By now, especially if you read this blog, you’ve probably heard about the Kitchener Rangers v. The Michigan Daily lawsuit that appears to be on the brink of being heard in court. So you might be wondering why or how it matters in the big picture.
One of the key matters at hand is the ongoing recruiting battle that pits teams in the Canadian Hockey League against schools in American college hockey. It has become an increasingly ugly affair between two of the most prominent developmental routes to the National Hockey League.
One considers itself the “fastest route” to the NHL, while the other feels it provides players with more well-rounded development from both a hockey and personal standpoint. While there are benefits and downsides to both routes, neither can definitively call itself “The Best Way to the NHL.”
In the world of player development, there are so many factors at play that make up how a player reaches his full potential. While each developmental path can provide the tools to a player to make it to hockey’s pinnacle, it’s essentially on the player to either make it or not.
There isn’t a coach in the world that is good enough to put every player he comes across into the NHL. It’s just not possible. If a player has the tools and the upside, he either finds a way to the pros or he doesn’t. In many cases, the player would or would’t have made it no matter which route he chose.
However, the recruiting battle has almost nothing to do with player development and everything to do with wins and money.
The United States of Hockey 