Are you interested in the Word Championships?

To the americans: Are you interested in the WC? All you can hear in Germany is every year, that noone in USA and Canada is interested in the WC only a little. Nore the fans neither the media.
So, is it really so? In an olympic year its extreme, of course.
In general its for sure a big problem that its in the time were the playoffs are running in the NHL. And probably because the WC is every year.
You follow the wc with interest, with one eye, or it doesn't matter to you?

I'm a Swiss canadian, so I ALWAYS follow the Worlds. It's the place where small countries can get their glory.

In Canada the casual fan knows the worlds are going on but thats about it.The hardcore hockey fan that watches the playoffs no matter what and is a big fan of any hockey, follow the worlds, the difficulty for alot of people is that they are working while the games are being played, but I wouldnt say that their isnt an intrest. All the games are televised live and I want Canada win and with the addition of Shanny im sure their will be others maybe from calgary, the tournament as it goes on will garner more intrest.

To me, the Word Championships are boring. Seeing a bunch of little kids who are smarter than me also makes me cry. So I will not be watching the Word Championships.

To me, the Word Championships are boring. Seeing a bunch of little kids who are smarter than me also makes me cry. So I will not be watching the Word Championships.

To bee or not to bee? That is the question.

I would watch it, but they would not show it in DC area.

Usually I am up for the tournament but not this year. I think it has to do with the fact that the NHL is back after last years lockout and the Olympics were just a couple of months ago. Plus, Team Canada looks weaker than ever. That doesn't help.

When does it start?

I'm interested but its damn hard to follow when they don't show it on any US TV channels and all you can do is maybe pay a russian language website for live feeds or wait for torrents...

or i think there's a live RADIO link available....i haven't tried that one yet though

i loved the olympics and would have loved to watch these games as well.

:(

I follow it.

When does it start?

Today.

I'm interested to see the players who go over, because it's usually an eclectic group that changes every year. Ryan Smyth isn't going to be there for the first time in seemingly forever as the Oilers finally won Round 1. ;)

I try to watch a few games on TSN (they show all the Canadian games) and keep up with the tournament.

I've been to the World Championships in Hannover, and it was a lot of fun.

But it'll take a backseat for me as long as the Senators are in the NHL playoffs.

I'll watch it as an hockey fan. Hoping to get a few good games.

I could not care less about Canada's result however, and that is something that held some truth years-in years-out. It's not important at all in my eyes.

To the americans: Are you interested in the WC? All you can hear in Germany is every year, that noone in USA and Canada is interested in the WC only a little. Nore the fans neither the media.
So, is it really so? In an olympic year its extreme, of course.
In general its for sure a big problem that its in the time were the playoffs are running in the NHL. And probably because the WC is every year.
You follow the wc with interest, with one eye, or it doesn't matter to you?Hell yeah, I'm interested - to the point that I also run an international hockey board.

Hockey does not begin and end with the NHL. :teach:

Even if the Canucks were in the playoffs, I would still pay close attention to the Worlds...

I'd watch the games if they were on in the US. As it is I will read about them on tsn or canoe or some website that covers them.

I don't know if it is the olympics or because I have been taking more interest in the NHL but this years WC doesn't feel that interesting, I really hate it that it doesnt have the best players, what is the point of being world champion then? You are not the best but that is what the tournament is all about.

Something tells me that as soon as Sweden goes into the quarter- or semifinals, I will be sitting infront of the TV screaming and shouting, I sure hope so.

I don't know if it is the olympics or because I have been taking more interest in the NHL but this years WC doesn't feel that interesting, I really hate it that it doesnt have the best players, what is the point of being world champion then? You are not the best but that is what the tournament is all about.

Something tells me that as soon as Sweden goes into the quarter- or semifinals, I will be sitting infront of the TV screaming and shouting, I sure hope so.

Yes, the problem is that the season in america is so long. But you also can not make a World Championship in June or July. So, it's the fault of the NHL at most, that there are not the best players at WC. Like it should be.
I think the Olympics are the real WC for the hockey countries. It's all 4 years, like in soccer for example, and it's important to nearly every Player, except of some Players like Kiprusoff.

Wow, I can't believe how many Canadians don't follow it! I have been following it closely for the past few years. I try to watch all Canadian games that are broadcasted on TSN. :handclap: Playoffs are on a whole nother level though. :yo:

Wow, I can't believe how many Canadians don't follow it! I have been following it closely for the past few years. I try to watch all Canadian games that are broadcasted on TSN. :handclap: Playoffs are on a whole nother level though. :yo:

I have been following it for the past 4 years...

I really like team Canada this year, lot of hot NHL's prospect!

As a Canadian.. I simply couldn't care less about the World Championship of Hockey.

I'm just interested in watching crosby, AO, and malkin. Only reason why i'll watch some of the games.

As a Canadian.. I simply couldn't care less about the World Championship of Hockey.

ditto

As a hockey fan, I follow the games and would watch if available, which they are not for me this year. I watched the USA games on Mediazone last year and over the years have tried to follow the tournament through the boxscores, etc., and listen on the radio when I can. However, it does take a backseat to the NHL playoffs.

I agree with some others that it is too much having the World Championship played the same year as the Olympics. I went to World Cup of Hockey games in St Paul and Toronto in 2004, but don't like the World Cup right now either because of the inconsistent scheduling (of course, sounds to me like the World Cup of Hockey is on hold for now).

This year I'm not really that interested.

Last year, without the NHL, I was super interested. I watch every game I could on TV, and checked out games of the smaller nations as well (Slovenia, etc). This year, with the NHL and the Olympics that were just held, I have very little interest. My interest for hockey this season is also starting to wane, after the Canadiens were eliminated. With the World Cup starting in just over a month, I'm really turning my interests to there.

To the americans: Are you interested in the WC? All you can hear in Germany is every year, that noone in USA and Canada is interested in the WC only a little. Nore the fans neither the media.
So, is it really so? In an olympic year its extreme, of course.
In general its for sure a big problem that its in the time were the playoffs are running in the NHL. And probably because the WC is every year.
You follow the wc with interest, with one eye, or it doesn't matter to you?
very much so......but only because the pen's have so many players playing....and the chance to see malkin and ao on the same line :)

I like the world championships. It's a great chance to see European players and NHLers who would probably not be on the "best on best" team perform.

This year I'm not really that interested.

Last year, without the NHL, I was super interested. I watch every game I could on TV, and checked out games of the smaller nations as well (Slovenia, etc). This year, with the NHL and the Olympics that were just held, I have very little interest. My interest for hockey this season is also starting to wane, after the Canadiens were eliminated. With the World Cup starting in just over a month, I'm really turning my interests to there.

Yes, the World Cup will be awesome. I live in the middle of the heart of football in Germany, and close to the arenas in Dortmund and Schalke.
This will be just great and a once in lifetime experience! Counting the days...

I absolutely love the World Championships, not many of my friends do. Pretty much no matter what time of day they're on I watch them, whether it be 5 in the morning ar 10 at night.

Can't watch any games, no idea who's on the teams, and didn't we get done with some sort of "world tournament" just afew months ago? Go USA, I guess... I'm not paying attention.

I'm interested, for sure, but I don't think there is much of an opportunity for Americans like myself to watch it on television.

i follow it, though the playoffs are at the same time so the world championships hardly ever consists of the best players in the world so it isn't followed heavily.

I could care less about this tournament. Right now I am watching the CHL finals. Which IMO is so much better to watch.

I'm definitely interested. I was in Austria last year during the lockout and saw the bronze & gold medal games. With that said, I think that the world championships are a "bigger deal" than with NA fans. If you get the chance, I would HIGHLY recommend going to the worlds. It's GREAT fun!!!!

No.

This tournament has as much impact on me as the Spengler Cup or those Olympic hockey tournaments before there were NHLers.

If you win, WHAT HAVE YOU WON? You are not the best team in the world because most of the best players on the planet are still competing for the Stanley Cup. They should call it the "Best national team of players who got eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs". Really, no impact tournament.

Yes, I am interested,but it is hard to follow for those of us in the US. Really can only follow via the internet :( Also tough with the Stanley Cup playoffs going on.

Hey it my last chance seeing Bergeron, Boyes and Stuart winning something this year !!! :biglaugh: ......... :cry:

As a Finn I am intressed. World championships are a good tournament to bring new young players to national team. They get a change to play tough games and learn the style of national team. It is also intresting to see the small hockey nations in a tournament where they have a change to win big nations.

I'm interested.

This is Ukraine's primary international tournament, we have been attending the main tournament since 1999 and counting..

I hardly can catch most games as they are relayed right in my workday.

The little interest I have for the world championship is usually focused on NHL teams prospects, how they fare, ect...

I'll try to keep up a bit but I usually won't watch the games.

That Canada wins or looses does not change anything for me.

NHL 1st, international competition 2nd.

Should the Edmonton Oilers play the New Jersey Devils in a gave 7 playoff series at the same time than WC's final between the Canadian and American team, I will forget completely about team Canada to root for the Oils.

A Canadian NHL team winning the cup makes me more happy than a Canadian national team winning a world championship.

In my opinion, most critiques that goes into european players performing in the playoffs comes from our own view of international competition.

For some may tell themselves that if european players care about the stanley cup as much as they (hockey analysts/fans) care for world championship and international competition...

It is not my opinion. Each individual has a different value system. Being north american does not make you immediately "hungry for hockey" (we has our share of lazy canadians!).

However, each time I hear about european mercenaries that were raised in "another" hockey culture (where the stanley cup is not front and center), I always have a small thought about how "we", north americans, care little about the world cup when the NHL is in action.

I'm interested. I pretty much hate every other sport so as long as its hockey or hockey related, I'll watch.

I don't know if it is the olympics or because I have been taking more interest in the NHL but this years WC doesn't feel that interesting, I really hate it that it doesnt have the best players, what is the point of being world champion then? You are not the best but that is what the tournament is all about.

Something tells me that as soon as Sweden goes into the quarter- or semifinals, I will be sitting infront of the TV screaming and shouting, I sure hope so.

Regardless of how Sweden does in this tournament, take comfort in the fact that the Tre Kronor are the best team in the world right now!!!

I like it and watch some of the games, just depends on which ones.

Very interested. Lots of great hockey to watch. Nice to see the game on the larger ice and see some of the players that you normally don't get to see. Last year I was at the Worlds in Austria. If you get the chance, you should go. What a trip!

As a Canadian.. I simply couldn't care less about the World Championship of Hockey.So you are not a hockey fan, just an NHL fan, right?

I can understand someone paying more attention to the NHL, but "couldn't care less"?? :shakehead

I'm interested. I pretty much hate every other sport so as long as its hockey or hockey related, I'll watch.
I also like to watch football (real football), but anything hockey trumps ANY other sport.

Several posters have said it is "a tournament". Bingo.

It is NOT the World Championships, it is "a tournament". It is simply the best teams each country can throw together when most of the world's best player are doing something else. So, it is just "a tourmanament". The team that wins is not the best team in the world, they are just the team that won "a tournament". That is why people say they couldn't care less. There is no significant international impact to winning this tournament because if all of the best players in the world were there, the outcome would be different or much more meaningful. If the Ukraine beat Canada 5-0 and won the gold, would I be shocked? Not at all. I would know that Canada did not send its best team and this is not a real measure of our national team.

It is just "a tournament". Kinda fun but no real championship of any kind.

Several posters have said it is "a tournament". Bingo.

It is NOT the World Championships, it is "a tournament". It is simply the best teams each country can throw together when most of the world's best player are doing something else. So, it is just "a tourmanament". The team that wins is not the best team in the world, they are just the team that won "a tournament". That is why people say they couldn't care less. There is no significant international impact to winning this tournament because if all of the best players in the world were there, the outcome would be different or much more meaningful. If the Ukraine beat Canada 5-0 and won the gold, would I be shocked? Not at all. I would know that Canada did not send its best team and this is not a real measure of our national team.

It is just "a tournament". Kinda fun but no real championship of any kind.It's still a celebration of hockey, no matter what merit you give to the winner.

And the level it is played it is only under the NHL.

I love the WCH. Its not that I live in a illusion that its "big", and I am not gooing to make a argument that it "means" anything to win it. What really means something?

Though its hockey in the spring. Hockey is my life. I cheer for two teams. One in the SEL and one in the NHL. None of them have gotten anywhere the last decade, once to the semis in the SEL in 1999. :shakehead

Anyway its a chance to watch competetive hockey in may and have a team to cheer on. Its also pretty smooth tournament to invest your emotions in. Its short.

I also think there is allot of charm in the WCH. There are 17 y/o prospects, old veterans, the smaller countrys have allot of profiles who you gets to know. You get to see players in enviorments you never see them otherwise. Sometimes there are some tremendously skilled lines in the WCH. Its ridiculos to compare to the Stanley Cup in term of competetiveness, but there where along time ago there where more skilled players in the Stanley Cup finals then in the WCH finals. Its pretty nervy to watch the best of one games in the medal round.

And yes, all teams don't have their best teams. But they have the same conditions to get the best players. Everyone not in the PO's after the first round are allowed to go. So its a tournament with the best players, available. After all there are 22 teams eliminated from the NHL when the WCH starts. Its not fair since its some luck involved in what players become available or not, but its played every year so who cares. The best hockey nations often wins the WCH. Czech, Canada and Sweden. Slovakia have won it once, other then that its thoose three the last decade.

I'm not really interesting yet, because Russia has games with Kazahstan and Belarus.. Waiting tomorrow game Russia - Slovakia :yo:

I'm not really interesting yet, because Russia has games with Kazahstan and Belarus.. Waiting tomorrow game Russia - Slovakia :yo:

Lucky you, our games have been Ukraine and Italia so far, with the "big" game against the swiss. Not very exciting.

I love WCHs. That's also one of few opportunities for me to see some of the best hockey and some of the best players.

But I don't like those (and there are many here) that care only about the NHL and anything that is not NHL-related is just not good enough and not worth watching. :shakehead

Like Ola said; it has a lot of charm and you get to see prospects playing with veterans, the best players from Europe who are definitely NHL-caliber players, old NHL-ers who now play in Europe and of course the best players available from the NHL. That's very interesting!

And the fans are always great and so is the atmosphere. I was in Vienna last year and in Torino this year and international hockey is the best thing in the world! :yo:

Its hockey, so what is there not to like.

why do I like it and why am I here for two weeks?

There is no otehr place where you could see personally so many great games at one place and few days.

It is the only place I could see upcoming NHL stars live at one place- - Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Kessel - there is no chance to see them in the future for me

I can also find a new stars, which are not so promoted by media, but can have a huge impact in the furture - Slovenian Anze Kopitar, or Belarussian Michail grabovsky.

I can also see a players from different hockey styles - they do play different hockey style in Switzerland, Russia and USA.

I could enjoy watching current NHL stars - Shanahan, Kaberle or Hossa

I can watch experienced european veterans, who "makes the international hockey" - Nummelin of Finland, Vyborny of Czech, Sushinsky of Russia.

I can meet on the venues great personalities of hockey history, attending the games.

But the best of all is the atmosphere you have in the arenas - lot of friendly fans from around the world, impressive cheering, funny costumes, singing, chanting, friendly meetings at the town, neverending beer celebrations... You can not find this anywhere in the world, any other sport. Thats why I like world championships.

it's tradition.

the drawback are the early games who usually match up teams either just coasting or tremendously mismatched... but the later rounds and the playoffs are tops.

it's not as epic now that the Soviets aren't around, but I suppose Canada has taken that role (now that they send better than token squads).

I'm very interested, but living in Texas makes it sort of hard to follow, aside from checking the box scores which just doesn't wet my appetite.

Is there any place to stream the games?

I'd be a lot more interested if I could actually SEE the games. Following along vicariously sux.

I'd be a lot more interested if I could actually SEE the games. Following along vicariously sux.

Agreed. I would love to watch but this is getting zero coverage in the states ... not that I really blame them - the US team is devoid of "names" - Richard Park captain? eesh. We can barely get NHL game highlights on tv ...

I'm very interested, but living in Texas makes it sort of hard to follow, aside from checking the box scores which just doesn't wet my appetite.

Is there any place to stream the games?
Hey, mon......I feel fir ya.
This tourney rocks always has. I even miss the old Isvestia (sp) tourney.
Yeah, yeah the best players for almost all countries are still in NHL playoffs.
But watching Crosby, Boyes, and Bergeron on the big ice is magic.
In Canada (okay, to rub it in ;) ) TSN has the game live at 2pm at and 830pm at on delay. What can I say you US hockey fans gotta get on the US channels to show this stuff. It's great.
Yes I poke fun.......ooopsey.......
But this is Canada all hockey , all the time.....
We get Midget AAA on TV, U-18, Women's National Championship and in the fall we'll get Tier 2 Jr A "World Challenge" ?
What can I say? Except I feel for other sports trying to get attention :sarcasm:
Live updates of Canada's games can be had at www.hockeycanada.ca ;) couldn't help myself ;)

Can't americans get TSN in the US? I can get German TV in Sweden. All I need is a big disk and to pay some money for a card.

Can't americans get TSN in the US? I can get German TV in Sweden. All I need is a big disk and to pay some money for a card.
Hey to add gasoline to the fire.........
Americans traditionally have little interest in International tourneys in any sport.
The last World Basketball Championship in Indianapolis had more empty seats than full ones. The World Baseball Classic had sports media guys questioning teams letting American players go?
I dunno, but there seems little interest in the States in World Championships, it's not limited to hockey.
All US hockey fans can take thier shots now, I 'll go hide .