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Messier concerned over drop in Canadian kids playing hockey

Mark Messier

An emotional Mark Messier pauses as he speaks during his induction into the Order of Hockey in Canada in Ottawa, Monday April 8, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

AP

A poll taken last winter in Canada determined that fewer kids are getting into hockey. While Canada prides itself on the sport, the drop in participation is taking many by surprise including Mark Messier.

Messier tells The Canadian Press he’s stunned by the results and wants to help improve things as best as he can.

“I think it comes to a shock to everybody,” he said. “We like to consider ourselves at the top of the pyramid in hockey around the world and if we’re going to stay there . . . we have to continue to develop our talent pool.”

Messier wants to do this by introducing more kids to the sport and help keep them interested it as they grow up. Of course, hockey is one of the more expensive sports to play as equipment isn’t cheap so more kids are getting into sports like basketball and soccer.

This development probably doesn’t do much to calm Canadian nerves when it comes to the World Junior Championships either as Canada hasn’t won gold there since 2009.

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