Punjabi Powerhouse: Are West Coast Athletes Dominating the East?

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Alright, did you hear? The Abbotsford Canucks are your Calder Cup champs, the AHL champs this year! It’s wild because if you’re like me and don’t follow the AHL super closely (and I suspect a lot of you don’t), it might surprise you to learn how much Punjabi representation there is on that team. We’re talking two active Punjabi players, which is a significant number in pro hockey. And then there’s head coach Manny Malhotra, who also has Punjabi roots. Plus, their assistant coach is South Asian Punjabi, and their equipment manager, Jaskon Thaliwal, is the first turbaned Sikh equipment manager in either the NHL or AHL. That’s a huge milestone!

It got me thinking about a debate I had recently about which region produces more athletic talent: the East Coast or the West Coast. Someone was telling me that the West Coast is just way more athletically gifted, and I was pushing back, saying, ‘No way! I know so many people here involved in sports.’ But then they started dropping names. Jarrid Dhesi, RC Bane, Siri, and Manny Malhotra are all from the East Coast, specifically the Mississauga area. That’s like 3 to 1, East to West!

I was still skeptical. I tried to explain that ball hockey is practically a religion here on the East Coast. Growing up, all I saw was people playing ball hockey, taking over the tennis courts. The SBHL (Street Ball Hockey League) was huge, and it was predominantly Punjabi. Plus, a team from the East Coast just won this big ball hockey tournament in Calgary. So, I was convinced there’s no way the West Coast is better.

But then I started talking to more people, and they were like, ‘No, man, seriously, the West Coast has some serious talent. We’re sleeping on it because we have a regional bias.’ They were saying that West Coast guys are good at basketball, everything. We have our gems out here who make it big, but the West Coast is a force to be reckoned with.

So, I’m throwing the question out to you: which area do you think is more athletically dominant, the East Coast or the West Coast? Specifically, when we’re talking about Punjabi youth? I love the West Coast, don’t get me wrong. But I still think that, at least for basketball and soccer, the East Coast takes the cake, right? Hockey, I might concede that the West has an edge, although BC always surprises me. I would’ve thought Ontario, with its longer, colder winters, or maybe Calgary, would produce more hockey talent, but maybe I’m wrong. Let me know what you think. Am I missing something? But yeah, I’m putting my money on the East Coast for soccer and basketball. What do you guys think?

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updated_at 31-07-2025
Ai Disclosure: The above posts were transcribed using AI tools. Some language may not have been accurately transcribed.
Ai Header Image Prompt: High quality, highly detailed abstract digital art illustration. The image should dynamically represent two distinct yet interconnected energetic flows or zones, conceptualizing the 'East Coast' and 'West Coast' of Canada in an athletic context. These zones are characterized by vibrant, glowing lines, fluid motion trails, and subtle, overlapping geometric shapes, all conveying a sense of intense competition and talent. Subtly integrated within these abstract forms are conceptual representations of sports elements: a blurred hockey stick and puck, a swirling basketball, and a dynamic soccer ball, all rendered with a futuristic, almost light-based aesthetic, ensuring no discernible human figures or limbs are present. The color palette should lean towards rich, deep jewel tones (maroons, golds, deep blues, emerald greens), subtly evoking Punjabi cultural aesthetics without being overt. A central, unifying element could be a stylized, abstract swirl or luminous core, hinting at shared athletic prowess and the ongoing debate. The overall composition should be fluid and dynamic, suggesting a question or a powerful exchange rather than a static outcome, with a slightly textured, non-AI generated feel. Emphasize light and shadow play to create depth and visual interest, making it appear as a high-concept, contemporary digital artwork.