Jacob answers “I'm confused about the whole concept of...”

Rachel asked this question about Beartown (Beartown, #1):

I'm confused about the whole concept of hockey clubs for adults. I get that high school age and younger kids play club sports but what's the deal with the A team with players 18 and over? Is it like farm teams for the NHL?

Jacob As a Swede I can confirm the entire structure of organized team sports is very different to American.

There is indeed a professional adult league in Sw…moreAs a Swede I can confirm the entire structure of organized team sports is very different to American.

There is indeed a professional adult league in Sweden, which is organized into multiple tiers (divisions) based on historic performance. Salaries vary but on the highest levels it's similar to what a regular 9-5 job would pay, more for the top players. Players in the league are mostly those who were just one step below being NHL prospects, but some players come home to it if the overseas career didn't quite pan out. Peter could have been one of those.

Moreover most clubs are not corporations but rather "non-profit" associations without owners, which is why some of the book's sections on the decision making within the club can be confusing. The club in theory belongs to the members and citizens of the region it serves. Without a single direct owner it's quite possible, though uncommon, for the club's voting members to take control and oust an unpopular board.

Finally Beartown Hockey reminds a lot of the club Luleå Hockey with it's logo, proud history, and geographic location in the cold & forested northern parts of Sweden. Though in other regards Luleå town, population 75k, is probably substantially bigger than Beartown.(less)

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