“The Gretzky Effect”
Posted on January 5, 2010 by admin
Team USA an unconventional success story
By Damien Cox Sports Columnist
It’s become fashionable for Canadians to suggest hockey has failed as a sport in the southern United States.
The pathetic plight of the Phoenix Coyotes, on top of the troubles experienced by teams in Florida, Atlanta and Nashville, have made it easy to make that argument.
Problem is, it’s only partially correct. The sport itself, you see, has deeper roots in those regions than ever.
When Canada takes on the U.S. in Tuesday night’s much anticipated gold medal game at the 2010 world junior hockey championship, there will be evidence on both teams that areas once regarded as non-hockey territories are now producing world-class players.
You’ll be witnessing, to some degree, the Gretzky Effect.
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