Many NHL players not keen on playing in Canadian cities: survey

WATCH: A recent survey of NHL player agents reveals that Canadian cities aren’t a hot destination to play in – though Vancouver is somewhat an exception. Ted Chernecki reports.

Toronto. Edmonton. Winnipeg. Ottawa.

Some of Canada’s biggest cities – but also some of the least desirable places for NHL players to play.

At least, that’s the finding from a survey of ten player agents done by ESPN this week. Buffalo was the only American city that placed in the top five least desirable places to play.

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There are several reasons why players are less attracted to Canadian markets, says UBC economic professor James Brander.

“A lot of players, they like going to Nashville, where taxes are really low, or Florida, where taxes are really low,” he says.

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But there are other non-financial factors. Five of the six coldest NHL cities are in Canada. So are four of the seven smallest in terms of population. And then there’s the fact that a Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since 1993.

“You’re in a tough situation. Players want to go to good teams but they also, just like all of us, would prefer a little more sun and a little more mild weather,” says current broadcaster and former Maple Leafs general manager Gord Stellick.

Vancouver, with its milder weather and decent-sized population, was the Canadian city that scored best on the survey.