Final answer:
Ice hockey is the sport with the greatest number of registered players in Canada due to the country's colder climate and the sport's cultural significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sport with the greatest number of registered players in Canada is not basketball or soccer, but rather ice hockey. Climate plays a significant role in the popularity of certain sports, and ice hockey is particularly favored in Canada's colder climate. Indoor facilities have made the sport accessible in warmer regions, but Canada's long-standing tradition of ice hockey, coupled with the climate, keeps its player registration numbers high.
While soccer is rapidly increasing in popularity in places like the United States, ice hockey remains an integral part of Canadian culture and has a deep-rooted fan base.
Fandom and regional preferences also affect which sports dominate; in Canada, ice hockey is an entrenched part of the national identity, further solidifying its popularity and player participation.