Windsor: The Real Home of American Hockey

Cam Fowler

Most American hockey fans view Detroit as "Hockeytown," but maybe the true home of hockey is right across the border in Windsor. During the course of the last couple of years more and more young American hockey players have spurned college hockey and turned to the Windsor Spitfires.

Austin Czarnik

This year the roster features a bunch of American players including a possible top five American pick. Cam Fowler turned down the Gold Dome to play for the defending Memorial Cup Champions. The move has appeared to pay off for Fowler. He is joined on the roster by fellow Americans: Kenny Ryan, Craig Duininck, Saverio Posa. The roster also featured another another American earlier this year in Austin Watson, who was traded to Peterborough. Watson turned down the University of Maine to play for the Spitfires.

Next year, American World Junior Championship hero goaltender Jack Campbell has signed on to part of the American revolution in Windsor. Rumors are flying around that fellow U-18 team member

Austin Czarnik will take his shot in the OHL.

Both Windsor and the USA Hockey have benefited from the influx of Americans. For the Spitfires it gives them depth and an influx of quality players like Fowler. For USA Hockey it gives players great experience at the highest level in their age group. This experienced showed for Fowler during the WJC when he was the best players on the United States roster. If this continues maybe we should just remain Windsor, Canada "Hockeytown USA.""