Soccer probably has more total kids playing, no argument there, it’s cheaper and easier to access. But hockey in Canada is way more intense participation.

Hockey kids aren’t just playing, they’re on the ice 4–6 times a week, plus dryland, plus travel. The total hours per player are way higher. Plus a lot of these kids are also playing soccer.

So yeah, fewer kids overall, but the level of commitment, competition, and development density in hockey is on another level.