My family was never big on pancakes, but one does not drown them in maple syrup, just enough to add maple sugary goodness. I reserve my drowning for my dad's amazing French toast. mmmm.
Also oatmeal raisin cookies with maple sugar? DELICIOUS.
In my experience most of my American friends don't use maple syrup, instead using "breakfast syrup" or whatever it's called. I'm Canadian, so using anything but maple syrup is weird and WRONG.