5 reasons American hockey is on the rise
In honor of Independence Day stateside, it's time to acknowledge the growth of hockey in the United States.
The game has spread significantly south of the border in the 20 years since the U.S. defeated Canada to win the World Cup of Hockey, inspiring a whole new generation just as the game grew following the 'Miracle on Ice' in 1980.
Here are five reasons American hockey is blossoming and should only continue to grow.
Patrick Kane
The Chicago Blackhawks star is a lightning rod of controversy off the ice, but his impact on it is undeniable. Kane became the first American-born player to win the Hart Trophy last month after a season in which he claimed the Art Ross Trophy with a career-high 106 points.
He also set the record for the longest point streak by an American-born player, tallying at least a point in 26 consecutive games between Oct. 17 and Dec. 13.
His off-ice legal troubles ensure he won't be the singular face of the league any time soon, but the Buffalo native is arguably the NHL's most dynamic player.
Record-setting draft
The present is promising, but the future looks even brighter for USA Hockey.
A record 12 American-born players were chosen in the first round of the NHL draft last month, including five players who played their youth hockey in St. Louis.
For some perspective, compare that to the 11 Canadians taken in the opening round. Three Americans went in the first seven picks for the first time in 10 years, and 55 U.S.-born players were drafted in all.
At least a handful of them should make major contributions in the NHL for years to come.
Auston Matthews
The first-overall pick won't be playing close to home with the Arizona Coyotes, but the Toronto Maple Leafs' top prospect will be a huge boon for the U.S. program if he excels in the biggest hockey market in the world and continues representing his country on the international stage.
Matthews was the first American chosen with the top pick since Kane in 2007, and no one's doubting he'll have a similar impact.
The centerpiece of the Leafs' youth movement should contribute fairly quickly after spending a season playing professionally in Switzerland.
Encouraging participation numbers
A glance at USA Hockey membership provides further evidence that interest is rising.
There are now more than 542,000 players in the system, a 47 percent increase since the Americans won the World Cup in 1996. The total number of participants in the program (622,833) has gone up 45 percent in that span.
The number of players, coaches and officials is steadily increasing nationwide, and that's a positive sign for the growth of the game in the United States.
California's hockey revolution
The Golden State has seen a surge of interest in hockey in the years since the trade that sent Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988.
The number of collegiate players from the state has nearly tripled since 2003. The Kings' Stanley Cup championship in 2012 and 2014 helped to generate even more interest on the west coast, while the success of the San Jose Sharks and competitiveness of the Anaheim Ducks have strengthened the market.
Hockey hasn't caught on in every southern locale, but California is becoming a major hotbed for hockey, and that could very well have been a factor in the awarding of an NHL franchise to nearby Las Vegas for the 2017-18 season.