The five-dollar bill says it all. It is not only indicative of a national symbol, but the image on it of children playing hockey bleeds Canadian nationalism. But, there is a commonality with each child.
They are all white.
Founded on the notion of multiculturalism, Canada holds the highest per capita immigration rate in the world.
Still, hockey in Canada remains colourless.
The fact that these immigrants are not playing the game rooted in Canada’s history and culture raises a different sort of flag on the state of hockey.
“We need to reduce hockey’s barriers of entry,” says Bob O’Doherty, professor of sport business management at Algonquin College and GM of last year’s World Junior Championships.
“Hockey is facing some significant issues in our country.”
Then why is it that last year more than 800,000 Canadians under the age of 18 were registered in minor hockey?
The answer is not in the numbers, but in the demographics.
The origin of hockey’s imbalance between Caucasians and the rest of the country’s ethnicities begins in the minor leagues, but is personified on the professional stage.
In the 92-year history of the NHL, only 62 players have been black, 17 asian, seven hispanic and five of middle eastern descent.
Compare these numbers to the hundreds of white athletes who enter professional hockey every year and the disparity is obvious.
“Hockey is a money sport,” says Dave Naylor, TSN sports commentator. “Shelling out for hockey is a huge expense.”
Trends show that this expense is magnified for minorities.
“Economic barriers can draw a connection to race,” says Richard Nimijean, a Canadian studies professor at Carleton University. “It’s proven that racialized immigrants have higher poverty levels than white immigrants.”
Tallying up the cost of equipment and registration, the average Canadian family spends approximately $800 per season for one child.
The reality is that a hockey season costs more than two months worth of groceries for a low-income family of four.
Needless to say, Canada’s newcomers have found alternatives to satisfy an active lifestyle.
Instead of being on the ice, Canadian immigrants tend to flock to less expensive recreational activities.
Sports such as basketball, football and soccer have gained wide-spread popularity in Canada.
“All you need to play soccer is a ball and a pair of shoes,” says Nimijean.
“We can play a game almost anywhere, where as hockey you can’t.”
The National Football League estimates that 57 to 61 per cent of its playersare non-white.
As American as the Star-Spangled Banner, the NFL represents the United States’ diverse population far better than hockey does Canada’s.
“We need to continue to grow the sport while our country is growing,” says O’Doherty.
It is important to get minorities involved in hockey, to prevent alienation and exclusion from the Canadian identity.
Entry isn’t cheap and it’s not open to just everyone. On the surface, hockey is a mirror image of Canada’s old boys' club.