Does anyone know the minimum number of games for a player before she loses a year of eligibility? I know a medical redshirt to add a year is permitted as long as certain criteria are satisfied, but my recollection is playing in a small number of games also is allowed without the cost of year. But I may be extending the change in the rules for football without cause. I ask because the top OSU goalie, Braendli, played 12 games (including in Madison at the start of WCHA play) before joining the Swiss National team at the Olympics. Whatever the number is, 12 games certainly exceed it unless the NCAA suddenly has become more generous than I could ever imagine.
That she has done this raises the possibility that she may rejoin OSU for the remainder of its season thereby improving its chances through the playoffs. I suppose it would be possible for her to have managed a return flight to Columbus to play this weekend but remaining with the team until after the Olympic closing ceremony would not be surprising. She is an outstanding goalie and waiting until then would not be detrimental to OSU’s chances in the WCHA playoffs or the NCAA. I hope she stays in Beijing for the closing ceremony. This weekend will be tough enough without her presence.
I also am curious about the discussion between her and the OSU head coach that led to the decision to play her. I think she retains the extra Covid year of eligibility, and she will return next year. Still, the choice is so different than the path followed by the Badgers who went to the USA Olympic tryouts. One factor may have been relative opportunities for quality playing time before the Olympics. The US had scheduled a series against Canada. A similar opportunity for the Swiss may not have been available, making the quality of WCHA play a substitute.
