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Canadians in NHL reaches all-time low
ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- According to the NHL, there were 375 Canadians, or 52.3 percent of all players, on opening-night rosters compared to 380, or 53.2 percent, a year ago. The league said it is the fourth consecutive year of decline. European content is up for the 12th consecutive year. There were 241 Europeans, or 33.6 percent, on opening-night rosters compared to 227, or 31.8 percent, a year ago. The percentage of American-born players, 14.1, is at a 17-year low. There were 101 players this year compared to 107, or 15 percent, one year ago. Not since 1984, when 13.2 percent of players were Americans, has the U.S. content been so low in percentage. Twenty years ago, the NHL was 81.8 percent Canadian, 10 per cent American, and 8.2 percent European. Meanwhile, the average player age and size is 27.2 years, 200.2 pounds, and six feet. In other words the average player looks like Anson Carter of the Edmonton Oilers or Bill Muckalt of the Ottawa Senators. Players are, on average, 1.9 pounds lighter than they were last season, while the average height has remained the same for seven consecutive seasons. Age is down from 27.8 last season. Twenty years ago, the average player age was 25.3, weight 188.1 pounds, and height six feet. The heaviest teams in the league are the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers, both at 206 pounds. Eric Lindros (238) and Steve McKenna (255) of the Rangers, and Chris Therien (230), Dan McGillis (234) and Chris McAllister (238) of the Flyers lift their teams to the top of the scale. The Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets are the lightest, on average, each at 194.5 pounds. The Dallas Stars, with 13 players 30 or older, top the league average age at 30.6 years. Edmonton has the youngest team with average age of 25.4. Philadelphia and Tampa Bay -- with a six-foot-two average -- are the only teams taller than the norm. Minnesota's five-foot-10 average height is the shortest. Of the 375 Canadian-born players, 143 are from Ontario, 75 from Quebec and 61 from Alberta. The Montreal Canadiens, with 18, have the most Canadian-born players. Minnesota has 17, and Calgary, Edmonton and St. Louis are next with 15 each. Atlanta and Pittsburgh, with seven each, have the fewest Canadians.
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