MT. PROSPECT, IL – The last time I checked, the United States continued to be the greatest country on Earth. But with all of our resources, why does the USA fall a slapshot behind Canada when it comes to overall hockey domination? Will all of that change after the 2010 Winter Olympics?
The future of hockey in the United States won’t depend on whether or not Team USA brings home the gold. The growth of hockey in the States will all depend on exposure.
Case in point. The United States upset Canada in the recently completed World Junior Championship held in Saskatoon. I was so excited that I renewed my USA Hockey membership on the spot. Yet, the overall loss felt by Canadians greatly overshadowed the joy felt by the few Americans who followed the tournament. Admit it, was Team USA’s victory featured on the front page of your sports section?
Case in point. The exposure and investment put into Canada’s junior hockey program far overshadows junior hockey development in the States. Put simply, would a teenager rather play in the Ontario Hockey League or play in the United States Hockey League? Chicago Steel (USHL) head coach and GM Steve Poapst put it this way. “Yes, USA Hockey is a viable option for North American teenagers. But a kid playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL will most likely move on to college hockey. A Canadian playing for the London Knights (Ontario Hockey League) will most likely move on to the NHL Draft”. And it’s that difference that drives most North America’s best teenagers to play hockey in Canada.
Case in point. Teenagers won’t develop within organized junior programs unless they first get their start playing in squirt leagues. Starting out in this game is an expensive proposition. Equipment…lessons…early morning practices…travel…all cost parents thousands of dollars. Today’s economy isn’t helping. Plus, many parents today are pulling their kids out of expensive ice hockey programs and putting them into less expensive roller hockey programs.
Solution #1: Support USA Hockey by becoming a member and donating to their foundation. USA Hockey features a talented bunch of coaches and administrators. Give them the flexibility and finances needed to grow their organization. They support USA hockey players from squirt to NHL pro.
Solution#2: Put pressure on local rinks and pro shops to provide their services at greatly reduced prices. Getting a bunch of squirts to use a rink at a reduced price is much more encouraging and cost effective than leaving the same rink empty.
Solution#3: Exposure. Exposure. Exposure. If the Men’s USA Hockey team wins the Gold Medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics, makes sure everybody in the United States knows about it. Most importantly, make kids realize that if Patrick Kane and Tim Thomas can do it, so can they.
Solution#4: Television coverage. Every contact that I have in professional, minor and junior league hockey wants to see their teams featured on the NHL TV Network or on Versus. The best fit would feature NHL games, as well as USHL games and background shows airing within the best hockey TV and broadband coverage. This will allow us to focus on the best hockey players in the World, as well as on the kids who will take the lead for future generations to come.
All the best to the 2010 USA Men’s and Women’s Olympic hockey teams. May their success lead us all to help develop a much stronger hockey program within the greatest county in the world.
For more information contact Tom.Miller@prohockeynews.com
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