I wish I had more opportunities to play for Canada when I was younger, but pros just never had the chance in those days. It was just set up that way.

The quote "I wish I had more opportunities to play for Canada when I was younger, but pros just never had the chance in those days. It was just set up that way" by Gordie Howe reflects his regret and reflection on the limitations of his career during the earlier years of professional hockey. Howe, one of the most iconic figures in hockey history, expresses a desire to have represented Canada more frequently in international competitions, such as the Olympics or World Championships, but notes that during his time, professional players were often not allowed to compete in these events. This was due to the way professional and amateur hockey were structured in those days.

Gordie Howe, often called "Mr. Hockey," is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of NHL and international hockey. This quote likely refers to the period before the 1970s, when professional players were typically not allowed to compete in international competitions like the Olympics, due to the rules that separated amateur and professional athletes. During his prime, Howe's focus was primarily on playing for his NHL team, the Detroit Red Wings, rather than representing his country on the international stage.

The phrase "pros just never had the chance" highlights the restrictive nature of the rules during Howe's playing days, where professional hockey players were not permitted to participate in global tournaments that could have provided them with more opportunities to play for their country. Howe expresses a sense of missed opportunity, as his career didn’t allow him to showcase his talents on the world stage as an international player.

Ultimately, Howe’s words reflect both nostalgia and regret over the way the system was set up during his time. Despite being one of the greatest players ever, he was limited by the structure of professional and amateur hockey, and his longing to play for Canada more is a reminder of how far the sport has evolved in terms of allowing professional athletes to participate in international events.