(This is mostly a community traction post because Lemmy needs more of it.)
US dev seems to be paying off on the top level. We have already seen the more recent juniors results the last handful of years but now it is starting to show beyond that.
I know the majority of this US roster comes from that program and I feel like last night that was visually apparent. It’s starting to feel like a proper Canadian / American hockey rivalry has taken shape which should mean the next decade or so of international events should be top notch from that perspective.
On a semi related note; RIP to the Kids’ 26 game win streak record wearing the Canadian sweater. Absolutely a legendary stat. His first assist against Sweden was crazy greasy. (Edit)
I wish Finland hockey program would make a visit to see how the americans are teaching skills to these US (or CAN) players. Our hockey talent pool is declining and focus all the way from youth is teaching them tactics, because coaches only care about their own careers. Fuck that. Teach the kids first to skate well and teach them skills. Think about tactics later. Finland’s future NHL players, after this generation is gone, is mostly just 3rd line grinders with tactics knowledge but have no world class skills if our hockey suits don’t start making changes fast.
Considering the quality of players that traditionally come out of Finland, it would be an absolute shame to see a drop off in that quality over time due to a lack of fundamentals. Hopefully the situation isn’t as bad as you think, but I have no idea personally as I barely have enough time to pay attention to the US and Canadian development.
As someone who’s always enjoyed Finland and Sweden, I am very much looking forward to the winter Olympics in two years.
Fewer Canadians are signing up for youth hockey: “Over 15 years, the number of kids under 18 playing hockey fell by 33%. This is from 523,785 in 2010 to 340,365 in 2022”. Covid aside, I think a lot of this is because Canadian pro teams haven’t won the cup since they were still putting out NHL games for Super Nintendo. It’s been that long! How can Canada stay on top if no one wins and people stop caring?
I’ve heard from avg Canadian folks that some of that extends from A) the sustained cost of the sport in general, and to a lesser extent B) that the recent years of scandals involving the system has taken its toll.
Not saying that’s why or why not, but it is what I’ve heard from people over the last handful of years.
Hellebuyck won that game, hands down. His route was circuitous to get where he is. You could argue that the hockey culture allowed him to succeed, but he wasn’t singled out by the development program.
Look at Canada’s shot quality chart… Just wow.
“The majority of the roster comes from the program.”
Obviously that doesn’t include the half dozen or so that wasn’t brought into that fold, including the goalies.
I always find it disingenuous to place a win or a loss on a singular player from either team. I also look at the scoring chances and from my perspective that translates into the offensive game plan of the Canadians. They clearly wanted to set up the crease given the talent they have. I’d argue however they should have shook it up a bit and used more screens in the crease for shots coming off the slots and played for the rebounds. That aspect felt very minimal and a lost opportunity.
My issue from the US side was how they took their foot off the gas in that third period and tried to play a more safe approach. Normally I like that concept but not against such a high power / quality opponent. You can’t expect Canada to not bite you in the ass in those scenarios. The PK against the Canadians looked pretty solid and I think that was the unsung hero last night.
