Fun facts about the Atlantic Provinces

Canada 1985 World Cup qualifier Newfoundland

In honour of the 'Caps new partnership with Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, we present a few fun facts about the trio of Atlantic Provinces.


NOVA SCOTIA

  • The province is home to just shy of one million people, approximately 942,926 according to Google
  • Made up of the mainland and Cape Breton Island
  • The capital city is Halifax, with a population of approximately 390,095
  • Of the province's total population, approximately 25,000 are registered soccer players with Soccer Nova Scotia
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/i/caffeine/syndicate/?mediaId=2675404464"></a>
<strong>The famous 1986&nbsp;World Cup qualifying clincher at King George V Park in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador</strong>

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

  • Estimated population of 526,977
  • Made up of Newfoundland (island) and Labrador (mainland). Approximately 26,728 people live in Labrador. The province also features thousands of small islands
  • Capital city of St. John's is home to approximately 100,645
  • The total number of members registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association is around 12,000


PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

  • Approximate population of 146,283
  • An estimated 34,562 live in the capital city of Charlottetown
  • Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada. No place on the island is more than 16 km from the sea
  • The PEI Soccer Association has approximately 6,000 members
Fun facts about the Atlantic Provinces -

SOCCER SUCCESS

  • King George V Park in St. John's, Newfoundland hosted one of the proudest moments in Canadian soccer history when more than 13,000 people came to watch Canada's men's national team defeat Honduras 2-1 to on September 14, 1985 to qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico (celebration photo at top)
  • Former Canadian men's national team defender Ante Jazić hails from Bedford, Nova Scotia. Jazić made 36 appearances for Canada, scoring one goal. He played professionally for 15 years, including stops in Croatia, Austria, and Russia. He played his final six years in MLS with LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. Today he is coach of Canada's U-15 men's national team
  • Current pro soccer player Mozzi Gyorio (photo above) grew up in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. Gyorio currently plays for Ottawa Fury FC in the NASL, who the 'Caps play in the upcoming Amway Canadian Championship semifinals. The 26-year-old was also a member of Canada's U-20 national team in 2008-2009. Last year, Gyorio was named to the final USL Team of the Week for 2015 when he helped Austin Aztex come back for a 3-2 win over WFC2 at Thunderbird Stadium
Fun facts about the Atlantic Provinces -

HOCKEY HEROES

  • They may be some of the smallest provinces in the country, but all three have produced NHL stars and Stanley Cup winners in recent years
  • Nova Scotia is home to Sidney Crosby, currently going for his second Stanley Cup title with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Also from Nova Scotia is Brad Marchand who won the Stanley Cup in 2011 with Boston Bruins (can't remember who they beat). A third local star is 20-year-old Nathan MacKinnon who just finished his third NHL season with Colorado Avalanche
  • Newfoundland and Labrador had their first Stanley Cup winner in 2008 when Dan Cleary lifted it with Detroit Red Wings. Michael Ryder followed in 2011 with Boston Bruins
  • PEI are not left out when it comes to NHL stars. Brad Richards lifted hockey's holy grail in 2004 with Tampa Bay Lighting and took home the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. Richards then won his second Stanley Cup in 2015 with Chicago Blackhawks