A Look at the Passion Behind Cold-Weather Sports

By Jayson Panganiban April 17, 2025 09:38

Maple Country is a sport-crazed nation with millions of adoring fans. Rumor has it that over 1.3 million Canadians are avid ice hockey fans. As the #1 sport in the country, ice hockey rules roost. It's culturally ingrained in Canadians and the continental United States. Given Canada's blistering cold winters, ice hockey holds the top spot for the most popular speed game in the nation. Various NHL teams dominate the scene, including:

● Calgary
● Montreal
● Edmonton
● Ottawa
● Winnipeg
● Toronto

Top Canadian NHL Teams and Star Players

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Four Canadian NHL teams have won the Stanley Cup, including these top-flight teams:

● Edmonton Oilers
● Calgary Flames
● Toronto Maple Leafs
● Montréal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have secured 24 championships. Between 1915 and 2024, Canadian NHL teams have won 37 Stanley Cups, far more than any other team in the league. Third in line is the Detroit Red Wings, with 11 Stanley Cup victories. Ice hockey ranks among the most prized sports in Canada. But it's not the only top sport in Canada. Let's check out the other sizzling-hot attractions!

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a field sport played at a blistering pace. Canadians have engaged in the sport since the 17th century. Interestingly, it only gained momentum when the Olympics recognized it as a summer sport. Today, it attracts a massive following across Canada. A popular attraction worldwide, particularly at colleges, lacrosse has become a North American sporting institution. In 2006, Canada turned the tide when it defeated the United States in the World Lacrosse Championship.

While Canada is competitive in lacrosse, the US has the most wins in the World Men's Lacrosse Championship at 11 - it’s in the Guinness Book of Records. Canada won the tournament three times. Maple Country achieved this honor in 1978, 2006, and 2014. On July 1, 2023, the US beat Canada in a close-fought match. The Red, White, and Blue won their 11th World Championship, 10–7, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Canadian Football

Canadian Football is snugly at #3 on the list of the top sports in Maple Country. Like gridiron played in the US, Canadian Football is played by two teams. In Canadian Football, there are 12 players per side. It is based on a rugby format from the 1860s. The top league for Canadian football is the CFL – Canadian Football League. Football Canada controls the amateur version of the sport. As one of Canada's most-watched field sports, it attracts many players.

Leading from the front is the Grey Cup – the top-notch Canadian football league. This sport is played at various levels, including junior school, high school, and college.

The top-ranking Canadian Football teams include the following:

● 2019 –Winnipeg Blue Bombers – 11 titles
● 2021 –Winnipeg Blue Bombers – 12 titles
● 2022 – Toronto Argonauts – 18 titles
● 2023 – Montreal Alouettes – 8 titles
● 2024 –Toronto Argonauts – 19 titles

Baseball

Baseball is universally played and enjoyed. Canada, like its southern neighbor, is a big fan of baseball. Many MLB players have origins in Canada. Based on a 10-year-old report by Baseball Canada, some 120,000 players were attracted to baseball, and that number is rising. The Western Canadian Baseball League features 11 teams. Until 2005, there were just two Major League Baseball teams in Canada.

In 2004, the Montreal Expos were owned by MLB. But they moved to Washington, DC, and are now the Washington Nationals. The only MLB team to play in Canada is the Toronto Blue Jays. Yet, the Toronto Blue Jays have competed in the majors for two decades. Sports aficionados say over 257 Canadian athletes have competed in MLB games. While there are Minor League Baseball teams like the Vancouver Canadians, the Toronto Blue Jays rule the roost.