Comments on: How to Grow Hockey in Canada’s (Yes, Canada’s) Immigrant Communities

By: MCH

MCH — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:00:15 +0000

Hockey is an excellent tool to reach out to immigrants. The ability to play or talk about hockey often defines what’s Canadian. Here’s another great article on how an immigrant thinks about our national sport.
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrantstories/immigrantblogs/article/7290

By: Grant

Grant — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:24:34 +0000

Good article Kyle. The key driver behind the prohibitive cost of hockey is the cost of ice, and the driver behind that is the number of viable surfaces in a given community. The Federal government has a program right now as part of “Building Canada” that is supposed to help remedy this situation by providing $500 million for recreational facilities around the country. There are communities that are taking advantage of this right now, but some money is going to things like indoor soccer and swimming, at least in my riding. Lobby your M.P., your M.L.A. and your town/city council member to make sure that money gets spent on hockey rinks. I can think of one example in Airdrie, Alberta where I live where government money and corporate donations that should have gone to rink construction in a city of 38 000 with only 2 1/2 indoor ice surfaces went to an indoor soccer field. Last I checked, Al McInnis and Al Iafrate did just fine with wooden sticks, and they didn’t shatter, Bergeron-style, at key points during the game.

In a related note, if anyone happens to be in the Calgary Area on July 5th during Stampede, Blake Richards, the M.P. for Wild Rose is hosting a Charity Hockey Game between M.P.s and Alberta M.L.A.s. Funds raised will go to Victims Assistance in Airdrie and the surrounding area. Tickets are ten bucks, there will be a silent auction, and a few local NHL draftees, Zach Boychuck of Carolina, Dana Tyrell of Tampa Bay, and Flames Alum Tony Stiles will be playing for Conservative bragging rights. Contact 1 800 667 0410 for details.

By: goon

goon — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:42:50 +0000

awesome piece Kyle.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Very good piece Kyle. I agree completely. The point that stands out the most for me is the composite stick issue. They don’t benefit the kids at a young age and are exactyl what you said–a statuts symbol. Eliminating these sticks and reverting back to wooden sticks would be a nice first step.

By: Benjamin Jamison

Benjamin Jamison — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:26:07 +0000

I think the most important step is the third one you’ve suggested. I work with immigrant famalies and one of the most important steps is being able to communicate to them. If hockey (an unfamiliar game) was presented in a familiar language perhaps many more would participate in hockey.

By: david

david — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:47:53 +0000

Really great piece Kyle. I too agree that limited govt intervention is a good thing, but perhaps to get more kids active (keeping them away from being couch potato’s) would be a good thing and long terms, could lessen govt costs in the future.