Men’s Hockey: College vs. Major Juniors
The depth of Canadian talent is definitely still deeper than American talent. But in international competition, the USA is no longer intimidated by Canada, as our top team can match Canada’s top team. At the 2014 Olympics, Canada played better strategically, emphasizing defense. They shut out the USA and Sweden in their last two games.
The USA has caught up to Canada at the highest levels of international play. The USA’s expectations were so high that they became frustrated and gave up after the first goal in the bronze medal game, losing to Finland, 5-0. Gold or nothing seemed to be the mentality the USA had. Had the USA beaten Canada in the semifinals, we would definitely have been favorites to beat Sweden for the gold medal. Patrick Kane couldn’t even convert either of two penalty shots against Finland. Sadly, this may be the last time NHL-caliber players are used in the Olympics for who knows how long.
The major juniors of Canada have dominated the employment in the NHL for so long but the USA’s rise as a hockey power signals a shift as to where elite level hockey talent is being developed. 83.3% of the USA’s players played in the NCAA. Here’s a list of the backgrounds of all players for the USA. USA Hockey doesn’t even list major junior teams under players’ biographies. Colleges only. Major junior teams are included in this list.
Jimmy Howard G Maine (HE)
Ryan Miller G Michigan State (BT)
Jonathan Quick G Massachusetts (HE)
John Carlson D London Knights (OHL)
Justin Faulk D Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
Cam Fowler D Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Paul Martin D Minnesota (BT)
Ryan McDonagh D Wisconsin (BT)
Brooks Oprik D Boston College (HE)
Kevin Shattenkirk D Boston University (HE)
Ryan Suter D Wisconsin (BT)
David Backes F Minnesota State, Mankato (WCHA)
Dustin Brown F Guelph Storm (OHL)
Ryan Callahan F Guelph Storm (OHL)
Patrick Kane F London Knights (OHL)
Ryan Kessler F Ohio State (BT)
Phil Kessel F Minnesota (BT)
TJ Oshie F North Dakota (NCHC)
Max Pacioretty F Michigan (BT)
Zach Parise F North Dakota (NCHC)
Joe Pavelski F Wisconsin (BT)
Paul Stastny F Denver (NCHC)
Derek Stepan F Wisconsin (BT)
James van Riemsdyk F New Hampshire (HE)
Blake Wheeler F Minnesota (BT)
8 players from Minnesota, 6 from NY, 3 from Michigan, 3 from Wisconsin, 2 from NJ, 2 from Connecticut, and 1 from Missouri. The one from Missouri was born there because his father was a Czech international playing for the St. Louis Blues. New York has emerged as a powerhouse hockey state. Zero players from any other New England state.
The franchise movement and expansion of the NHL, as well as Wayne Gretzky, did contribute to an explosion of membership in USA Hockey. Between 1990-91 and 2009-10, USA Hockey went from 195,125 members to 474,592, an increase of 143.22%. Membership in what was NHL markets at times during that span grew as follows:
Arizona – 179.2%, 3,339 in 2009-10.
California – 322.4%, 20,404 in 2009-10.
Colorado – 248.6%, 13,437 in 2009-10.
Florida – 804.7%, 10,856 in 2009-10.
Georgia – 478.9%, 2,142 in 2009-10.
Illinois – 155.2%, 24,018 in 2009-10.
Maryland – 275.5%, 7,326 in 2009-10.
Massachusetts – 67.7%, 43,445 in 2009-10.
Michigan – 109%, 51,404 in 2009-10.
Minnesota – 63.7%, 53,450 in 2009-10.
Missouri – 86.1%, 6,295 in 2009-10.
North Carolina – 502.6%, 5,598 in 2009-10.
New Jersey – 148.6%, 16,041 in 2009-10.
New York – 110.8%, 46,389 in 2009-10.
Ohio – 215.2%, 13,579 in 2009-10.
Pennsylvania – 164.4%, 27,549 in 2009-10.
Tennessee – 264.6%, 2,430 in 2009-10.
Texas – 1,156.8%, 10,909 in 2009-10.
Virginia – 397%, 7,251 in 2009-10.
Washington, DC – 196.8%, 742 in 2009-10.
It certainly can be expected more Olympic talent will be born in warmer climate states than the past.
Former college forwards Jonathan Toews (North Dakota), Chris Kunitz (Ferris State), Patrick Sharp (Vermont), Martin St. Louis (Vermont), and defenseman Duncan Keith (Michigan State) represented Canada.
Carl Hagelin, a former Michigan forward, was a member of Sweden’s silver medal-winning squad.
Comparing college hockey and the major juniors will become an even more interesting debate going forward. NHLers who played in college say that college is more intense than the NHL and their college days are still their best days, like most college students. A recent NCAA study showed that 88% of men’s hockey players earn their degree. Published reports have shown that fewer than 20% of major junior players go on to earn their degrees.
College hockey is now viewed as just as valuable a developmental means as Canadian major junior hockey for professional hockey.
“That debate’s always going to be there,” said Ron Wilson, longtime USA Hockey and NHL head coach and a former player at Providence College. “I think the chances of playing in the NHL are just as great playing college hockey as they are playing junior.”
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