Any World Junior Hockey fans here?

[boysblue]

The hockey is terrific--nothing like super-talented athletes playing for national pride and for the opportunity to impact their financial future at the same time. I really enjoy watching it. However, it is also one of the most over-hyped and one-sided sporting events on the North American calendar.

TSN pumps this thing up for weeks ahead of time because it is a huge ratings winner for them with their Canadian audience. The truth is virtually nobody else in the world cares about the event, which is why the powers-that-be have decided it has to be held in Canada (or in border cities like Buffalo) virtually ever year. No Canadian fans = no $ success.

[RTK]

Originally Posted by boysblue

The hockey is terrific--nothing like super-talented athletes playing for national pride and for the opportunity to impact their financial future at the same time. I really enjoy watching it. However, it is also one of the most over-hyped and one-sided sporting events on the North American calendar.

TSN pumps this thing up for weeks ahead of time because it is a huge ratings winner for them with their Canadian audience. The truth is virtually nobody else in the world cares about the event, which is why the powers-that-be have decided it has to be held in Canada (or in border cities like Buffalo) virtually ever year. No Canadian fans = no $ success.

Thus, it'll never grow outside of Canada, essentially allowing Canada to always have home ice advantage, not to mention no overseas travel....biasing Canada an advantage.

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by boysblue

The hockey is terrific--nothing like super-talented athletes playing for national pride and for the opportunity to impact their financial future at the same time. I really enjoy watching it. However, it is also one of the most over-hyped and one-sided sporting events on the North American calendar.

TSN pumps this thing up for weeks ahead of time because it is a huge ratings winner for them with their Canadian audience. The truth is virtually nobody else in the world cares about the event

+1

It's overhyped because outside of a few regional broadcasts, TSN has zero hockey presence. It's all they got for months.

If Canada doesn't play, it's a bunch of games that nobody cares about in this country. You can get tickets for as low as $6.

Outside of an NFL exhibition game, is there anything more boring that watching a thrashing in a kids game? The last game, what was it? Six shots on goal against Canada for the entire game?

Overhyped??? You bet.

[irv]

Originally Posted by boysblue

The hockey is terrific--nothing like super-talented athletes playing for national pride and for the opportunity to impact their financial future at the same time. I really enjoy watching it. However, it is also one of the most over-hyped and one-sided sporting events on the North American calendar.

TSN pumps this thing up for weeks ahead of time because it is a huge ratings winner for them with their Canadian audience. The truth is virtually nobody else in the world cares about the event, which is why the powers-that-be have decided it has to be held in Canada (or in border cities like Buffalo) virtually ever year. No Canadian fans = no $ success.

I respectfully disagree, Boysblue. Look at what just happened with the Finland coaching staff. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/junio...oaching-staff/
Although some of these countries are out of the spotlight, WJH is still very important/popular in other countries throughout the world.

Attendance at these events in other parts of the world is also up there, not just Canada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._by_attendance

Granted, with the increases in ticket prices, the fans have been few and far between, depending on who is playing, especially, but the same can be said about 2 underachieving NHL teams as well.
http://globalnews.ca/news/3152814/lo...world-juniors/

Of course it is most popular in Canada for obvious reasons, but to say it is not popular in other parts of the world is, well, just wrong, imo.

Should be a good game in another 45 minutes. Looking forward to it.

[irv]

Going to be a heck of a game tomorrow!!

[irv]

Going to be a heck of a game tomorrow!!

Canada-U.S. final.

Go Canada!

[RTK]

It was a great game, for the US to come back against Canada twice. One of the better hockey games I've seen, kind of unfortunate it had to be determined by a shootout.

[irv]

Originally Posted by RTK

It was a great game, for the US to come back against Canada twice. One of the better hockey games I've seen, kind of unfortunate it had to be determined by a shootout.

Got to hand it to them. The U.S. coming back like they did. I was thinking, OK boys, lets protect our lead when we were up 4-2, but that didn't last long.

Truthfully, I am surprised our boys went to the Gold Medal game. Imo, they just didn't look as good as years past but they surprised me.

From what I heard, the U.S. had a very strong team from the get go and were favored to win it.

Excellent game either way. Both sides were completely out of gas!

[RTK]

Originally Posted by irv

Got to hand it to them. The U.S. coming back like they did. I was thinking, OK boys, lets protect our lead when we were up 4-2, but that didn't last long.

Truthfully, I am surprised our boys went to the Gold Medal game. Imo, they just didn't look as good as years past but they surprised me.

From what I heard, the U.S. had a very strong team from the get go and were favored to win it.

Excellent game either way. Both sides were completely out of gas!

The game is growing here. It's good for the game. Non traditional hockey cities now have growing youth hockey programs. nay of them influence by ex NHL'ers I think the game is attracting people who don't want their kid's involved in football too. It's more family oriented too.
I'd like to see the WJ tournament grow to the point where it doesn't have to be in a Canadian city to draw a crowd. I'd be ecstatic if it came to the Chicago.

The big surprise to me was Finland not playing well. Sometimes I think Canada over thinks it's team, maybe it's political, yet Canada could probably field three teams and have a good chance of winning gold, silver and bronze.

[irv]

Originally Posted by RTK

The game is growing here. It's good for the game. Non traditional hockey cities now have growing youth hockey programs. nay of them influence by ex NHL'ers I think the game is attracting people who don't want their kid's involved in football too. It's more family oriented too.
I'd like to see the WJ tournament grow to the point where it doesn't have to be in a Canadian city to draw a crowd. I'd be ecstatic if it came to the Chicago.

The big surprise to me was Finland not playing well. Sometimes I think Canada over thinks it's team, maybe it's political, yet Canada could probably field three teams and have a good chance of winning gold, silver and bronze.

The friends we have made over the years is priceless. Even if our kids don't play on the same team(s) anymore, those friendships are still alive and healthy!

I could see Chicago working as every year, at least a team or 2 from my neck of woods travels there for a huge annual tournament.
There are many cities that come to mind state side so with the U.S. gaining ground each and every year, especially this one, I think your wish will shortly someday come true.