🏒 Why Ice Hockey in the United Kingdom Sucks! 💩

For a country that invented Ice Hockey, why is the United Kingdom so bad at it? Is it just Team Great Britain doing poorly on an international level, or is it down to a terrible Elite League? Is it just lack of participation or is there something that the media doesn’t want to explain to you? Ninh explains why the Brits are so bad at hockey!

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Video: Copyright Ninh Ly 2020, Elite League, Sheffield Steelers, Nottingham Panthers, Manchester Storm, KHL, NHL, IIHF, Canada, Team GB
Images: Ninh Ly
Music: ‘Pacific Paradise’ by Ampyx
Narrated, Directed and Produced by Ninh Ly

[NinhLyUK]

(EDITED 19/03/2020) FOR CLARIFICATION:
- This video was not intended to be a shitpost about British Ice Hockey. As an ice hockey fan who sees games regularly (Toronto Maple Leafs, Manchester Storm, Kolner Haie), it pains me that these are the reasons that keep ice hockey a minority sport over here. Unfortunately, I doubt things are going to change anytime soon.
- A few commenters have deemed my points to be cruel and a little harsh. Whilst I'll admit that I could have eased off (especially pertaining to the national team because they've actually done well against the odds), nothing said in my video was untrue. This really is the current state of British Ice Hockey.
- Here in the UK (as well as most other countries) - the world 'hockey' refers to field hockey, not ice hockey. And given that this is a video about UK Ice Hockey and that I am from the UK - I am well within my rights to use the terminology as designated by my country and most of the world. Please don't be an ignorant jackass, and understand that different countries call things by different words. Trying to 'correct me' on this matter will not be tolerated.
- All but two of the 1936 Gold Medal team were born and raised in the UK. Two of them were born and raised in Canada. That does not make the entire team 'Canadian' regardless of where they learned their hockey skills. By right, they are eligible to represent Great Britain, and represent them they did. Currently, most of the U18 American National Soccer team are being trained at Manchester City's academy. That doesn't make them English, does it?!
- For 'thintellectuals' that try and quote Wikipedia on me, especially pertaining to who created ice hockey, (which was unequivocally the Scottish) - you do realise that it contradicts itself in several pages right? I wouldn't expect any less from an online encyclopedia that a 5 year old can edit. Try reading actual books such as 'A History & Philosophy of Sports' by Mechikoff & Estes. Real research in a real book.
- To invent something is to be the 'originator of'. Who originated the idea of play the game of hockey (where you hit an object into a goal) on the surface of ice? The Scottish, not the Canadians.
- Let's be realistic about Liam Kirk - whilst he's a decent player, he's also a 7th round draft pick (189th overall). The odds of him making an NHL roster are slim and he's not even the best prospect at the Pete's. Not saying it's impossible, but the odds are definitely stacked against him.
- For those people who dislike the video because they either can't face the truth, or acknowledge hockey's true roots is rather quite sad. I pity you if you have to create several accounts just to leave dislikes.

[chrispswann]

Theoren Fleury ended his career playing for the Belfast Giants as a 37 year old. He had 74 points in 34 games.

[imrustyokay]

I mean, I'd make sense for ice hockey to be from scotland, since the Queen has Maurice Richard's 500th goal hockey puck. No joke!

[freshPrinceOfBelfairs]

I got into ice hockey a few years ago and watch the Chelmsford Chieftains.

I don't care if it is not the NHL - the games are fantastic fun and there is a huge amount of skill on display.

[ImSNB]

"why would you pay 20 gbp to watch 2nd rate hockey and 3rd rate players" Because hockey is actually fun to watch

[isaakfournier]

Might just be me, but I’d watch shitty hockey over any type of soccer!

[bukelos]

Good luck to you Brits! It would be nice to see new faces in the championships, that may even surprise you.
Greetings from the Czech Republic.

[evman]

I've been a hockey player my entire life, Always A or AA level. I would beat an old lady with a broken hockey stick to even be a 4th Liner in the EIHL or NIHL. Shitty pro hockey is better than 0 pro hockey, which is unfortunately what I play right now

[jason]

*I just found out today that the U.K actually has Ice hockey.*

[bensedg]

Tired: getting promoted to the top tier and getting crushed by everyone in the world championship

Wired: get the entire tournament cancelled due to COVID-19 so you technically have the same success as Canada

[Hogu]

It’s easy to understand because we in Finland tend to have the same problem with football. We have a not-so-great league and little of funding. Luckily, because of the national team finally qualifying to an international tournament (yes, this was the first time ever) there seems to be a little light at the end the tunnel. So never lose your hope.

[therealcouchpotato]

You know your league sucks when Paul Bissonnette was one of your top players.

[aagg]

Why England has never won the world cup after 1966?

[semajxocliw]

It would have been more interesting to investigate how Britain actually declined from a top 5 nation in the early years of the sport to a backwater even in the European regional scene. My guess would be no investment in community rinks, doesn't matter how good you are now if your kids aren't playing.

[shitpants]

I'd love to know how you're getting tickets for the Utd-City game for 20 quid.

[camerasandvids]

College football start at Rutgers Look at them now

[jacklong]

My media studies teacher mentions how his 9 year old nephew plays ice hockey in Manchester

[PoradoWeara]

Over a year later and I pretty sure the majority of ice rinks are struggling to keep its doors open in the UK. Very sad. Closest ice rink is a hour away and I live in a city with around 150k people. Should be one here!

[saulgoodman]

Here in belfast the giants are one of the big teams we have football and rugby teams dotted around the place but as far as i know the giants have one of the largest seating capacities of any arena/stadium in the country apart from Windsor park (national stadium) and the largest stadium in the league. I go to games from time to time and the stadium is regularly packed, there is no lack of interest in Belfast.
Correction second biggest in the league

[dandenrode]

Does it even get cold enough to play pond hockey in GB? Even with all the rinks in Canada people can still play pond hockey for free. So even if a guy lives in the butt fuck of nowhere Saskatchewan, he can still play pond hockey. Same in places like Sweden and Finland. Sincere respect to hockey fans and players in GB