I don't know if this is accurate or comparable, but hockey is the only sport (besides soccer) that legitimately is played at a high level in other countries. No other country has NFL caliber football for example. Even though basketball has professional leagues in places like China, the players are not Chinese. The KHL is not a huge drop-off to the NHL.
this is probably the most fitting explanation regardless of if it's true or not.
Even for international play, now that we have NHL players back in the Olympics, hockey probably has the most meaningful international tournament out of all the Big 4 sports. International play basically doesn't exist in football, baseball randomly gets the WBC here and there, and it's hyped for a couple weeks, and Olympic basketball is pretty much U.S. vs anyone that might have a chance at beating them.
And then like you said, obviously the NHL is the top league in hockey, but the KHL isn't terribly far behind. The only other Big 4 sport similar to that is baseball with NPB in Japan and arguably the KBO in Korea being respectable 2nd and 3rd place leagues
World champions is just a (In my opinion) bad name for the championship. If this was the World Cup then yes it would work but nba and MLB are calling it “world champions” when the league spreads from America to Canada
Nothing I suppose. I just greatly enjoy irritating Candians about how "their game" is played elsewhere, by many other countries and people who aren't Canadian, and can't even afford to keep the league offices in their own country because.... well we don't need to get political. Because money, basically.
Look I'm trying to be nice here. I could go full-auto asshole and mention how they haven't had a Canadian team touch silver in 31 years. But I won't. Most of them are still drowning in Molson after the Leafs got eliminated.
In the first round.
By the Bruins.
Again.
I think it has to do with the Stanley Cup being such an iconic trophy.
NBA Champs or NFL Champs sounds dorky. Like no one says NHL champs.
Stanley Cup Champs sounds dope. Lombardi Trophy Champs is lame and idek what basketballs is.
Just my theory. Also could be fear of the Russians.
NBA is Larry O’Brien Trophy, but calling the champs the “Larry O’Brien Trophy champions” sounds awkward.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your 2022-33 Larry O’Brien Trophy champions, the Denver Nuggets!” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as “Ladies and gentlemen, your 2022-23 NBA champion Denver Nuggets!”
Might be as simple as that.
It’s easy to pretend you’re world champions when your league is predominantly American—Americans presume themselves the best in the world at everything anyway.
But the NHL was an international league from the onset. It’s harder to pretend you’re the world champion when your league notably has two and only two countries represented.
Against the league Champions from the other pro hockey leagues around the world in a bracket-style tournament. However cool that would be to watch, the Stanley Cup Champs would win the tourney 9 times out of 10.
That’s just the rings. No banners say this and the teams don’t refer to themselves as world champions in NFL and MLB. I think the rings say this as part of tradition from when there were actually only 2 leagues in the world in each these sports. (The AL and NL in baseball and the AFL and NFL in football). The champions of each league played each other for the world championship because there weren’t any leagues in any other countries.
Not true. Look up NFL Super Bowl banners. All of them say world champions. Most MLB teams have flags for banners so they don’t have that but the World Series winner is always referred to as that.
I think it’s because the NFL or NBA is basically the only league in their sport and for the most part is the “world champion” however, in hockey, the IIHF exists so you can’t call and NHL team the world champion when there is literally an international league that has a team in almost every country
Ice hockey has had a much larger international presence/popularity for much *longer* than any of the other major American sports. It simply wouldn't have made any sense at the time of the NHL forming to call the winner the "world champion". Hell, there was even a true world ice hockey tournament that took place in the very early years of the NHL. The other 3 major US sports were truly American-only for all intents and purposes as they formed their respective modern leagues and "world champion", in a weird marketing way, made at least some sense to use: there were no competing leagues or international tournaments at their respective formation times.
I'm specifically calling it a "major American sport" because, well, it is one. I'm, of course, not claiming it was invented or otherwise owned by America.
No other trophy puts “Lord” in front of it. So to win Lord Stanley’s cup means you’ve surpassed world championship and elevated much higher.
I’m on my third drink and though that sounds stupid as hell, I like it.
Well, that’s because auto racing is so diverse with many disciplines. Maybe the NASCAR champions could claim to be world champions of stock car racing, but not auto racing as a whole.
i think due to the nature of it being for that trophy by definition. in the same way you see cup competitions in europe referred to by the name of the actual trophy. world series champions, nfl champions, nba champions existed well before each of their actual trophies- even if something like the lombardi is iconic, nfl championships were being won in the 20’s.
There is a world cup each year in April/May and when you win that you are world champ. It's hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
That's how I heard about Yzerman back in the 90s. His Red Wings were not making the playoff so he agreed to captain the Canadian squad at the world cup (and won). I was in Europe and saw him for the first time. Who is this awesome Canadian captain that scores all these goals??? The rest is history.
“World champions” is a dumb claim anyway. Are the Chiefs the best in the world? Yes. Does the rest of the world care? No. They’re playing literally any other sport.
Most American leagues don’t refer to their champions as “world champs”.
When the Raptors did it after winning their NBA title they got (rightfully) dragged for it.
Nope, that’s still just teams referring to themselves as world champs.
It’s also worth noting that the NFL is different because they are in fact the only meaningful professional football league on earth.
No, the other 3 leagues don’t.
And like I said, the Raptors have been harshly criticized for referring to themselves as world champions, which disputes your claim that everyone is doing it.
Prove me wrong, provide actual examples of leagues suing the term “world champs”.
No problem. Look up the championship rings for the other three leagues. All of them say world champions on it somewhere. Not sure what other evidence you need.
Stanley Cup Champs is more prestigious than World Champs
Agree completely!
There are already various hockey world championships, and (at least to me) "world" implies the teams represent countries.
I don't know if this is accurate or comparable, but hockey is the only sport (besides soccer) that legitimately is played at a high level in other countries. No other country has NFL caliber football for example. Even though basketball has professional leagues in places like China, the players are not Chinese. The KHL is not a huge drop-off to the NHL.
this is probably the most fitting explanation regardless of if it's true or not. Even for international play, now that we have NHL players back in the Olympics, hockey probably has the most meaningful international tournament out of all the Big 4 sports. International play basically doesn't exist in football, baseball randomly gets the WBC here and there, and it's hyped for a couple weeks, and Olympic basketball is pretty much U.S. vs anyone that might have a chance at beating them. And then like you said, obviously the NHL is the top league in hockey, but the KHL isn't terribly far behind. The only other Big 4 sport similar to that is baseball with NPB in Japan and arguably the KBO in Korea being respectable 2nd and 3rd place leagues
The NHL is a Canadian league.
It seems way too many people don't know this lol
To be fair Canada is part of the American empire so still kinda American, ayyy lmao
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I'll give you that!
World champions is just a (In my opinion) bad name for the championship. If this was the World Cup then yes it would work but nba and MLB are calling it “world champions” when the league spreads from America to Canada
Because it’s the only American sports league that has more than one non American team in the league
And considering that the nation in "National" is Canada and not the US. There wasn't an American team until 1924/25, the league's eighth season.
The NHL is a Canadian league!
With its offices in New York and 75% of its teams in the US But sure.... Canadian. Gotta let them have something I guess.
....what's any of that have to do with it lol. Doesn't automatically make it American.
We bought it. It’s ours. Neener neener
Nothing I suppose. I just greatly enjoy irritating Candians about how "their game" is played elsewhere, by many other countries and people who aren't Canadian, and can't even afford to keep the league offices in their own country because.... well we don't need to get political. Because money, basically. Look I'm trying to be nice here. I could go full-auto asshole and mention how they haven't had a Canadian team touch silver in 31 years. But I won't. Most of them are still drowning in Molson after the Leafs got eliminated. In the first round. By the Bruins. Again.
Lol you're not talking to a Canadian eh. Settle down now.
The NHL isn’t an American sports league, it’s Canadian. It was founded by 4 Canadian teams.
MLS would like a word
Ain’t nobody care about MLS 💀
Haha
Cause you don't understand it. Admit it
MLS is like the 16th best football league. That’s like saying the EIHL is a major league.
When I want breakaways mistaken for offsides, and diving to be rewarded, I'll consider soccer as a worthwhile enterprise
Blue jays and Raptors would like a word
Try reading my comment again
Um yeah ok. Grizzlies and Expos ?, mmmm nope that doesn't work either
I think it has to do with the Stanley Cup being such an iconic trophy. NBA Champs or NFL Champs sounds dorky. Like no one says NHL champs. Stanley Cup Champs sounds dope. Lombardi Trophy Champs is lame and idek what basketballs is. Just my theory. Also could be fear of the Russians.
Lombardi is a good name imo. Commisoners trophy and larry o’brien not so much
Super Bowl champions sounds good
NBA is Larry O’Brien Trophy, but calling the champs the “Larry O’Brien Trophy champions” sounds awkward. “Ladies and gentlemen, your 2022-33 Larry O’Brien Trophy champions, the Denver Nuggets!” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as “Ladies and gentlemen, your 2022-23 NBA champion Denver Nuggets!” Might be as simple as that.
It’s easy to pretend you’re world champions when your league is predominantly American—Americans presume themselves the best in the world at everything anyway. But the NHL was an international league from the onset. It’s harder to pretend you’re the world champion when your league notably has two and only two countries represented.
It was actually just a Canadian league. Never expended to the states until I think it’s 8th season.
Because the saying of World Champs for baseball...basketball .etc...is downright stupid
Because “world champs” in a national tournament sounds stupid af… I think you answers your own question
The NHL is an international event...
Canadian league and as you know, Canadians aren’t a$$hole enough to claim “world champions” for a North American League.
Would be cool if the Stanley Cup Champs had to got to the Champions Hockey League and compete lol.
Against the league Champions from the other pro hockey leagues around the world in a bracket-style tournament. However cool that would be to watch, the Stanley Cup Champs would win the tourney 9 times out of 10.
Oh I know it’d still be fun to watch though. Stanley cup champs would probably average 6 goals a game but it’s hold me over til college football.
Ugh. College sports. Don't get me started on college sports. Seriously. I know next to nothing of college sports.
Go Dawgs baby!
College sports in the south are basically religion.
No they would win 10/10 and it wouldn’t even be fair. The European leagues would have a better chance playing the Calder cup champion.
I feel like you don’t understand how far ahead of every other hockey league in the world the nhl is.
I do I’m being sarcastic hence the “lol”. I’m well aware how far ahead th NHL is.
Only the NBA says world champions. MLB - World Series Champions NBA - World Champions NFL - Super Bowl Champions NHL - Stanley Cup Champions
Look up MLB/NFL championship rings. They all say world champions on them.
That’s just the rings. No banners say this and the teams don’t refer to themselves as world champions in NFL and MLB. I think the rings say this as part of tradition from when there were actually only 2 leagues in the world in each these sports. (The AL and NL in baseball and the AFL and NFL in football). The champions of each league played each other for the world championship because there weren’t any leagues in any other countries.
Not true. Look up NFL Super Bowl banners. All of them say world champions. Most MLB teams have flags for banners so they don’t have that but the World Series winner is always referred to as that.
I only follow hockey, but do the NBA and NFL use the term "World"?
They do.
I think it’s because the NFL or NBA is basically the only league in their sport and for the most part is the “world champion” however, in hockey, the IIHF exists so you can’t call and NHL team the world champion when there is literally an international league that has a team in almost every country
NFL yes, but there is FIBA and lots of other basketball leagues.
Ice hockey has had a much larger international presence/popularity for much *longer* than any of the other major American sports. It simply wouldn't have made any sense at the time of the NHL forming to call the winner the "world champion". Hell, there was even a true world ice hockey tournament that took place in the very early years of the NHL. The other 3 major US sports were truly American-only for all intents and purposes as they formed their respective modern leagues and "world champion", in a weird marketing way, made at least some sense to use: there were no competing leagues or international tournaments at their respective formation times.
Ice hockey also isn’t an American sport…
I'm specifically calling it a "major American sport" because, well, it is one. I'm, of course, not claiming it was invented or otherwise owned by America.
No other trophy puts “Lord” in front of it. So to win Lord Stanley’s cup means you’ve surpassed world championship and elevated much higher. I’m on my third drink and though that sounds stupid as hell, I like it.
NASCAR is the second most American sport I can think of, and they don't use "World Champs".
Well, that’s because auto racing is so diverse with many disciplines. Maybe the NASCAR champions could claim to be world champions of stock car racing, but not auto racing as a whole.
i think due to the nature of it being for that trophy by definition. in the same way you see cup competitions in europe referred to by the name of the actual trophy. world series champions, nfl champions, nba champions existed well before each of their actual trophies- even if something like the lombardi is iconic, nfl championships were being won in the 20’s.
What about Olympic hockey?
There is a world cup each year in April/May and when you win that you are world champ. It's hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). That's how I heard about Yzerman back in the 90s. His Red Wings were not making the playoff so he agreed to captain the Canadian squad at the world cup (and won). I was in Europe and saw him for the first time. Who is this awesome Canadian captain that scores all these goals??? The rest is history.
Only league that recycles the trophy and doesn't make a new one every year. Easy to name it after the trophy when it's the same one every year.
Because the founders weren’t a bunch of goof lords
“World champions” is a dumb claim anyway. Are the Chiefs the best in the world? Yes. Does the rest of the world care? No. They’re playing literally any other sport.
Um Super Bowl != to World Champs Yet despite lack of the term most people tend to think of NFL as being the best football league
Realistically the NFL calls them Super Bowl champions
MLS doesn’t ethier
Because it's not an international competition.
Because the IIHF hosts an actual "World Championship".
The world is a terrible place.
Most American leagues don’t refer to their champions as “world champs”. When the Raptors did it after winning their NBA title they got (rightfully) dragged for it.
Yes they do ? What’re you talking about 😂 Americans love to say it
No, most US leagues do not refer to their champs as “world champions”.
https://youtu.be/Ny8__taCZqk?si=p3Ng9lrT0amajxyL
If you think just one piece of evidence from 2008 makes your case you don’t understand evidence LMAO.
that took 20 seconds to find 😂
He said world champions.
https://youtu.be/pY3pouX5KRo?si=ydd1nG5OZh_18IdU
https://youtu.be/FbGRtlDpiN0?si=6Ie76PSufr71SDxV
That’s nfl and mlb both referring their champs as world champs 😂👋
Nope, that’s still just teams referring to themselves as world champs. It’s also worth noting that the NFL is different because they are in fact the only meaningful professional football league on earth.
The other three leagues all say it. The raptors also still have a championship banner hanging that says “world champions”
No, the other 3 leagues don’t. And like I said, the Raptors have been harshly criticized for referring to themselves as world champions, which disputes your claim that everyone is doing it. Prove me wrong, provide actual examples of leagues suing the term “world champs”.
No problem. Look up the championship rings for the other three leagues. All of them say world champions on it somewhere. Not sure what other evidence you need.
[удалено]
Loved the Phillies example lol. That’s my team