that so few kids with Euro parents playing in the NHL do not play for the US or Canada. Look at the Nylanders, they were both born in the North America, Willy played all his junior hockey until he was 14 in the US/Canada. He even had to get a dispensation from the IIHL to play for Sweden because he had not lived/played there long enough to qualify. Or someone like Alex Steen, born and bred in Canada, his family still live in Winnipeg and yet there was never a doubt that he'd represent any other country but Sweden.

Remember the big scandal in Nagano when Ulf Samuelsson got disqualified for being an American citizen and therefore lost his Swedish citizenship (at the time Sweden did not allow dual citizenship). His kids all played mostly in the US, possibly also holding dual citizenship (or at least they qualify because of birth) all represent Sweden internationally. I can't think of a Swedish kid born in NA who play for any other country but Sweden?

My feeling is that no one ever will with the possible exception of Erik Karlsson since he's said several times that he doesn't feel Swedish any more and his fiancée is Canadian and in all likelyhood all his kids will be born half-canadian in Canada, which I presume will qualify them for Canadian citizenship.

Europeans simply have a better sense of nationality than Canadians. That and also there are not much differences between Canadians and Americans. Canadians can bland in American society in no time so it's easier to switch. I believe most Canadian players playing in Europe return to Canada?

Eh people form new roots, develop new social networks of friends. Their kids are ins chools etc.

A kid who gets drafted to a US team at 18 and retires at 38 likely spends as much time in the US as his country of birth.

Yet Europeans still go back to their country.

Also, there's a bigger difference in culture when comparing Europe and the USA/Canada vs Canada and USA. So a Canadian living in the USA may not feel that there's a whole lot of difference living in one country vs another. Or at least not enough of one to uproot the family and move back.

How do you explain American players always go back to the US? It bothers me a little that Canadians are not patriotic and are quick to leave Canada compared to other citizens of other countries. I guess with the Americans, Canadian taxes are enough reason to go back to the US LOL and who could blame them? Come to think of it, I think taxes are the #1 reason Canadian players stay in the US.

Alfredsson couldn't get his family out of Canada quick enough when he went to Detroit. Even after only playing one year for the Red Wings they stayed in Michigan another year.......I think they moved back this year.

He probably stayed in Michigan another year for logistics reason. Alfredsson is one of the few foreigners who seems to love Canada, or at least Ottawa. He became a Canadian citizen just recently during the 2016 World Cup when he's already in retirement for 2 years. Normally players get citizenship for practical reasons whilst playing for a team, but after retirement? I think he feels a deep connection to Ottawa. An interesting note is that his brother Henric who played with the Ottawa 67's junior team stayed in Ottawa after his junior hockey career was complete, and now works for the Ottawa Police Service.

 

[mjlee]

For example, from what I've heard, the Sedins take their families back to Sweden during the summers. In the winters, they live in Canada. Their kids go to school in Canada etc.

I remember way back when Lidstrom's kids hit school age and he very seriously considered moving back to Sweden to make sure they did not lose their Swedishness (for lack of a better term). And he made it very clear that it was not a matter of money, some of the reactions were rather amusing.

Dugg up an old Mitch Ahlbom piece http://www.mitchalbom.com/to-keep-lidstrom-id-move-mountains/:

The Red Wings, eliminated from the playoffs after two Stanley Cups, now face a big problem. The man many call their best player, Nick Lidstrom, all-star defenseman, is thinking of moving back to Sweden. I have a better idea.
Let’s move Sweden here.

There is obviously something special about Sweden. Why else would Lidstrom, only 29, in the prime of his career, turn his back on a two-time Stanley Cup winner? Why else would he walk away from the potentially richest contract of his life? We’re talking $5-6 million a year. And he’s still reaching for his passport? There must be more to Sweden than meets the eye.

Lidstrom has been saying all year that he wants to go home because he has a wife and young children, and they prefer to live a Swedish life.
I can understand that. We all want to feel at home. Which is why I figure, what the heck, let’s dig up Sweden and make a home for the Lidstroms right here. Come on. It’s not that big a country. We can find a nice empty stretch of northern Michigan that wouldn’t mind going Swede for a few years.

Then get it. What’s a few more bucks? The Wings are prepared to spend a fortune. Everyone loves the guy. Steve Yzerman, the Wings’ captain, said over and over after the last game against Colorado, “Nick is the best player on the team. Nobody can do all the things he does. We can’t lose him.â€
I agree. Today, Stockholm; tomorrow, the reindeer. We’re packing up cottages, windmills, rowboats, milk cartons, Ingemar Stenmark and the local smorgasbord.
If it’s all for Lidstrom, it’s all worth it. The Wings want to know his plans. His agent wants to know his plans. The fans want to know his plans.
I am way beyond that. What I want to know is where he wants his mother’s house put down. That’s what I want to know.

 

[torero]

I don't understand why so many Canadian born players on US NHL teams decide to retire in the states. European players playing for Canadian or American NHL teams usually go back home. American born players playing in Canada are almost guaranteed to go back home.

Heck there's many cases of Canadians playing more years in Canada then are traded to a US team that stay.

Alfredsson couldn't get his family out of Canada quick enough when he went to Detroit. Even after only playing one year for the Red Wings they stayed in Michigan another year.......I think they moved back this year.

Can't be the weather, Sweden, Finland etc weathers similar to Canada's.

Can't be taxes, Sweden, Finlands taxes are similar to Canada.

Hell, many Canadian born players retire to upstate New York. Even Canadian officials move to the US. The best players in history are all now/were American, Howe, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux.
Leafs president Shanahan is now American, so is Joe Thornton. Former Leafs GM Dave Nonis lives in Vermont or NH.

In fact I think it's extremely rare for Canadian born players to move back home after they retire. Of course they may return, to visit Mom, Dad and the old family dog once in a while

Local climat temperature ?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

A lot of these Canadian players in U.S. markets end up marrying Americans. I would wager that's a major reason so many stay behind. Doesn't hurt you can get a small town feel with additional economic and climate advantages.

 

[JackSlater]

A lot of these Canadian players in U.S. markets end up marrying Americans. I would wager that's a major reason so many stay behind. Doesn't hurt you can get a small town feel with additional economic and climate advantages.

Yeah, that's the gist of it. Canadians are inundated with American culture, so it's mostly a comfortable place for them to live culturally. The climate in many places is better than that in Canada, and USA is a great country to live in if you have lots of money. If you've got an American wife who has run your household for years while you were in the NHL... it makes sense that you would stay in the United States where you and your family are already comfortable?

Even with the above said though, there are still cases where the Canadians come back. For instance, Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Canadian WJC team is the son of a Canadian professional hockey player and an American woman from the southern United States, and they moved back to Quebec.

 

[Bood12]

is Belarus bitter that Wayne Gretzky went on to play for Team Canada, how about the Macedonians over Stamkos? Jamaicans over Subban?................

 

[Christ]

Could care less myself. Where I would have issues is with someone born in Canada who played a large part of his junior years in Canada moving to the States and then playing there. Just to be clear, I am also not a fan of players born and raised in other nations coming to Canada and representing Canada either...

 

[Noble]

It really doesn't bother me at all. There are enough home grown Canadian kids with talent to keep hockey Canada competitive and contending.

 

[Confucius]

It's all good in my opinion. Making it to the NHL is a testament to where you learned the game. Sure your parents helped but it is still more about where you learned it.

I do have a problem with players representing a country where they never played a single year of development.

Edit to add. I have wondered in the past about players from non traditional hockey areas. Just how much better would they have been had they grown up in a hockey environment like southern Ontario? Where kids that love and excell at the game are constantly playing with their friends, hanging around the local arena and outdoor arenas. Much different than growing up where the opportunities are greatly reduced and the social structure of the neighborhoods aren't as hockey eccentric.

 

[Pestilence]

My feeling is that no one ever will with the possible exception of Erik Karlsson since he's said several times that he doesn't feel Swedish

Where has he said that?

 

[Dod93Cityt]

As a dual citizen, this thread is going a lot more friendly than I thought it would when I saw it. I fully expected it to go full Sydney Leroux

Yeah, you can tell the OP is trying to get a rise out of people.

 

[Cawz]

Must be hard to have Canadian players living and staying in the US post-career and have their kids develop into stars for the USA...

Not really "hard". Its a bit weird to see (not sure if "weird" is the right term either), but its understandable. If a Canadian superstar went on to have a kid that became an American superstar, that might be even weirder (like if Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman or Sakic etc had a kid who became a US national team star).

 

[sawchuk1971]

If they don't want to play for Canada then Canada doesn't want them.

taxes are too high in canada....thats one reason why canadian players become american citizens.........

 

[Confucius]

taxes are too high in canada....thats one reason why canadian players become american citizens.........

Generally the player leaves Canada at a young age, has success in a new community as a star. After a few years it's hard to leave that and comeback. Especially if you start a family and the new place is all your family knows. Why uproot them? Carry on..

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

Yeah, you can tell the OP is trying to get a rise out of people.

OP does kinda, sorta have an interesting point. Random example, but both my parents are Canadian and I was born in Montréal, but moved to the US at a young age (6). I played *very* high level soccer all through until I graduated High School. Obviously, I never made it, but had I ever gotten to the point of choosing, I would have chosen to represent the US without so much as a second thought. I was born Canadian, but I *am* American. No slight intended to Canada, it is a great country and I enjoy living here, but I am an American first.

If I ever did become something, would Canadian fans hold ill will towards me? The thought has occasionally crossed my mind out of idle curiosity.

 

[Not Sure]

OP does kinda, sorta have an interesting point. Random example, but both my parents are Canadian and I was born in Montréal, but moved to the US at a young age (6). I played *very* high level soccer all through until I graduated High School. Obviously, I never made it, but had I ever gotten to the point of choosing, I would have chosen to represent the US without so much as a second thought. I was born Canadian, but I *am* American. No slight intended to Canada, it is a great country and I enjoy living here, but I am an American first.

If I ever did become something, would Canadian fans hold ill will towards me? The thought has occasionally crossed my mind out of idle curiosity.

Honestly I don't think it matter where you were born, it's more about where you grew up. If you leave at a young age and the majority of your training happened in one place or another thats the team you should play for. The nation training you is paying a lot of money to develop players, and I think that's lost on hockey because it costs so much to parents and players for equipment and fees. Even though you are paying a lot the individual and local leagues put a lot of money and effort into it as well. The government and national teams help pay for rinks and coache's to an extent, high school and college teams are funded through grants etc. This is much more noticeable in football where it costs little to actually play but equipment and training is provided cheap or free while the coaches could be making millions and are some of the highest paid public employees in most states.