Away From Canada, Hockey and Stress

As the Montreal Canadiens put the finishing touches on what may be the first true rebuild in franchise history, charting a course back to their former glory, there’s a very real possibility they’ll do so without me as the devoted fan I’ve been for over five and a half decades. That’s right. Despite the bright future ahead, the time may have come for me to move on. Dramatic? Perhaps. But I prefer the term realistic.

Noh Canada

Canada—the country I was born in, the one I’ve proudly called home—is slowly pushing me away. A mix of short-sighted political decisions and leaders more focused on their own interests than those of the people they were elected to serve has created an environment of growing uncertainty. The cost of living continues to outpace pension increases. Finding a family doctor has become an impossible task. Seeing a medical specialist requires an endless wait. For aging Canadians, these struggles are becoming all too familiar.

Beyond that, Canada’s identity is slipping away due to a lack of foresight and poorly managed immigration policies, leaving many lifelong Canadians feeling like strangers in their own homeland.

Adding to the turmoil is the state of our southern neighbours, a once-reliable ally, having elected a criminal as President—one whose recklessness threatens to ignite a third World War. The future in this once-beautiful country looks increasingly uncertain.

As a result, more and more Canadians are seeking asylum elsewhere, in search of the peace and affordability that once defined life here. My wife and I are no exception. We are seriously considering joining the 100,000 Canadians who left in 2023—numbers expected to have risen even further in 2024—and are looking at Costa Rica as a potential new home.

And this isn’t just a passing thought. Our recent trip in early February isn’t a vacation—it was a scouting mission. We were going to experience the Pura Vida lifestyle firsthand and find a place to settle. How serious are we? Both my wife and I have already started learning Spanish—it will be my third language.

Hockey’s Progressive Regression

I was fortunate to grow up during the Canadiens’ last great dynasty of the 1970s. I remember the Stanley Cup celebrations, the pure dominance of Yvan Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey, and the rest of that legendary team. Those were the golden years.

I genuinely loved NHL hockey up until 1993. But then came Gary Bettman. Since his arrival as Commissioner, every decision has been made in pursuit of one thing: money. And more often than not, it has come at the expense of the game itself—at least in my opinion.

Now, as if officiating wasn’t already questionable enough and the product on the ice hadn’t been watered down enough, the NHL is looking to expand to 36 teams. If quality hockey has suffered up to this point, I can only imagine what’s coming next.

My Lifetime in Hockey

Then came the internet—a remarkable invention that, unfortunately, gave rise to social media. Suddenly, everyone became an expert in everything, and hockey was no exception. Hidden behind fake names and profile pictures, the so-called “internet warriors” emerged, emboldened by the fact that they could say anything without consequence. This, in turn, created an environment of relentless flaming, bullying, and toxic discourse.

Between the degradation of the on-ice product and the cesspool of online “debates,” following the NHL has become far less enjoyable. Political correctness has only made things worse—where every word spoken offends someone, and every opinion sparks outrage.

The Future

As this trip confirmed what we already suspected—that Costa Rica is where we belong—our home and most of our assets in Canada will be sold. Soon after, we will begin our next chapter in a country where life moves at a slower pace, and where disconnecting from the digital noise is not just possible but welcomed.

For me, this will mark a return to being a fan in its purest form—offline, removed from the endless debates, the manufactured outrage, and the relentless commentary. It will be a time to focus on living, embracing a new culture, and as a Gringo blending in with the Ticos and Ticas.

If the Canadiens do return to their glory days, I will miss the discussions, the debates, and the excitement. I won’t be reading about the latest scapegoat. I won’t be writing about hockey, nor commenting on it. I might watch the playoffs—streaming quietly, away from the noise. And if they win the Stanley Cup, I will celebrate in the simplest way possible: as a fan, the way I once did—before the distractions, before the noise… sitting by the pool, sipping on a Piña Colada.

While I will no longer be writing about hockey after this hockey season is over, I will continue focussing on this blog. So subscribe for free as my social media accounts will likely be deleted as well.

Go Habs Go… and Pura Vida!