Number Of Hockey Players By Country
Hockey is a popular sport across the globe, played by millions of people. It is believed to have originated in Canada, but today it is played in many countries around the world, including the United States. In this article, we will explore the number of hockey players by country and how this sport is growing in popularity.
Canada – The home of hockey
Canada is known as the birthplace of hockey, and the country is deeply passionate about the sport. In fact, hockey is considered Canada's national sport. There are more than 631,000 registered hockey players in Canada, according to Hockey Canada. This number does not include the thousands of people who play hockey for fun, without being registered with any organization.
United States – Growing in popularity
Hockey has been played in the United States since the early 1900s, but it was not until the 1970s that the sport began to gain popularity. Today, there are more than 567,000 registered ice hockey players in the United States, according to USA Hockey. This number has been steadily growing, with youth hockey registrations increasing by 2.2% in the 2018-2019 season.
Sweden – A European powerhouse
Sweden may be a small country, but it is a powerhouse in the world of hockey. The country has produced some of the greatest players in the game, including Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin. There are more than 56,000 registered hockey players in Sweden, according to the Swedish Ice Hockey Association. This number is expected to rise, as interest in hockey is growing in the country.
Russia – A dominant force
Russia has a long history of producing great hockey players, dating back to the Soviet Union era. Today, there are more than 57,000 registered hockey players in Russia, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation. This number does not include the thousands of people who play hockey for fun in the country.
Finland – A hockey-mad country
Finland is another small country that has a deep passion for hockey. The country has produced some of the greatest players in the game, including Teemu Selanne and Jari Kurri. There are more than 73,000 registered hockey players in Finland, according to the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. This number is expected to rise, as hockey continues to grow in popularity in the country.
Conclusion
Hockey is a popular sport around the world, played by millions of people. Canada, the United States, Sweden, Russia, and Finland are just a few of the countries where the sport is deeply ingrained in the culture. As hockey continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see more countries emerge as hockey powerhouses. Who knows, maybe one day we will see hockey become a truly global sport.
