Steady decline in youth hockey participation in Canada raises concerns about the future of sport

BigGoalBrad

Registered User
Jun 3, 2012
10,318
3,092
It’s crazy the NHL is as big as it is given the low participation these days. Lacrosse is 2-3 times as popular in terms of kids playing but has no pro league of significance.

I replaced my high school gear 20 years out a couple months ago gloves elbow pads helmet coat $500 for the lower end gear. You can probably join a country club for the same costs as youth hockey or have a boat. Not to mention the politics a poor kid in the town leagues doesn’t have anywhere near the opportunities the others do.
 
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The Gr8 Dane

L'harceleur
Jan 19, 2018
12,090
23,497
Montreal
Are other sports drastically increasing or are kids playing video games instead?
Its not affordable man we play soccer for free growing up. Rich kids still play hockey I'm not sure their numbers are really plummeting that much. Relative to population probably but in sheer number i doubt it
 

Fataldogg

Registered User
Mar 22, 2007
12,460
3,787
If cost is the barrier to entry, why not reduce the cost to play the sport? What is preventing them? Are the profit margins already razor thin as is?
 

Golden_Jet

Registered User
Sep 21, 2005
24,536
12,357
If cost is the barrier to entry, why not reduce the cost to play the sport? What is preventing them? Are the profit margins already razor thin as is?
The biggest cost, unless playing on the street or an ODR, is ice, not much control over that.
 
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ameselare

Registered User
Mar 30, 2024
351
367
vancouver
The biggest cost, unless playing on the street or an ODR, is ice, not much control over that.
If cost is the barrier to entry, why not reduce the cost to play the sport? What is preventing them? Are the profit margins already razor thin as is?
There's also plenty of wealthy families who can, will, and do spend outrageous amounts of money on specialized camps, equipment, etc throughout the year to take their kids to the next level. How would lower/average income families even begin to compete with that, even if the barrier to entry is lowered?
 

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