While most Americans enjoy traditional Independence Day observances, today is also a great day to reflect on the remarkable growth and promising future of hockey in the United States.
Does hockey have anything to do with patriotism? Of course it does. Anyone remember the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”? To this day, we still get goosebumps every time an American puts on that iconic USA Hockey jersey.
Hockey is a beloved sport in Canada, and rightly so, and it's also the most popular sport in many parts of the world, including Sweden, Finland and Russia.
NHL hockey has always reigned as one of the top four major professional sports in the United States, behind the NFL, MLB and NBA.
Of the four major professional sports, only the NFL and NHL have 32 teams, while MLB and the NBA currently have 30 teams.
With the addition of the Seattle Kraken, the NHL has proven that hockey is not only booming in the United States, but thriving.
Attempts to establish teams in cities such as Atlanta and Phoenix have failed due to lack of local interest, but other new teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights are proving that NHL hockey is here to stay in the United States.
Many of the cities that were home to the original six teams or the 12 teams after expansion, including Detroit, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Boston, have proven that hockey is not only popular but beloved by their respective fans.
Currently, seven of the NHL's 32 teams are in Canada. The Seattle Kraken joined the league and beat out Quebec City to become an NHL team.
Hockey is popular in the United States, and winning teams contribute to the popularity of the sport.
This is evident in the success of the Florida Panthers, who have seen fan attendance increase by approximately 20%.
From Los Angeles area teams the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks to the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, who have one of the most loyal fan bases, hockey in the United States is here to stay.
This season's Stanley Cup Final broke records as the most-watched event in NHL Finals history.
In cities like Nashville, Tennessee, known for country music, fans can expect to see celebrities like Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman enthusiastically rooting for their teams.
The NHL is seeing an increase in viewership and attendance numbers.
USA Hockey is continually looking to recruit young skaters into its development league, and at the same time, the USHL has proven it can produce quality, skilled players, leading some to argue that the OHL and USHL are competing for destinations for current and future young prospects.
The NHL itself is also promoting youth hockey with promising results.
Though Arizona lost to the Coyotes, the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews is a proud prospect who grew up in youth leagues in his hometown of Phoenix and then the NHL Youth Hockey League.
Quinn Hughes is arguably the best defenseman in the sport right now and is a promising American-born skater. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continues to perform well in the league. Both players play for the U.S. National Team.
And Matthew Tkachuk and his brother Brady are carrying on their father's legacy and proving that American hockey players can make it in the league.
Americans love their neighbor, Canada, and rightly so, with a historically friendly relationship that spans hundreds of years. American hockey fans also owe the Canadians due credit for creating the great sport of hockey.
American hockey fans are eager to share the sport and continue to see young American players take to the ice in the NHL. The competitive spirit and the pursuit of greatness is part of the American spirit, especially in professional sports.
Hockey is thriving and Americans can look forward to even more great times with collegiate teams, USHL, USA Hockey and NHL youth leagues. These leagues continually produce talented players and contribute to the growth and success of hockey in the United States, promising even more exciting moments for fans.
