Stanley Cup drought in Canada, Vancouver Canucks’ Ryan Kesler to the Rescue
You don’t have to be a hockey fan in Canada to hope that your country wins the Stanley Cup this year. Ordinary people and devoted fans are all hoping that this might be the year that they can bring the cup up north.
Looking at the situation, it’s become a drought in Canada for the Stanley cup, not having won it for nearly 18 years. Canadians breathe hockey.
It’s a normal view when walking in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary where fans gather at the pubs and each other’s houses whenever a match starts.
The last time Canada had a chance at the Stanley Cup was in 2007, when Ottawa Senators faced Anaheim Ducks but lost in a disappointing 4-1 record.
That wasn’t the only time in the past decade.
Canada has had a total of 3 chances including Calgary Flames against Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 losing 4-3 and Edmonton Oilers losing to Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in 2006.
1993 was the last season when Montreal Canadiens brought the Stanley Cup home, but it was all downhill from there.
It isn’t just about somebody bringing it home, now it’s about anyone bringing it home
Canadians once only rooted for their home city teams, but now see all Canadian teams as their own.
The national rivalry has transformed into something much bigger, “International Rivalry”.
As basketball and other sports aren’t as big in Canada, hockey is thought of as a right and home grown so not being able to win a home brewed game results in disheartening the people of Canada.
But that time has come when hopes are once again rising
Performing extraordinarily well this season, Vancouver Canucks is happily celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Appearing this dominant on the ice, the whole of Canada and especially the people of Vancouver are emotionally intensified to the max.
If Vancouver wins the Stanley Cup this year, it will be its first ever in the NHL and an event that will rejuvenate Canadians.
Nothing comes free in this world
In the hope to win the Stanley Cup this year, Canada will have to pray for Ryan Kesler, an American player, who’s been giving the best performance of his 7-year plus NHL career.
Kesler known for his all-rounder performance, has given Canucks everything he’s got and its taking them to the playoffs. Playing easily in every part of the ice, Kesler is Canucks’ best hope at getting anything right now.
Vancouver standing first in the Western Conference right now is confident of getting all the way this season, and it might be all because of Ryan Kesler.
Canadians love the Vancouver American
That’s nothing to be surprised of seeing his popularity which has led him to the first All-Star Game of his career.
"It's been one of those things where every year you look at the season before and you want to get better", Kesler commented on ESPN.com
What’s his secret?
Having a devoted and confidence building father and long time coach really does give you the will to struggle. As seen on a recent call during an interview, his father never doubted his abilities and told him that hard work is the key to his success which
he has acquired today.
Taking more than 100 to 200 practice shots a day for a number of years really has improved his skills.
Showing his passion for the Stanley Cup, Kesler said, “It's the big silver, shiny thing that you want lift over your head. I'd like nothing more than to be part of this team doing that”.
Vancouver and the rest of Canada have their hopes high and are ready to finally party after a long parting with the Stanley Cup.
If Canucks win this season’s playoffs, then Kesler will be the one who should be given due credit, if not then he’s already made Canucks winners in its own league, enough said.
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