Joe Pelletier is a freelance hockey journalist and the Hockey History Blogger, currently writing at http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com . He has also written two books – The History of The World Cup of Hockey (including the Canada Cup tournaments) and Legends of Team Canada.

1. What is the main “secret” of Canadian hockey success ?

Hockey is in the Canadian culture much like soccer is in South America or rugby in New Zealand. The passion for the sport is inescapable. Even if you are not a hockey fan you feel its presence everywhere. This breeds pride and passion. On the international side of things it is the one thing Canada is known for, and known for doing well at. That is something we take great pride in. All of this just seeps down to youth levels of hockey. By the time players reach a more serious stage, they already feel that pride, that passion, and the responsibility and desire to succeed. Hockey is the Canadian dream.

2. How does it feel to always go to the tournament with the view of gold
medal and everything else is considered a fail ?

That’s just the way it is. And really this is only for the best-on-best tournaments – the Olympics, the World Cups/Canada Cup and World Juniors. When it is a true best on best, it is gold or there will be a parliamentary review of what went wrong. I don’t think this outlook is the worst thing, especially since we really do have a good shot to win at every tournament. I think deep down Canada realizes we are not always going to win anymore, which softens the blow, but the expectation can be a healthy asset for us.

Because hockey is at the very core of our culture, it really almost is a case of Canada needs to win. Yes, other countries really want to win, but Canada needs to win.

3. What were you thinking about (what was on your mind) the last seconds
of the Vancouver Olympics match Slovakia – Canada ?

As great as Slovakia played, and as big a scare as they gave Canada, I don’t think there was ever a sense of panic. I always felt we would pull it out. I was nervous only against Russia, up until the big lead was established, and late against the USA in the gold medal game, but otherwise I always had this feeling, or perhaps it was an expectation, that Canada would win. Although when Demitra had the top half of the net all to himself in the dying seconds, I was about to throw my remote control through the TV!

5. What hockey means for average Canadien ? How come it´s getting so

much interest there (thousands of arenas and hundred thousands of
registered hockey players)?

Again, it goes back to culture. Canada is the most multicultural country in the world, and the second biggest country in the world. There are many, many differences in our many regions. This is something most old world countries can not comprehend. Hockey unites us. It has always played a huge role in our nation building and in our place in the international community. When you come right down to it, we all just want to share in some communal event, and since the late 1800s, hockey has provided that for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. And the rink has become the centerpiece of every Canadian community, much like a market or a church is in other countries, and this is still very true today.

6. What´s general public opinion on hockey officials in Canada ? Are
they doing much for improving hockey there ? If yes, what are they doing
?

The general opinion is positive. There always issues about violence and respecting players on the ice, and how to best introduce that early at the grassroots level. I think the biggest concern is the NHL’s impact on youth hockey in Canada, and everywhere for that matter. Too many people equate NHL as hockey, whereas hockey is actually far bigger than the NHL. They have an incredible amount of influence on it, and we’d like to see the NHL take their responsibility in this regard more seriously.

7. Could you name three best Canadien hockey talents (who haven´t
played in NHL so far but we will surely hear about them much in the
future) ?

Just three? Jordan Eberle is probably tops on that list. We’re looking at Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin being the top pick at the 2010 NHL entry draft. I’m a big believer in Brett Connolly, but he’s had health issues. Of that group I would think Eberle has the best chance of being a top player – a candidate for future Olympic teams.

Don’t forget – many of Canada’s top NHL players are still very young. Crosby, Toews, Mike Richards, Drew Doughty – they’re all under 24 I believe.

Foto: Syume