On Tue, 8 Jan 2002 [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Again
> just look at the demographics of who plays north and south of the 49th
> parallel. In the US it is strictly a middle class and above sport and the
> opposite is true in Canada.
>
I think that Larry has this right for the US side, but in Canada all
classes are interested in and (to the extent they are financially able)
play hockey.  Mike Comrie of the Oilers comes from a very wealthy and
prominant Edmonton family is an example of this.  It is increasingly
expensive to buy hockey equipment and play organized hockey which is a
source of dismay to the "blue collar" class.  This is one reason for the
rise of soccer here (and I think in the States too, but there it is at the
expense of football).

Arthur Berman
North Vancouver, BC