All that said, I'm baffled as to why only 2 of the 6 big hockey countries play the women's game at the top level. Are Sweden and Finland (to name 2) just not as progressive with regards to women's sports?
I like to think that we both are very much ok with women's sports. In the 90s it was mostly about us being behind. At the time at women's WCs the final was usually between Western Canada and Eastern Canada. Then USA started catching up. But women's hockey here just hasn't really caught on. I can think of the following reasons.
1) Women who want to play a team game on skates often pick
ringette here. That is another game originating from Canada (and played only by women). Much like hockey: same rink, same size goals. Only the sticks don't have blades, and instead of a puck they use a rubber ring that players control by putting the end of the stick through the loop. I think that over here it is easier for interested girls to find a ringette club as opposed to a hockey club. I don't know if it is the same thing in Sweden?
2) A popular alternative to hockey in both Sweden and Finland (also Czech republic and Switzerland) is
floorball. The basic idea of the game is very similar to hockey, or may be street hockey
. Except that as the players run (so move slower than on skates), and shoot that hollow ball instead of a puck, they need no padding. The rules are also limiting bodily contact quite severely. So it is a lot cheaper as a hobby than hockey. I play myself (for exercise only) with a group of local
thugs gentlemen in the 40+ age bracket. The pleasures of hockey (sans body checks) with reduced risk of injury, and only needing to buy a stick and shoes fit for indoor arenas. I really wish this game would catch on in North America. The Swedes have been dominating the sport long enough, leaving us in the role of a spoilsport with an occasional upset. Among Finnish women I think it is safe to say that floorball is more popular than either ringette or hockey. Don't know if it is for the listed reasons or not? Those reasons do explain that floorball is played in phys.ed. classes in schools everywhere, but hockey is so-so (boys probably prefer hockey - weather permitting).