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Well, I'm obviously disappointed with Tampa Bay winning the Stanley Cup. I haven't felt as much contempt for professional hockey in America since 1996 when Team USA defeated Canada in the Canada (oops I mean World) Cup. Just one of several examples of how the the U.S. has Americanized professional hockey. Yes, I am biased of course with being born and raised in Canada but I have my reasons.

First is that I just heard stats that viewership of the cup final series was the second hightest in Canada in ten years. This was since a Canadian team (Vancouver) was last in the final. On the other hand tv ratings in the U.S. were their usual dismal numbers. In fact I wouldn't be a surprise if total Canadian viewership was higher than American viewership despite the U.S. having a population ten times the size of Canada. Gee, what a surprise! Could it be because the quality of the game has tanked and is boring to watch? I'm not a Flames fan but I was rooting for the team and for Canada - we need to take back the game (not necessarily the NHL). So the eleven year drought continues (last time a Canadian team has wone the cup).

The NHL has become tainted with Commissioner Gary Betman (sp?) and his ilk. I would almost prefer to see a new professional Canadian hockey league (like the WHA but only Canadian teams) rise from the ashes of the NHL. There were rumors that NHL executives did not want Calgary to win as it would hurt the league's chances to market the game. Of course it would damage the league in tenuous areas like South Florida where most people can't even provide the names of either the Lightning or Panthers. Do you really think that the Lightning winning the cup will create a strong fan base there five years from now? I doubt it! It's not a hockey area and the American sunbelt likely never will be and that's just because of the demographics. I'm listening to 630 CHED and Bryan Murray quit his job as GM of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to become coach of Ottawa. Murray said he wanted to be in a place where hockey meant something to the community even though it likely meant a pay cut.

Hockey is primarily Canadian and is and rooted in its culture Granted it's also very popular in the U.S. northeast and some border states on the 49th parallel. I believe that the NHL somehow believes the league's financial viability is in the U.S. It's not - it lies mostly in Canada! My prediction is that there will be a long, drawn out lockout beginnning in fall 2004 and it can only end with having a salary cap, a rational business model to run a franchise and a reduction of teams.

Anyway, there are things I like about living in the U.S. but when it comes to sports and especially hockey I support Canada. Most of it is nationalism but in terms of the NHL it is how American pop culture has watered down the sport. Enough rambling for now...Bring on the CFL and let's see if the Eskimos can repeat as Grey Cup champions!
posted by Michael at 6:29 PM