Wow, a lot of replies!
Maybe I should clarify my earlier statement. I said Canadians are fanatical about hockey. I did not say they were fanatical about NHL hockey, although many are.
Hockey is part of the fabric of Canadian life and culture. Many of us are on skates before we are in school. The local rink is often the locus of community life, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. For those who no longer play on ice, road hockey is the next best thing. And it's not just kids, I play road hockey regularly with a group of 30-year-olds, and my buddies and I always play on our lunch break when we are at a location that is suitable.
Ask any Canadian to list 10 things that make Canada distinctly Canada, and one of those things, probably one of the first two things listed, will be hockey. I'd be willing to bet my house on that. Whether the person being asked is a sports fan or not.
Hockey is a big deal in Canada. Even NHL hockey. In Toronto season-ticket holders at the new ACC paid a $10,000 "license fee" per seat just for the privilege of buying a season-ticket
I don't know what this all says about my country