The Best Canadian Hockey Towns

Canada and hockey go together like peanut butter and chocolate. If you didn’t know that, you either don’t watch hockey or you’ve never been to Canada in the wintertime.

Just like any sport, hockey has its hotbeds. Coincidentally, each and every one of the cities and towns mentioned in this article claims superiority. Mind you, in entirely different ways. Some cling to a long and storied history. Others flash around their laundry list of NHL alumni, current Hall of Famers, and future Hall of Famers.

It’s safe to say that there is no, clear-cut winner. The best Canadian hockey town is entirely dependent on who you ask, where they’re from, and who they cheer for. Having said that, there is most certainly a top-tier of top towns.

Today, we’ll take a look at the best of the best. Lace ‘em up, tape up your stick, and put the foil on. These are the best hockey towns in the Great White North.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

It may not have an NHL franchise to call its own, but Thunder Bay, Ontario is an important hockey city all the same. On the surface, T-Bay is a lot like many other Northern Ontario cities. But, when it comes to manufacturing NHL-ready hockey talent, Thunder Bay is unrivaled.

The numbers are quite remarkable. Every season since the founding of the NHL in 1918 has featured at least one player from Thunder Bay. Professional players of note include the Staal brothers, legendary Red Wing Alex Delvecchio, the Pyatt family, and even Jack Adams. And it doesn’t end there. Trust me, the list goes on and on and on.

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