Re: NCAA Rule Changes to Slow Recruiting
One problem that I don't think gets adequately discussed with proposals like this is how the current rules really do benefit college hockey in general.
First, the players are more developed and more talented, so the game should be better.
But second, and more importantly, the current rules allow a program to develop from one that needs to rely upon the 20 or 21 year old freshmen to compete into a program that can attract the 18 year old freshmen blue chip recruits. The program that I follow, North Dakota, is a prime example of that.
There is no question that currently North Dakota's program is capable of attracting the highest level of recruit to college hockey, kids that will be first round NHL draft picks. But that wasn't always the case. In fact, in the 1950's and 60's, as the program was growing and developing, North Dakota was frequently lumped in with Denver or similar programs as ones relying upon "overaged" Canadians to fill out their programs and compete. That was true. North Dakota is not in the middle of prime hockey recruiting ground, and without a history they needed to bring in older kids from Canada. But, by doing so and building the program, they can now attract kids who are top flight talent even at 18 or 19.
I can see other programs doing that as well. We've seen non-traditional programs like Quinnipiac, UMass-Lowell, etc..., maybe rely upon some older recruits as their programs has been building, but may start attracting first round draft pick caliber kids as their program develops a stronger winning tradition.
One problem that I don't think gets adequately discussed with proposals like this is how the current rules really do benefit college hockey in general.
First, the players are more developed and more talented, so the game should be better.
But second, and more importantly, the current rules allow a program to develop from one that needs to rely upon the 20 or 21 year old freshmen to compete into a program that can attract the 18 year old freshmen blue chip recruits. The program that I follow, North Dakota, is a prime example of that.
There is no question that currently North Dakota's program is capable of attracting the highest level of recruit to college hockey, kids that will be first round NHL draft picks. But that wasn't always the case. In fact, in the 1950's and 60's, as the program was growing and developing, North Dakota was frequently lumped in with Denver or similar programs as ones relying upon "overaged" Canadians to fill out their programs and compete. That was true. North Dakota is not in the middle of prime hockey recruiting ground, and without a history they needed to bring in older kids from Canada. But, by doing so and building the program, they can now attract kids who are top flight talent even at 18 or 19.
I can see other programs doing that as well. We've seen non-traditional programs like Quinnipiac, UMass-Lowell, etc..., maybe rely upon some older recruits as their programs has been building, but may start attracting first round draft pick caliber kids as their program develops a stronger winning tradition.
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