Hockey

6 min read

Open Letter to Canadian Hockey Fans. Part 2

Overtime Heroics Editorial

881 days ago

Dear Canadian Hockey Fans,

A few days ago, I wrote a post regarding the World Juniors and the reaction towards some of the blowouts that have followed from a few people like Ken Campbell, who suggested ways that the smaller hockey nations didn’t belong. The letter reached far more people than I ever expected it to do, and while most of the feedback was positive, there were a few major questions or misconceptions that I would like to clear up in a short follow up letter.

Most Canadian Hockey Fans Are The Best

The first and most common misconception I saw was that the letter was directed directly towards every single Canadian hockey fan that I was attacking all over the actions of the few loud and frankly insane people on Twitter. A lot said that they had never heard a Canadian hockey fan ever say that, and that makes me happy to hear.

This for me is something I would like to apologize for. I wasn’t clear enough that this by no means was minded as an attack towards all Canadian hockey fans. I should have been clearer in making sure that everyone knew that it was only meant towards the very small minority of people who wanted to see a change to the format. Had I spent two lines on that, I think a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings could have been avoided and it’s something I should have been more aware of.

Another area where things seemed a bit unclear was the title. Using Canadian Hockey Fans, I made the suggestion that I thought all was the same, and as mentioned above, I wish I had spent a bit more effort on clearing that up more early on in the text. However, the title was made in order to get attention towards my voice and I couldn’t find one clearer that would have had the same effect. Using “Open Letter To 0.5% of Canadians” isn’t exactly the greatest idea to grab people’s attention.

The Intention Of The letter:

One of the other things people misunderstood was my intentions with the letter. A few (a very select few) sadly, saw it as an attack towards the big nations and a way to victimize the small nations which couldn’t be further from what I wanted.

What my letter wanted to achieve was only to offer a different perspective to the debate about the World Junior format to the ones from Ken Campbell. I wanted to showcase what it can be like as a European hockey fan and how much it means to be apart of it. To show that participating helps hockey grow in the smaller nations.

The Austrians went 0-4-0, were outscored 29-1 and outshot by exactly 200 shots in four games. But they got to swim in the hotel pool and play mini-sticks in the hallway, which I've repeatedly been told are super-important factors in playing in a World Championship.

— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) December 31, 2020

My opinion, by the way, is far from the final, and people can absolutely disagree with it. My idea was never to say mine is the only way, but I wanted to highlight what I think is right and from there hopefully start a debate on how to best move hockey forward as a global sport.

Making A Narrative

The last main misunderstanding that I saw in a few of the comments was that I was trying to create a narrative that simply doesn’t exist for the sake of clicks. As mentioned before, most of the people I saw in the comments said they hadn’t heard from a Canadian hockey fan that teams like Denmark, Austria, and Germany belonged in the Juniors, so they were not able to see where the narrative came from.

Well, in short, it came from Twitter, something I have rightly been told isn’t an accurate group to base an argument on. It absolutely isn’t, and I admit that much. However, coming from Denmark and living there it isn’t often I meet a Canadian away from it. So most of my talks with Canadian hockey fans come from Twitter, and other social media sites, which is also where I get a lot of information. Seeing that Senior Writer at The Hockey News, Campbell, among others posted about it the small nations tarnishing the Juniors due to the blowouts was what sparked my desire to make the letter.

Having a platform as a writer on Overtimeheroics, I used it to offer a different perspective that people could see in order to make a more complete narrative overall. I know Campbell isn’t representative of Canada as a whole, but as a European, these are the people who we see bash our nation’s hockey program, year after year. We sadly, rarely hear from the majority and there, in my opinion, much more sensible view. We only know Canadian hockey fans off Twitter and that’s why I find it important to add a new view to the whole debate, which I feel the letter overall did.

Overtime Heroics Editorial

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Harinder Grinde

881 days ago

As a Canadian, I agree with you completely. I am all for keeping the number of teams as is. In order for other nations to advance their level of play, they need the exposure to the best hockey players. As you said it's an opportunity of a lifetime for kids to represent their countries proudly. It's not all about winning it's about the game and about giving it your all. Thank you for sharing your perspective.

0 replies

Dwayne Hatcher

882 days ago

Not all Canadians feel this way though, its too bad that some of the media poke fun at teams at times , but that is not indicative of all canadians, not even close. You open letter should have been to the Canadian sports media not the Canadian fans. You give instances of media talk only. Again, I would think By far ,most Canadian fans appreciate that we have this tournament each year no matter who is in or out

1 reply

Robert Harrison

882 days ago

Thank you for writing this, its dead on and exactly how i, and knowledgeable canadian hickey fans feel. The history of hockey since its introduction to Europe by Canadian troops following WWII illustrates your point. In 1956, a Senior team from Penticton BC win went to Europe and won the world championship and while Canada celebrated their success, it was no big deal as we expected to win. Little did anyone know they would be the last amateur team from Canada to do so. The Russian Red Army teams had arrived and that only took 10 years to hapoen and led to Canada withdrawing untill we were allowed to dress our best. This led to Russia touring playing NHL teams and probably the best gane i ever watched was when they played the Montreal Canadians New Years eve 1972 on national TV. Miontreal was a powerhouse team and it took 2 periids overtime before they finally won. Any lingering doubt about the quality and future of international hockey was gone. The World hickey championship now meant something. The best hockey we get to watch is the Canada Cup and most Canadians prefer it to the Stanley Cup. This has ked to similar events in baseball, basketball' and even soccer, having their own versions of world competition. The first Jr championship i remember watching was in 1976 and the Canadian team included Wayne Gretsky. I recall a friend calling and asking what i was doing, i replied " watching the next NHL suoerstar play junior hickey" He was 16 at the tine, drafted into the WHL which led to some great hockey and new teams in Canada when the NHL expanded to include them in self presevation move. Thus has led to players from around the world playing in NHL and no doubt in my mind there are many more who could. By all means Nirway should keep playing and Norwegians should be proud and supportive if their efforts. This will lead to more kids playing, better competition in your leagues and eventually teams that wull skate with the best in the world in the not so distant future. As a fan, i doubt i will live to see the days of true world hockey leagues of Junior and NHL pkayers. This will happen, probably in divisions because of travel issues whereby each division would play a certain number of inter league ganes back and fourth. Stay the courae Niorway, you will be there. And you keep writing about it with articles like this.

1 reply

Steven Knuff

882 days ago

I also believe that the smaller hockey nations should continue to compete in all international hockey. That is how they will become bigger hockey nations. It will be a matter of time before Austria, Denmark, Germany, Slovakia or Switzerland compete for a metal. Just look at one of the best players in the NHL. Leon Draisaitl, German born elite hockey player. Here in Canada we have lost that spark. That creativity that happens when kids just play the game. That creativity that gave us Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky and other like them. We are so focused on winning that we take the fun out of it. The game was designed to be fun. Kids in the smaller hockey nations grow up loving the game and wanting to have fun. That's where creativity is born. If we drop the number of teams because we think they won't be competitive enough for us, we rob ourselves the opportunity to witness some great hockey. The smaller hockey nations will catch up with talent, that is just a matter of time. What a tournament that will be.

1 reply

Philip Masse

882 days ago

Agreed friend, and nice open letter you have penned. Most Canadians, well most that I know, actually cheer for the underdog teams unless, of course, they are playing Canada. However, we still will appreciate a team we expect to best handily to play well. We appreciate seeing good structure, team play, aggressive forecheck, etc... Especially against our home nation. I once drove to Ottawa just to watch the relegation game, as it was the only game I could see. It was between Latvia and Kazakhstan. I normally cheer for Latvia in tournaments as they are one of my favourite teams to root for, and I lived their fans playing instruments in the sparse crowd. I quickly started cheering for Kazakhstan as it became apparent that they were utterly overmatched by Latvia and they knew they wouldn't be coming back. The emotions on their faces throughout the game, and afterwards has stayed with me until now and really opened my eyes to some things regarding these teams as it was only after the final whistle that I noticed the Kazakhstani players didn't even all have matching gloves. I relish the day the ten teams competing all have a realistic chance at gold, for it may mean less medals for Canada, it will mean better hockey and stronger grassroots movements overall. Can't wait to see you on the other side!

1 reply

Jay M Trinca

882 days ago

A bit of rambling but I read it all. The tourney rules force teams to go for all out scoring.. Therefor making these blowout games more rampant. It's not fun for anyone to blow a team out. If they expanded the tournament they could maybe have 2 tiers of teams. Top 6 and bottom 6. Bottom 1-2 and top 1-2 could switch places based on tourney results. That way the big 6 stay playing the big 6..and the smaller teams can compete against each other in the same tournament with the chance to move up to the big boy tier.

1 reply

Peter Hanssens

882 days ago

As a Canadian, I agree that the Juniors are great, because they bring multiple countries together, to celebrate the game. I would honestly want, even more countries involved, maybe Poland for example, or even some Baltic States. Vladimir Putin, of all people, said during the Sochi Olympic Games, that he was appreciative of Canada's gift of Hockey to the World. Hockey is to be shared and enjoyed by all and Canadians, by and large, don't look down on other hockey countries and don't want to be perceived as such. Hockey is indeed, from this Canadian, "our gift to the World of Sports".

2 replies

Fergus Opalin

882 days ago

I appreciate the perspective and agree with much of it. We enjoy winning but I think when mismatches occur, we feel a sense of guilt...as though we are bullying others, and that’s not a very Canadian feeling. But I don’t understand why Europeans have this need to turn everything into a patriotic national pride event. You do it with soccer as well, often for the worst. Can’t you just enjoy the sport without it being about waving your flag, face painting and feeling superior over other countries?

1 reply

Debra L James-Robichaud

882 days ago

I concur with your analysis regarding the World junior tourney and apologise for the arrogance/snobbery of some Canadian fans. As a billet mom of jr players ive always said to my players that a little humility goes a long way. That sentiment is sppropriate here.

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Robbie

882 days ago

Sadly, Canada has its fair share of elitist followers who think that anything short of a gold is worthless. I love seeing the countries on the rise showing up at the tournament, even if they do get beaten up a bit thats part of growing. I have no reason to believe that teams commonly near the bottom of the groups like Austria, Denmark, Latvia, etc. won't be back with a vengeance in a few years. As for Ken Campbell, he has no idea what he's talking about and is 100% one of those elitist people who acts so condescending to other countries and just shows a complete lack of respect for other countries and the game of hockey and he should be embarrassed. As if Austria didn't earn their right to be in the tournament just like everyone else. Love the article, and as a Canadian I agree that some of our population needs a bit of humbling when it comes to hockey, especially on the international level

1 reply

Rich E.

882 days ago

As a Canadian, I think we should be the LAST country asking for lesser skilled teams to be discouraged or cut out. After all, being a small populated country, with less than 40 million people, we are constantly NOT in the top 10 countries in a lot of sports. Soccer is a good example. We never qualify for the World Cup in men's Soccer, so that would put us in the lesser skilled countries of that sport. We still deserve a chance and so do lesser skilled hockey nations. How do they get better, without playing the best, to improve their skills and ability to compete on a level playing field.

1 reply

Dustin Stenglein

882 days ago

As a player, coach, and fan I love seeing the sport grow. I agree that taking the opportunity away from countries like yours will not help the sport that has given me so much enjoyment in life. It only takes small successes to start building a solid foundation. I hope we continue seeing the Danes, Germans, Swiss and other smaller countries continue to play, grow, and eventually succeed. You may not have the large talent pool of a Canada, Russia, or USA but that does not mean you cannot play exciting competitive hockey and occasionally shock the world. I wish you continued growth and future success. Someday hopefullt my son will get a chance to play against a Danish team.

1 reply

Tom

882 days ago

As a Canadian, who also watches the tournament every year- no matter where and what time, I just want to tell you how much I agree with and support your perspective!! The tournament is so much better this way, and I love watching all the teams compete.

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Rik Taylor

882 days ago

2 years ago my son and I got to meet Team Denmark in Vancouver during the World Juniors. They were awesome! They signed a hat and gave to my son. We were there for a training camp with Hockey Canada and the 5 year olds used the ice after Team Denmark. After the got dressed Denmark came out to the bench and cheered the kids on as they were doing drills. This is definitely the greatest hockey experience I have ever had and my son still talks about it. Thank-you Team Denmark.

1 reply

Tanis Sahlstrand

882 days ago

Your article was well written and appreciated. I'm Canadian and love this tournament every year. It's the best of all hockey watching these young guys showcase their talent. I watch these games with my heart on my sleeve and always feel for the underdogs. They deserve so much more for their skills that they put out every game they play. It's sad to see posts from fellow Canadians bashing them. It can be a once in a lifetime chance to get there and I am proud of every team that gets this chance.

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Glenn Robinson

882 days ago

Well said! I totally agree. All of the participating teams deserve our congratulations and respect. WJC is some of the very best hockey in the world!

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Ron Nagel

882 days ago

Great commentary and I totally agree with you. It wasn't all that long ago that only Canada and Russia were real contenders, and look at the teams in the mix now. This would probably never of happened if they were not exposed to elite competition.

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