What was once thought of as a purely Canadian sport has undergone quite a facelift in the past 20 years.
Barely half the players in the NHL are Canadian born–the lowest total in league history. The number of U.S.-born players is 14.1 percent–a 17-year low.
There were 375 Canadians (52.3 percent) on opening-night rosters compared to 380 (53.2 percent) a year ago. This is the fourth consecutive year of decline, according to the NHL.
The number of Europeans is up for the 12th consecutive year. There were 241 Europeans (33.6 percent) on opening-night rosters compared to 227 (31.8 percent) a year ago.
There are 101 American-born players this year compared to 107 (15 percent) one year ago. Not since 1984, when 13.2 percent of players were Americans, has the U.S. percentage been so low.
Twenty years ago the NHL was 81.8 percent Canadian, 10 percent American and 8.2 percent European.
Jack hits the road
Having gone through the most extensive changes in its 68-year history, Augusta National Golf Club opens Thursday with a new look and a new member–six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus.
Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson invited Nicklaus to join the club, making him the second Masters champion to become a regular member.
Arnold Palmer joined two years ago.
Say what?
`The risk of getting stuck in [an airport] when you’re a speedskater is a little bit dicey.’
Christa Taylor, a Utah Olympic Oval official, on the ban of skate blades on airplanes.
