Regina author's new book examines Sask.'s once-dominant but now declining presence in the NHL
Saskatchewan has always been proud of its deep roots in hockey and those from the province who have made it to the National Hockey League (NHL). However, a new book says there are now fewer players from the prairie province than ever before making it to “the show.”
Titled “A Whole New Game: Economics, Politics and the Transformation of the Business of Hockey in Canada,” author Neil Longley dedicates part of the book to exploring why at one point in time it was commonplace to have players from Saskatchewan on NHL rosters to why those numbers have declined to now its lowest point than ever before.
Longley, who shared some details of his book in a recent interview with CTV’s Cole Davenport, now lives in Las Vegas but was born and raised in Regina.
He documented that at one point in time, 26 per cent of all NHL players were from Saskatchewan.
That was during the 1950-51 season, a time Longley says Saskatchewan accounted for just six per cent of the country’s total population.
“In fact, Saskatchewan produced the second-most NHLers that season, trailing only Ontario, who produced 50 per cent more players than Saskatchewan, but whose population was 400 per cent larger,” Longley says in his book. “So, on a per capita measure, Saskatchewan was far and away the leading source of NHL talent.
WHY DID SO MANY SASK. PLAYERS 'MAKE IT'
According to Longley, one of the major reasons many Saskatchewan players made it all the way was the province’s cold climate.
“In an era before the proliferation of artificial ice, and where natural ice was the norm, Saskatchewan’s long, cold winters provided an inherent competitive advantage in producing hockey players.”
Longley says another attributing factor was the high rural population, with about 70 per cent of the province’s total population living on a farm or in a small town, much greater than in neighbouring Alberta and Manitoba who have similar climates.
Other than hockey, few outside recreational opportunities existed in winter in these rural Saskatchewan communities, and the sport flourished,” he wrote.
WHY ARE FEWER SASK. PLAYERS 'MAKING IT' TODAY?
Saskatchewan now accounts for only six per cent of Canadian NHLers, according to Longley.
The website quanthockey.com currently lists 19 active NHL players from Saskatchewan, the oldest being Saskatoon’s Luke Schenn born in 1989 and the youngest being 2004 born Kevin Korchinski who also hails from Saskatoon.
Longley says the answer to why fewer players from Saskatchewan are moving on to the NHL is complex and says that ultimately traditional geographical sources of talent became victims to the sea changes that occurred around them.
“Like most liberal democracies in the Western world, Canadian society has undergone a massive transformation since the mid-20th century. For hockey, changing demographics and economic factors in Canada have slowly but steadily shifted the source of talent within the country,” Longley says.
Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle pauses on the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. The Coyotes won 4-3 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The large expansion of the NHL in the 1970s and the inception of the rival but now defunct World Hockey Association (WHA) as well as the arrival of more European players who changed the style of play are major reasons why fewer Saskatchewan-born players have been making it over the last number of decades, according to Longley.
Longley, who holds a PhD in economics from Washington State University is currently the director of business at Nevada State University.
“A Whole New Game: Economics, Politics and the Transformation of the Business of Hockey in Canada” is available now in stores and electronically.
The full conversation with Longley can be watched using the video player at the top of this story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of F ort Chipewyan believe the federal government believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues
The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched up to 227 on Saturday as the grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the Southeast and killed people in six states.
Car flies into B.C. backyard, lands upside down
A driver suffered only minor injuries after going airborne in a residential neighbourhood in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, the car eventually landing on its roof in someone’s backyard.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk attend rally at same Pennsylvania grounds where gunman tried to assassinate Trump
Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where he was nearly assassinated in July, holding a sprawling rally with thousands of supporters in a critical swing state Trump hopes to return to his column in November's election.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.