2011 NHL Finals: 5 Reasons the Stanley Cup Needs to Come Back to Canada

The Vancouver Canucks have been put under a lot of pressure. 

Not only do they have a city of die hard fans who have yet to win a Cup in their team's forty-year history, but now they have the weight of a nation on their shoulders. 

The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks have all failed in bringing back the cup. 

It has been 18 tough years since the last Canadian team won the Stanley cup, and it's time for Canadians to celebrate the Cup coming back to the birthplace of the game. 

This is a list of the five reasons the Cup needs to come back to Canada. 

As per usual, comments with opinions, arguments and compliments are always appreciated. 

A Whole Nation in Celebration

Rich Lam/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 01: Fans of the Vancouver Canucks cheer during game one against the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Rogers Arena on June 1, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Unlike when any American hockey team wins the cup, all of Canada will celebrate the Canadian team's victory.

It seems that in Canada, if your favourite team is done for the season, you cheer for the Canadian teams that are left.

You just don't see that with Americans.

It might be because there is almost always an American team in the final and in Canada, it is mostly a rare treat, but in any case Canadian fans do love to see one of their teams winning hockey's holy grail.

This is why the cup needs to find a home in Canada this season. 

A Long Time Coming

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- DECEMBER 4: Former Montreal Canadien Patrick Roy speaks to fans during the Centennial Celebration ceremonies prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins on December 4, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Cana

In 1993 the Montreal Canadiens won the cup on the backs of hero goaltender Patrick Roy. 

That was the last Stanley Cup win for a Canadian team. 

Eighteen years ago. 

Canadian fans have endured 18 years of heart ache; it's time to break the trend. 

Canada needs this. 

Ratings

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 31: CBC Hockey Night in Canada television hosts Ron McLean and Don Cherry (R) pose before the start of the game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames at General Motors Place March 31, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada. (

This may not be a reason that Canada needs a team to win the cup, but it certainly is a reason why hockey needs a Canadian team in the final.

If a Canadian team is playing in the cup final, ratings for the telecast go up dramatically.

This is a fact not only in Canada, but also in the States, where ratings for Game 1 were the best they've been since 1999. An article on the fact can be read here.

Having a Canadian team in the final isn't just great for the NHL and the broadcasters but, most importantly, it's great for the fans.  

Youth Hockey

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

SYOSSET, NY - OCTOBER 31: Middle school players compete as Bethpage skates against Jericho at Iceworks on October 31, 2010 in Syosset, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Youth hockey in Canada is really struggling. 

There are many explanations as to why participation in hockey at the youth level is declining. Reasons include funding, perception of violence and the overall decline of physical activity with today's youth. 

If Vancouver were to win the Stanley Cup, maybe kids would become inspired to do what their favorite hockey players on TV are doing. 

Who knows, maybe a Vancouver win will inspire the next Alex Burrows or Roberto Luongo.

An article about the floundering youth hockey program can be viewed here. 

Cup Comes Home

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 01: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins during game one of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Rogers Arena on June 1, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Image

Hockey is Canada's game, there is no doubt about it. 

The game started here, on the frozen ponds of the frigid winters. 

Canada is the home of hockey's greatest players, fans and enthusiasts. The people of Canada deserve this. 

Canadians have endured to long a stretch without it, but now the time has come for the Cup to come back to the game's birthplace.