Denmark secured a historic 2-1 victory over Canada in the quarter-finals of the Ice Hockey World Championships in Herning on Thursday evening. This unexpected win propels the Danish national team to the semi-finals in Stockholm, marking a significant milestone in Danish ice hockey history.

The victory over Canada, a perennial gold medal contender with a vast pool of players, was celebrated as a David-versus-Goliath moment. The Danish team’s triumph was particularly sweet considering the disparity in player resources; Canada boasts approximately 600,000 players, while Denmark has only around 6,000-7,000.

Despite the magnitude of the event, ice hockey in Denmark often receives limited media coverage compared to other sports. Over 190,000 tickets were sold for the matches in Herning, with more than a third going to foreign fans, making it the largest sporting event held in Denmark this year.

The lack of mainstream media coverage raises questions about the exposure of Danish ice hockey and its potential for growth. While ice hockey is a popular spectator sport in Denmark, often competing with handball for the second and third most tickets sold after football, it struggles to gain significant media attention. This limited coverage impacts potential sponsorships and financial opportunities for Danish clubs.

The success of the Danish national team is attributed to the dedication of local clubs and volunteers who nurture young talent. These clubs, deeply embedded in their communities, have been instrumental in developing players from towns like Frederikshavn, Rødovre, Rungsted, and Herning. Increased public attention and media coverage could further bolster these clubs and enhance their ability to cultivate future generations of ice hockey stars.