What DID happen to hockey in the U.S.??

phdinsports · Feb 19, 2007

Do people still play hockey in the States?!? I mean just over ten years ago the U.S assembled the greatest non Canadian hockey team ever! You had Lafontaine, LeClair, Modano, Guerin, Amonte, Tkachuk, Weight, Benedict Arnold, and Roenick (didn't play) at forward, and Chelios, Leetch, Suter, Housley, Schneider, and the Hatcher bros (when Derian could skate) on Defense, and the mvp Richter in goal!!! Everyone pointed to the miracle on ice as the motivation to play hockey, but today there isn't nearly as many good American players as ten years ago. Today the leading American scorer...Chris Drury....the ancient Schneider is second among D-men. Other than Ryan Whitney don't see any good young American players. From the best ever (non Canuck) to Chris Drury in a little over ten years. What the hell happened!!

Fishhead · Feb 19, 2007

Good question......the USA has really fallen off the ICE in the past few years in terms of producing high quality NHL players.

WCJW · Feb 19, 2007

Well, don't forget, 7 of the top 20 draft picks in the 2006 NHL draft, including the #1 pick, Jack Johnson, are from the USA. I doubt you could say that 10 years ago.

Fishhead · Feb 19, 2007

The hometown Lightning here in Tampa currently only have TWO USA players on their roster...........

DOUG JANIK
ANDRE ROY

phdinsports · Feb 19, 2007

WCJW said:
Well, don't forget, 7 of the top 20 draft picks in the 2006 NHL draft, including the #1 pick, Jack Johnson, are from the USA. I doubt you could say that 10 years ago.

Actually 20 years ago 7 of the top 17 picks were American, Jimmy Carson was #2 overall, Tom Fitzgerald 17th overall. In between Dan Woodley, George Pelawa, Craig Janney, Scott Young, and the best player by far taken in the first round Brian Leetch.

Dude · Feb 19, 2007

The reason is Gary( the POS) Bettman.. He changed all the rules Now it caters to the Sissy Europeans.... No fighting, and every little thing is called a penalty.. He ruined hockey.. Its unwatchable now........

MRPROFESSOR · Feb 19, 2007

Dude said:
The reason is Gary( the POS) Bettman.. He changed all the rules Now it caters to the Sissy Europeans.... No fighting, and every little thing is called a penalty.. He ruined hockey.. Its unwatchable now........

I hear ya dude. i thought i was the only one who didnt like the new rules!!

Rude · Feb 19, 2007

I so miss the 80's. High scoring games and fighting. Now that was hockey.

Puccini · Feb 20, 2007

A lack of true stars has hurt hockey.

Ask a non-hockey fan to name one hockey player now and they can't. Some of it is the league's fault, no doubt, but there aren't any Gretskys or Messiers around right now either.

In the NY area Martin Brodeur is probably the biggest star--and he's a goalie so nobody even knows what he looks like!

TomBrady#1 · Feb 20, 2007

It is amazing how much the game has changed. Same thing with the NBA as well. For the worse.

Fishhead · Feb 20, 2007

I think some of you are way off base...........

Been a huge hockey fan for many, many, years............and agree there are a few things about todays game that I really don't care for, but there are tons of things that still make it fantastic.

Some absoulutely TERRIFFIC young talent in the league too........CROSBY, OVECHKIN, LECAVALIER.............