Yesterday was one for the hockey history books! Canada and the USA went head-to-head in an electric showdown, and when the dust settled, it was Canada who came out on top, clinching the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off championship. And let’s be real—this wasn’t just any game. It was high stakes, high drama, and high ticket prices as fans packed TD Garden in Boston, bracing for a battle that had turned into a heated, politically charged spectacle. In the end, it was Connor McDavid who delivered the dagger, netting the OT winner and sending Team Canada into a frenzy.
This midseason tourney was stacked with stars from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the U.S., and if Thursday night was any indication, we just got a sneak peek of what’s coming at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. NHL players are finally making their return to Olympic ice after a decade-long wait, and the hype is real. But while the hockey world basks in the afterglow of an unforgettable tournament, not everyone is caught up in the celebration. One NHL star is hitting pause on the 4 Nations hype to shed light on a bigger issue lurking beneath the surface—and let’s just say, it’s a conversation hockey needs to have.
In a post shared by Mike McIntyre on X, Winnipeg Jets goalie Eric Comrie didn’t sugarcoat a thing when talking about hockey’s biggest problem. After Canada’s big 4 Nations win, he was asked if the tournament could help grow the game. His answer? “I think it was unbelievable for the game of hockey.” But then he hit everyone with the hard truth: “It’s ridiculous how expensive it is, and it kind of grosses me out thinking about how hard it is for kids to play this game.” Yeah, he said it. And honestly, he’s not wrong.
Comrie didn’t hold back on how brutal the costs have become, especially for young goalies. “Goalie equipment these days, it’s ridiculous how expensive it is,” he pointed out. And that’s just the gear—never mind ice time, travel, and everything else. “I feel bad for people because it can be hard to afford,” he admitted, wishing for more programs to give kids a shot at the game. Because when families are getting priced out before their kids even lace up, how many future stars are we missing?
I asked #NHLJets G Eric Comrie about how the 4 Nations may help grow the sport of hockey. He believes it will — but said “it’s ridiculous how expensive it is and it kind of grosses me out thinking about how hard it is for kids to play this game.”
His full quote: pic.twitter.com/Nbq403SGwr
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) February 21, 2025
Still, Comrie saw the impact 4 Nations had and hoped it sparked something bigger. “I think it’s going to get so many people who never watched the game in the States to hope they can get their kids into hockey and start playing.” The excitement is there. The passion is real. Now, as he put it, “We gotta figure out how to make gear cheaper, too.” Because at the end of the day, hockey should be about the love of the game—not the size of your wallet.
This story is developing…
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