sa国际传媒
It is the same hard lesson England learned with soccer, rugby and cricket.
At some point, the game you gave to the world becomes the world鈥檚.
It was a humbling week internationally for Canadian hockey as the U.S., Sweden and Russia swept the medals at both the 2013 world junior tournament in Ufa, Russia, and World U-17 Challenge in Victoriaville, Que.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a kick in the gut,鈥� said Victoria Royals rookie defenceman Joe Hicketts, who captained sa国际传媒 Team Pacific to fifth place at the World U-17 Challenge.
鈥渟a国际传媒 is no longer considered the best hockey nation and everyone comes out thinking they can beat sa国际传媒. Nobody is going to respect us for what we did in the past. We have to re-earn that respect.鈥�
The Canadian style is different, noted Hicketts.
鈥淭here is more speed and less contact in the international game,鈥� said the Kamloops native, who was joined on Team Pacific by fellow Royals blueliner Ryan Gagnon of Quesnel and Edmonton Oil Kings rearguard Dysin Mayo of Victoria. 鈥淧layers think differently in the international game. It鈥檚 a more open, skill game. The WHL is more physical.鈥�
Not that Canadians necessarily need to change their style.
鈥淲e get back by playing our game,鈥� said Hicketts.
Meanwhile, with six players on the Royals roster produced by American programs, head coach Dave Lowry is well positioned to comment on the U.S. team鈥檚 comprehensive semifinal victory over sa国际传媒 en route to the gold medal win over Sweden at the world junior championships.
鈥淭he U.S. has a very good development program,鈥� said Lowry.
鈥淭here has been growth in the game to the point that even California, Arizona and Texas are producing good players. We鈥檝e seen it on our roster. We鈥檙e always looking at all different places for players.鈥�
