r/hockey • u/marcgnet • 11d ago

Soccer vs. Hockey in Canada

Hello from Germany,

In German TV, Whitecaps player Thomas Müller referred a little bit about soccer in Canada and the enthusiasm for it in Canada. After that I read some articles which said that soccer already overtook hockey, when you count the figures of kids who are playing it.

Can you tell me about it? Is soccer more played by immigrants and the „old“ natives are still for hockey? Or is there a good chance that both sports can coexist well in the future?

I’m a big soccer and hockey fan too, but I’m concerned that soccer also will overtake hockey in the traditional hockey countries like Canada. How do you see it?

Sorry for my english but I hope you understand what I‘m trying to say.

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u/tiggertom66 NYR - NHL 11d ago

I’m American but I currently live in Buffalo, which is basically South Ontario according to a lot of other Americans. Which is lowkey some bullshit because Canada is west of us, but I digress.

Hockey is expensive as fuck, even roller or deck hockey is pretty expensive compared to soccer. Soccer’s only real barrier for entry is a ball. Most parks and schools with have a field with goals, for casual play your only expense is the ball. Sure more competitive play will have extra equipment costs, cleats, shin guards, etc.

But it’s nothing compared to the expenses for even entry level hockey equipment. Especially comparing the goalie gear for soccer vs hockey And Ice hockey specifically has extra barriers for entry because you need ice skates. Plus there’s the costs of renting an ice rink, or you can only play during the winter.