I took the Hockeysbest post as needling, maybe with a little venting tossed in. Not a serious claim.
But if I misread Hockeysbest and a serious claim was being made, here's my answer:
Stockpiling has been an issue in other sports over the years. Lower scholarship limits have largely addressed it. But there is something a little ugly about painting an unreasonably optimistic picture for a too-large group of recruits, knowing all along that a good number will never participate in a competition. For some, being on the taxi squad and sitting on the bench during games was reward enough. If so, more power to 'em. But in the worst cases, the "practice dummies" didn't even get to suit up.
One of the nice things about college hockey is that's not really part of our story. If you suit up, you play. Being on the 3rd or 4th line is an honor, not some sort of insult.
OK, the back-up goalies don't hit the ice, but normally there's some rotation from game to game. And yes, a few extra players beyond 21 are needed in the event of injuries or departures. But in general those players eventually get an opportunity to be in the line-up. And in the circumstances when that doesn't occur, most often the player was a recruited walk-on who knew the deal up front.
If anything, hockey could use additional scholarship dollars to fully fund the playing positions. Even if we aren't as enlightened as I imagine, the money just isn't there to stockpile.
Correct. Stockpiling is a non-issue for Women's Hockey.
