Sportsnet hockey survey reveals Canadians would rather cheer for no team than the Canucks—and why they're fools

The country, apparently, loves to hate the Canucks.

Polling men and women coast-to-coast about their hockey-watching preferences, Sportsnet asked 1500 individuals to rank their favourite teams.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens took first and second place—unsurprising, given their placement in the two largest hockey markets.

The next highest choice, however, was no hockey team at all.

In a Sportsnet ballot that targeted hockey fans, the Canucks were less popular than wishing that Canadian NHL teams didn’t exist. Those polled would rather stare at a blank TV screen for ninety minutes than root for Vancouver.

That seems more than a little harsh.

Sure, it might be something to do with our zero cups. Or our hit-and-miss home record. Or Willie Desjardins’ habit of benching rookies as soon as they scored. Or maybe that not only did we finish second-to-last in the league this year, we ended up with the fifth overall draft pick—despite having the second best odds to win the lottery. Or any of the above.

Next season, though, offers a great new chance to rebuild. With young, exciting players champing at the bit for more ice time, and veterans slowly being phased out of the lineup, home ice might not be dominated by goals, but it will certainly be full of entertainment. And with Desjardins on the out and Travis Green—a pro at transitioning hotshot rookies to the NHL—behind the bench, fans can expect a new coaching style that sees the Canucks become tougher and faster.

Sportsnet’s second survey takes little of this into account, showing that, apparently, nobody outside of B.C. actually likes Vancouver. While Albertans prefer the Oilers, they’ll happily root for the Senators and the Habs. Manitoba tips its hat to the Leafs and the Habs. Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal are all supported in the provinces towards the east. And the Canucks? Not even a mention.

The country is too quick to judge. As the season closes, there's much to look forward to at Rogers Arena. Rookie Brock Boeser came surging out of the blocks at the end of the Canuck’s season, putting the puck in the net for the game-winning goal on his debut—and with a solid reputation heading into training, it’s more than possible he’ll make the regular roster. Bo Horvat overtook both of the Sedins in scoring, working up a consistent stream of points that will carry him into the next season. And with Ryan Miller’s $6-million salary cap finally coming off the books, even if the team chooses to resign him, that leaves a lot more room for acquiring exciting, pricier players.

All in, there’s a lot to appreciate about the Canucks—even if the rest of Canada has yet to realize it.

Follow Kate Wilson on Twitter @KateWilsonSays