I have never said the US is a stronger hockey country now as they aren't and for the foreseeable future won't be. My point is best on best, single elimination they can win
probably 30-40% of the time.
WJC: What's right with USA?
- Thread starter razor ray
- Start date
I have never said the US is a stronger hockey country now as they aren't and for the foreseeable future won't be. My point is best on best, single elimination they can win
probably 30-40% of the time.
This is absolutely true and as been for a long time. I have pointed out in the past the US talent born 1955-58, which would have corresponded with the 1976-77 NCAA season (year I graduated College) produced more talent than Sweden
and Czechoslovakia and if hockey infrastructure of today existed then, including NTDP, arguably The Soviets which had down years until 1958 DOB.
MuckOG
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miscs75
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It’s moreso the inaccessibility of them which is why I want them as a cigar smoker. We’ll keep North Dakota and instead trade them Chicago style pizza for Cuban cigars.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
What's right with USA Hockey?
Skating.
It should be clear to all that has been the primary driver for the success of this country. Developing players that can consistently go north and south in waves making it a nightmare for defenses to keep up with.
This team made that obvious. It wasn't close to the most talented teams on paper we sent before, but it played a team game due to amazing coaching that focused on their strength: Skating.
It was never more apparent that was true then in overtime when Finland essentially was terrified to get caught deep and barely ever made a push knowing how fast the Americans were with all their lines.
I am not saying skating fast simply wins gold medals but year after year you see a majority of our top prospects as elite level skaters. This isn't by chance. It is on purpose.
The game has opened up since our truculence days we just seemed to have finally come to our senses faster than a few other countries have. Next years team will be a true test as clearly lacking talent compared to last 2 years but still plenty of burners to be on the roster.
Skating.
It should be clear to all that has been the primary driver for the success of this country. Developing players that can consistently go north and south in waves making it a nightmare for defenses to keep up with.
This team made that obvious. It wasn't close to the most talented teams on paper we sent before, but it played a team game due to amazing coaching that focused on their strength: Skating.
It was never more apparent that was true then in overtime when Finland essentially was terrified to get caught deep and barely ever made a push knowing how fast the Americans were with all their lines.
I am not saying skating fast simply wins gold medals but year after year you see a majority of our top prospects as elite level skaters. This isn't by chance. It is on purpose.
The game has opened up since our truculence days we just seemed to have finally come to our senses faster than a few other countries have. Next years team will be a true test as clearly lacking talent compared to last 2 years but still plenty of burners to be on the roster.
King'sPawn
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I think the NTDP plays a big part of it. A large pool of players spend so much time playing on the same team and with each other. It's easier to rebuild chemistry and re-learn a system (if need be). With short tournaments like this, getting everyone on board faster helps.
Canada has 60 major junior teams alone. And there's a wide margin in resources, talent, and style of play. They're closer to getting 20ish strangers playing different systems that have a steeper learning curve.
I think it's why they also dominate and play a lot better with a superstar, like Bedard/McDavid/etc on the team. They have a focal point of what they're going to do.
All respect to the Canadian players this year, but none of them are at that level at this time. While they all have very good skill, it's not enough to make up the chemistry and learning styles of the other teams.
Other nations, like Finland, Sweden, Czechia, etc don't have an NTDP team, but they have a smaller pool of teams where it's easier to identify a style that works for them.
I think they'd benefit from having a national team that plays against the three major junior leagues.
Canada has 60 major junior teams alone. And there's a wide margin in resources, talent, and style of play. They're closer to getting 20ish strangers playing different systems that have a steeper learning curve.
I think it's why they also dominate and play a lot better with a superstar, like Bedard/McDavid/etc on the team. They have a focal point of what they're going to do.
All respect to the Canadian players this year, but none of them are at that level at this time. While they all have very good skill, it's not enough to make up the chemistry and learning styles of the other teams.
Other nations, like Finland, Sweden, Czechia, etc don't have an NTDP team, but they have a smaller pool of teams where it's easier to identify a style that works for them.
I think they'd benefit from having a national team that plays against the three major junior leagues.
Golden_Jet
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You forgot Canadians get to games by canoe or dog sled, and Americans have worked their way up to using dial-up modems now.
Golden_Jet
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They have a ton of people and a lot of them can afford the training and they have the facilities and they can attract great coaches.
I do think soccer will take over there long term from hockey, maybe other sports aswell. Hockey wise they won’t drop off too much but a tad down south.
I do think soccer will take over there long term from hockey, maybe other sports aswell. Hockey wise they won’t drop off too much but a tad down south.
The population arguments don't hold any water.
For one, we can look at registered skaters and see that there is no advantage for the US vis-a-vis Canada.
But it also leaves out the which types of athletes are actually available from within each population. The US is not drawing its best athletes out of its large pool of people. If you are an elite athlete in the US, you are almost certainly choosing to play one of football/basketball/baseball. And if you don't choose one of the big three, you're as likely to choose track/soccer/lacrosse or any number of other sports as you are hockey. That is not the case in Canada, where many of the best Canadian athletes would choose to play hockey over any other sport. If Sidney Crosby was born in Alabama, he probably would have been a pitcher/shortstop and never touched a hockey stick.
For one, we can look at registered skaters and see that there is no advantage for the US vis-a-vis Canada.
But it also leaves out the which types of athletes are actually available from within each population. The US is not drawing its best athletes out of its large pool of people. If you are an elite athlete in the US, you are almost certainly choosing to play one of football/basketball/baseball. And if you don't choose one of the big three, you're as likely to choose track/soccer/lacrosse or any number of other sports as you are hockey. That is not the case in Canada, where many of the best Canadian athletes would choose to play hockey over any other sport. If Sidney Crosby was born in Alabama, he probably would have been a pitcher/shortstop and never touched a hockey stick.
Hunter Gathers
The Crown
That is not how it works though. You could earn so so so much more with baseball/NFL/NBA careers in US, but they choose hockey because they love that sport.
US has been producing TOP end talents long time now and has been hetting closer to Canada every year and it is not slowing down. And that is good thing for Hockey growth and popularity.
This. I’ve said for a long time that the American born with the most God-blessed hockey talent ever probably played football instead.
