Hockey Canada - Youth Hockey Participation Down Nearly 14k

[Youth Hockey Info]

Stagnated registration, kids dropping out of youth hockey at record numbers

Like USA Hockey statistical data, Hockey Canada is experiencing a similar situation.
 
As seen here in this article USA Hockey Membership Facts or Fallacy? published this past June at Youth Hockey Info. An independent study suggests that Hockey Canada youth participation is down nearly 14 thousand players over the last 5 years, (2014). Which translates to roughly 1 out of every 10 Canadian children are playing competitive youth hockey.

Obviously several factors play into such metrics, including churn. All youth sports experience turn over, or loss of interest every year, but why such high numbers? Price of tuition and collateral cost has a lot to do with it. The price to play travel hockey isn't going to go down, it will however continue to increase due in part to competitive ice slot allocation. There are so many teams these days it makes it nearly impossible for single and two sheet rinks to meet the demand. In turn, it allows rink owners to sell to the highest bidder. As prices go up on ice rental, so too do the prices hockey clubs hand off to their members.

In the video there are suggestions how to offset the high cost to play youth hockey. Such things as equipment drives, tax credits etc.

[Guest]

Great job HC!  Speaking with Canadian parents, cost isn't the primary issue....  More recent generations are just lazier, more unfit and ridiculously hypersensitive.  They’d rather be on their phones cowering in a safe space.  Same for the US.  What next, no contact hockey....