Comments on: Nature or Nurture: A Tale of Culture and Hockey

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:01:32 +0000

Mikos, remind me to tell you a couple stories about that whole deal in Nagano.

By: Mikos

Mikos — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:03:39 +0000

Let’s remember;

That after their one-win performance in the 1998 Olympic Games the US hockey team broke 10 chairs, emptyed three fire extinguishers, chucked six broken chairs out a fifth-floor window in the Olympic Village at 4 a.m. and awakened several speed skaters who had to compete later that day.

After all was said and done assistant coach of the U.S. hockey team Lou Vairo said “These are good kids that broke a few chairs”. Doesn’t really sound too contrite.

By: david

david — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:50:24 +0000

I have to agree with Bob’s comments.

But I think a large part of the blame lies with the coaches. When your team is up 6-0, it’s time to get your 3rd and 4th lines involved. Let your top lines get some rest. And even if your team is still scoring you don’t allow them to celebrate as if they’ve scored the Stanley Cup game winner.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:48:28 +0000

Well said indeed Bob. I would like to run down to Fargo to check this out for myself, see if I can get some more info on this.

Thanks for the info Drew. Pretty good hey?

By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:45:21 +0000

Bob, well said. Along the lines of your commentary, look at the named being bandied about for a role as the 4th line for Team Canada in Vancouver. Doan, Morrow, Richards–3 superstars sacrificing the glory for the chance to block shots and win a gold medal for their country.

Kyle, the Norwegian goalie you asked about is Lars Volden.

By: Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:42:52 +0000

In my experience, the difference between Americans and Canadians in international hockey competition is that Canadians, with few exceptions, understand that winning at hockey is a team effort.

Virtually all the players on the Canadian team are the best players (often the captains) on their club team, yet any of them is more than happy to contribute on the fourth line (or even only on the PK) or third defence pairing or as the backup goalie or to ride the pine just to be on the team.

Would they love to get the top minutes and be the MVP and points leader? Of course, but they want to win more. And besides, the team concept means everyone plays. Rolling four lines wins.

As for the celebrations after a goal, they know that the goal to really celebrate comes when they raise your flag and you sing “O Canada”. That’s the cake. Everything else is just no-touch icing.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:37:47 +0000

Having traveled to some high level AAA tourneys, I think you may be on to something. However, I am a little more apt to put some blame on the parents. Some of these people are just terrible, and I think it rubs off on the kids after a while. When the kids are constantly stroked by the parents and coaches, its little wonder some of them get an attitude. Not saying this doesn’t happen in Canada, but I think maybe the kids realize that the path to hockey stardom is long and difficult and that they won’t get much help getting there.

By the by, who is this Norwegian goalie?