It’s almost impossible to write anything about another country’s hockey team without Canadian hockey fans going off the deep end.
Yes, hockey is Canada’s game. Yes, Canadians will always ice powerhouse teams, it’s in our blood. But no, that doesn’t mean Canada will win every major event and dominate every international competition.
So when I say the United States has a chance to complete a clean sweep over Canada this year, some Canadian hockey fans may go off the deep end. They may also not know what the hell I’m talking about.
Team USA edged Team Ontario 2-1 to win the World Under-17 Challenge in Timmins recently. Team USA defeated Team Canada 6-5 in overtime to win the world junior hockey championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan recently. And now, the Olympics…
I’m not saying that the USA will defeat Canada in Vancouver. But what I am saying is that if they do, it shouldn’t come as that big a surprise or an upset.
Canada’s success internationally comes largely from Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. It starts with minor hockey and playing in the Under-17 tournament and world juniors has been a perfect way to develop players for further international competition.
But now USA Hockey is on to the same format and frankly they are doing a pretty damn good job. Their two wins already this year are a substantial achievement and they will be a handful at the Olympics as well.
Saying that is no reflection whatsoever on Canada’s teams. The World Under-17 event and the world juniors have been won by Canada many times in recent years. But the Americans have come a long, long way with their own program and they are seeing the dividends this year especially.
And the American Olympic team this year, led by Brian Burke and Ron Wilson? (By the way, how bitterly ironic would it be to see them with gold medals and then return to the 28th place Toronto Maple Leafs a few weeks later!).
The Americans have a hell of a team. Ryan Miller is the best goalie in hockey many nights, and they have a nice combination of youth and veterans. They are a longshot for the gold in many people’s minds, but I think they have a decent chance if things fall into place.
And no matter what happens in Vancouver, it doesn’t mean that Canadian hockey is falling apart. All it means is that countries like the USA are doing a pretty good job as well.
There was no chance that the USA could have swept the three titles I’m talking about 10 years ago, or maybe even five years ago. And while it’s improbable it’ll happen this year, it certainly could.
That’s called progress. That’s called building a program. And that’s called good for hockey in the United States.
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This year’s Ontario Hockey League playoffs may turn out to be one of the best of all-time.
The Windsor Spitfires and the Barrie Colts are really making a run at a championship this season and as the Ontario Hockey League trade deadline came and went Monday at noon, both teams are left with powerhouse squads.
Barrie picked up Alex Pietrangelo, Zac Rinaldo and Mavric Parks in three separate deals. The Colts have already had a 22-game winning streak this season without any of them in the lineup. Pietrangelo was one of Canada’s best players at the world junior hockey championships, Rinaldo is a hard-rock OHL veteran forward and Parks is a quality goalie.
The defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires also made a key pick-up in Zack Kassian from the Peterborough Petes, the Petes team captain. Windsor is already 34-5-0-4 and had five players playing in the gold medal game of the world juniors.
Both of these teams have rosters that look better than some American Hockey League teams! And although Mississauga, London, Kitchener and Plymouth also have dangerous teams, Windsor and Barrie appear to be a step above.
What a great post-season lies in store for junior hockey fans. I am one of them and I, for one, can’t wait!