Is Hockey Being Lost as a Canadian Game? Hockey, to many Canadians
it is their favourite sport or pastime. This game is a part of Canadian's
heritage. Although with the ongoing "Americanizing" of Canada, it is only
a matter of time before Canada's game is changed as well. The NHL,
National Hockey League, is the professional league for hockey. In the
past, and still today, Canadians have made up the greater part of the
leagues players. The article NHL Melting Pot gives statistics and a graph
of which nationalities were and are playing in the league. In 1967,
Canadian born players made up nearly 97% of the NHL. "With the influx
of players from other countries, the NHL is beginning to look like the
United Nations on ice." (Card#3) Now Canadians are only 66.2% of the
population in the league. The American born players are slowly sneaking
up at 16.6%, the second largest nationality. The gap does not look that
tight, however when you consider the time in which this jump has taken
place, it will get closer sooner instead of later. In the article, "The New
Ice Age" it gives statistics on the recent jump in American and other
players into the NHL. In 1983, out of 21 teams there were 409 Canadian
born players to 68 American born players and 47 European players
(Only showing the top 25 players on each teams roster). In 1992, out of
24 teams there were 396 Canadian born players to 101 American
players and a surprising 103 Europeans (Only showing the top 25 players
on each of the teams). " The increase of American and European players
in recent years is changing the look of the NHL." (Card#2) The
American, and European invasion is making hockey everyone's game and
not just Canada's. Why would this bother Canadians? Why not share
their national pride in hockey? Many Canadians feel that hockey is the
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