Michael Pachla: US making inroads into Canada's game via USNTDP and NCAA

Fist

Even here in St. Louis, MO hockey is getting huge from a youth standpoint. Players like the Stastny brothers, Ben Bishop, M tkachuk and several recent draft picks have really created a boom in youth hockey here.

Even here in St. Louis, MO hockey is getting huge from a youth standpoint. Players like the Stastny brothers, Ben Bishop, M tkachuk and several recent draft picks have really created a boom in youth hockey here.
- lulags

And Patty Lafontaine of course

Even here in St. Louis, MO hockey is getting huge from a youth standpoint. Players like the Stastny brothers, Ben Bishop, M tkachuk and several recent draft picks have really created a boom in youth hockey here.
- lulags

been a long, slow process

Nice write up.

The problem in a lot of places is the lack of rinks. We take for granted in this area that you can skate for free at some parks during the winter or for a small fee at Canalside or M&T plaza, along with a ton of local rinks. Places like Seattle have maybe 1 or 2 complexes. Until the infrastructure catches up, it's not gonna change a whole lot. Not to mention the growth of soccer in the U.S., which i think will usurp hockey's popularity in the next 10 years. At that point hockey will be the 5th most popular sport

been a long, slow process
- Michael Pachla

When I moved here in 2000 from Nova Scotia they would turn the TV's to Cardinals preseason baseball instead of NHL playoffs if the Blues were eliminated. Now you can actually go out for a beer and watch the Stanley cup finals minus the Blue note. Progress my friend is a wonderful thing!

Nice write up.

The problem in a lot of places is the lack of rinks. We take for granted in this area that you can skate for free at some parks during the winter or for a small fee at Canalside or M&T plaza, along with a ton of local rinks. Places like Seattle have maybe 1 or 2 complexes. Until the infrastructure catches up, it's not gonna change a whole lot. Not to mention the growth of soccer in the U.S., which i think will usurp hockey's popularity in the next 10 years. At that point hockey will be the 5th most popular sport
- jcragcrumple

I agree in buffalo you take that for granted.. In Fort Wayne there is one arena with three sheets.. it is always packed but the next closest is at least an hour away..

Nice write up.

The problem in a lot of places is the lack of rinks. We take for granted in this area that you can skate for free at some parks during the winter or for a small fee at Canalside or M&T plaza, along with a ton of local rinks. Places like Seattle have maybe 1 or 2 complexes. Until the infrastructure catches up, it's not gonna change a whole lot. Not to mention the growth of soccer in the U.S., which i think will usurp hockey's popularity in the next 10 years. At that point hockey will be the 5th most popular sport
- jcragcrumple

And hockey is a very expensive sport. In Canada, all of our rinks and equipment is is subsidized with government money to ensure everyone can afford to play, then we use the empty rinks in the summer to have parties and sell beer with all proceeds going to youth hockey. Every town (mine pop.1200) has a rink in Canada. One day the USA will catch up but it has to be more accessible and affordable to the masses

I agree in buffalo you take that for granted.. In Fort Wayne there is one arena with three sheets.. it is always packed but the next closest is at least an hour away..
- IndianaSabresFan

The free, unstructured hockey is an underrated element to creating players. I played pick up hockey at Emery and Hamlin Park, not to mention various rinks that friends' parents built. Kids enjoying playing hockey (or any sport for that matter) is a big part of creating lifelong players. Burning kids out playing 10 months a year is a great way to get them to hate it

Nice write up.

The problem in a lot of places is the lack of rinks. We take for granted in this area that you can skate for free at some parks during the winter or for a small fee at Canalside or M&T plaza, along with a ton of local rinks. Places like Seattle have maybe 1 or 2 complexes. Until the infrastructure catches up, it's not gonna change a whole lot. Not to mention the growth of soccer in the U.S., which i think will usurp hockey's popularity in the next 10 years. At that point hockey will be the 5th most popular sport
- jcragcrumple

buffalo tried indoor soccer years back, never really took hold

Michael Pachla: US making inroads into Canada's game via USNTDP and NCAA
- Michael Pachla

I disagree.

And hockey is a very expensive sport. In Canada, all of our rinks and equipment is is subsidized with government money to ensure everyone can afford to play, then we use the empty rinks in the summer to have parties and sell beer with all proceeds going to youth hockey. Every town (mine pop.1200) has a rink in Canada. One day the USA will catch up but it has to be more accessible and affordable to the masses
- lulags

that's a huge point...one of the reasons basketball has outgrown hockey by so much is the cost...we didn't have much money when I was growing up, but did have enough to pay for a pair of Chuck Taylor's, which made the game of basketball accessible to me

I disagree.
- Matthews_Auston

stick a sock in it

Cereal

buffalo tried indoor soccer years back, never really took hold
- Michael Pachla

I actually just bought a Blizzard hat from a lunch place that was getting rid of some Buffalo memorabilia. I went to a game a couple times. A lot of cities are building expensive new stadiums for MLS expansion teams. It's starting to get crazy

And hockey is a very expensive sport. In Canada, all of our rinks and equipment is is subsidized with government money to ensure everyone can afford to play, then we use the empty rinks in the summer to have parties and sell beer with all proceeds going to youth hockey. Every town (mine pop.1200) has a rink in Canada. One day the USA will catch up but it has to be more accessible and affordable to the masses
- lulags

That's total BS. My son played rep hockey for 7 years and the only one who subsidized it was me. An hour of ice time is close to 300 bux. How is that subsidized? Canadian government is too worried about giving free money and healthcare to Syrians.

that's a huge point...one of the reasons basketball has outgrown hockey by so much is the cost...we didn't have much money when I was growing up, but did have enough to pay for a pair of Chuck Taylor's, which made the game of basketball accessible to me
- Michael Pachla

We had no money and I had 4 brothers all of us played hockey. We could have never afforded it with out the subsidy. Ice time was pretty much free and I got a lot of handed down equipment

Michael Pachla: US making inroads into Canada's game via USNTDP and NCAA
- Michael Pachla

nice read (reed, reid)

one thing regarding youth hockey in the states

there was a tremendous growth when the thrashers were in Atlanta

the growth was so huge, I honestly think hockey would have thrived if ownership had stayed patient for another 8 years.


I would still not be shocked if hockey gets a 3rd go around there

I agree in buffalo you take that for granted.. In Fort Wayne there is one arena with three sheets.. it is always packed but the next closest is at least an hour away..
- IndianaSabresFan

we have 1 rink in jacksonville, 1 rink in gainesville


I am pretty sure they are the only 2 rinks in a 150 mile radius

that's a huge point...one of the reasons basketball has outgrown hockey by so much is the cost...we didn't have much money when I was growing up, but did have enough to pay for a pair of Chuck Taylor's, which made the game of basketball accessible to me
- Michael Pachla

its also why soccer/Futball is such a popular sport world wide.. all you really need is a ball. you can make a net out of something..

That's total BS. My son played rep hockey for 7 years and the only one who subsidized it was me. An hour of ice time is close to 300 bux. How is that subsidized? Canadian government is too worried about giving free money and healthcare to Syrians.
- Matthews_Auston

Your in the evil empire of Toronto. That's why. Elite hockey is not subsidized. I had to pay a full ride for Midget AAA as well. All the local rinks in the Maritimes are subsidized and funded with beer money

Cereal
- chilliard77

I actually just bought a Blizzard hat from a lunch place that was getting rid of some Buffalo memorabilia. I went to a game a couple times. A lot of cities are building expensive new stadiums for MLS expansion teams. It's starting to get crazy
- jcragcrumple

remember nascar?

That's total BS. My son played rep hockey for 7 years and the only one who subsidized it was me. An hour of ice time is close to 300 bux. How is that subsidized? Canadian government is too worried about giving free money and healthcare to Syrians.
- Matthews_Auston