Hockey in Canada has been this way for several decades. It requires at least a middle class income. Between equipment, fees, and travel, such families are sacrificing a lot. But this sport is out of reach for lower middle class families.

If a professional sports career is the goal of the family, then getting to as many playing opportunities as possible builds the skills for the next step on the career ladder. I suspect the parents are looking more at this angle than the scouting. You won't go pro with 15 games a year.

A few years back, I took my family to West Edmonton Mall for a little summer vacation. There was a hockey tournament on. I watched a bit. One team was from Detroit, probably wealthy families.

Counter intuitively, more African Americans are in the NHL than before.