List Of Canadian Recruits Getting Shorter ....

[Cnuck Mom]

It seems like fewer and fewer Canadians are being recruited to the States. Is this a sign of things to come? Has the talent in the States risen to the point that scouts no longer need to search up north? :confused:

[Cozmo Timothy]

It seems like fewer and fewer Canadians are being recruited to the States. Is this a sign of things to come? Has the talent in the States risen to the point that scouts no longer need to search up north? :confused:

As always, the top flight players will always be recruited. However, the talent level of solid players has risen in the US. That said, what may be the main reason is the push to keep Canadian gals playing in Canadian universities.

[fan for life]

It has been mentioned before, this year was supposed to be a great year because of the high number of quality American players. The number of Canadian players in last few years probably peaked because of the effect of Ontario's abolition of Grade 13.

Quality Canadian players can be found coast to coast to coast. In 2002 half of the female players in Calgary were playing on co-ed(male) teams. Compared to American players, who for the most part are found in only a few states, it is easier to scout and recruit Americans.(at least those in the hockey wild states) than Canadians.

I think that CIS hockey is improving and recruiting more than in the past so quality Canadian players maybe opting for home resulting in fewer available for the USA.

[brookyone]

No kidding ? If so, this is a phenomenom I haven't noticed myself. Would this be the consensus or general observation or are there verifiable numbers ? I haven't noticed an obvious change within WCHA recruiting anyway. It would come as a surprise to me if there was a drop anytime soon.

[Cargo]

Canadian recruiting is alive and well. Look no further than the stats of the freshman this season to attest to the skill level. Two W’s oosters, Ross, Schmidt, Fast, Craig, Vaillancourt, and many more that are in the upper ¼ in team points. There are still approximately 9 players from West Canada that are to be announced to D1.

[coolsports]

I think the real question is are the US kids getting upset at losing all of those D1 (money) spots.

I know there are hard feelings on both sides of this issue. I'm not sure where I come down on this but I do know from talking to both parents and students on both sides of the border that this is an issue.

It would be interesting to look at some of the squads out there. Check out Dartmouth, 50% (0 players) of the squad is Canadian. When you factor in the number that must leave in mid season to play for their country (the right thing to do), I wonder how the other players and or university feel.

It raises a number of interesting issues.

[Cnuck Mom]

I agree that right now there are many Canadians on American rosters, however, look at the list for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 and the there are fewer and fewer Canadians on that list. That says a lost about the quality of American players. There are some great prep schools (Pommefret, Naha etc.) that are turning out some high calibre players.

[Tin Cup]

The answers are many and varied but the most prevailent is that yes the US is taking care of their own, which they should do. But don't forget that no matter what. A gifted hockey player and student will be able to write their own ticket. All that is happening is that the number of Canadian players is shrinking proportionately to the number of spots that they were in fact taking in years gone by. It makes perfect sense to utilize a player from your own backyard who may a be a second to third line player and develop your own than go beyond your borders to bring the same type of player from another country.

This also helps the Canadian Universities and will make the CIAU game stronger as the years go by. The borders won't close and scholarships won't be gone. The girls game is developing and is thriving. It is sometimes moving too fast and it takes time and sometimes stepping back to reassess the landscape is a good idea.

[Anonymous1980]

Canadian recruiting is alive and well. Look no further than the stats of the freshman this season to attest to the skill level. Two W’s oosters, Ross, Schmidt, Fast, Craig, Vaillancourt, and many more that are in the upper ¼ in team points. There are still approximately 9 players from West Canada that are to be announced to D1.
Not to forget Riggs from Niagara

[sk8happy]

Some interesting points and discussion of the Canadian versus US recruiting pools. I think you'd be surprised to know that most college coaches don't care where the talent comes from; they just want talented good players.
In the case of Canadians, it really isn't about college coaches choosing to develop their own here in the US; rather it's about $$$$. Recruiting budgets at some schools are limited thus their staffs tend to stay stateside rather than travel up into Canada - that alone can limit a schools options. Second and probably just as important, many schools don't have a full compliment of scholarships and with scholarship money at a premium- US talent is more attractive. US kids and their families will pay. Canadian families tend to be intimidated by the US $ and are far less accustomed to paying much in the way of money to send their kids to college. Many state universities don't allow Canadians do apply for financial aid, again limiting the ability to attract Canadian players without a full ride.

Money is the primary reason you're seeing the shift mentioned above. Their is plenty of talent north of the border.. it's having the ability to scout it; attract it; and pay for it to come south that ultimately limits the numbers coming to US colleges. In most cases it's cheaper for a Canadian family to send their daughter to say the Univ of Alberta than to come to most US colleges on a partial scholarship. Money, as always, is what governs how many Canadians you're seeing heading south.

[coolsports]

The budgets might be tight but I don't think that holds for say the top 10 teams. I think these schools have made the comitment to the programs as it is reflected in their play.

I think the question is not the top, say top 10 players in any given class. Since these tend to be national players. The real question center's on the second teir players. It is these players that are looking for "the ride". And it is these players that can go either DI or DIII. Many of these players are not at DI because of the numbers. From a US stand point is it because of the Canadian girls? And from the Canadian point of view is it because of a shifting against girls from the north? As the competiting for these spots continues to heat up I think you may start to see a backlash from the state funded universities in the future.

[EdSasha]

I think sk8happy hit the nail on the head; scouts don't care where the players come from. Rather than a backlash, there will instead be the continual rise and fall in level of resentment felt south of the border, rightly or wrongly, against Canadian women who take spots away from American women, which in any case will be incidental to the increasing number of spots taken by Americans. In other words, Americans will continue to fill more spots as their development programs continue to improve rather than because of any specific bias against Canadians.

For what it's worth, the prevalent view amongst Canadian mums and dads who have to pay for their daughters' education is this: can we get an education for our daughter south of the border that is equal to or better than that which a Canadian university would provide, and at a cost which is less than or, at least, equal to that which we would be expected to pay at a Canadian university? Hockey, along with other sports, provides that opportunity. Admittedly, for some, the opportunity to continue to play hockey more or less for free is more important than the opportunity of getting a first rate education.

Also for what it's worth, the top Canadian players will probably have to face the dilemma again that has already faced some: when a hockey conflict arises, whether or not it's deliberately or thoughtlessly inflicted by Hockey Canada, do they choose their school or their country? Drifting off topic here, I know, but just to say that it was refreshing to read about Harvard's Nicole Corriero and her attitude to that subject mentioned in another thread. It's not often that you'll find a top player smart enough to put the whole thing in perspective and make what I felt was the right and honourable decision. Not to mention helping to quell the fires of resentment in the process.

[coolsports]

I agree, probably the biggest issue in the future will be the conflict between playing for your country or your school. I guess my position is that there is a quid pro quo. If you take the education (money) then you need to stay at the school even at the expense of the national team. If you feel so strongly about playing for national program, and you know in advance that there will be conflicts, then you need to be honest with yourself and university. IMHO what happen to Darmouth had as much to do with players going back for the national program then anything else.

[Atlantic Puck]

Don't be fooled; it is a calculated move by Hockey Canada for CIS teams to use as a recruiting tool. Maybe HC should focus their efforts on achieving equality of funding in each CIS female hockey program funding versus male counterparts on a school by school basis. They could even put their money where their mouth is and provide some investment in the CIS system.
Take a look at the Cdn U22 team only 5 play in Canada and 2 of those (Chartier and Gagnon) are going south next year.

[coolsports]

Don't be fooled; it is a calculated move by Hockey Canada for CIS teams to use as a recruiting tool. Maybe HC should focus their efforts on achieving equality of funding in each CIS female hockey program funding versus male counterparts on a school by school basis. They could even put their money where their mouth is and provide some investment in the CIS system.
Take a look at the Cdn U22 team only 5 play in Canada and 2 of those (Chartier and Gagnon) are going south next year.

If that is truly the case then the US schools should wise up. If the kids want the "ride" (money) and a great education then force the choice. If you go to a US school you "must" play all games or you lose your ride. That simple. You should not have it both ways.

[Blues78]

If that is truly the case then the US schools should wise up. If the kids want the "ride" (money) and a great education then force the choice. If you go to a US school you "must" play all games or you lose your ride. That simple. You should not have it both ways.


Then it has to be that way for the American girls as well.

[coolsports]

Then it has to be that way for the American girls as well.

Help me out. I don't know of any top US girls going north for a free education and then leaving the school team to play for the national team. Am I missing something?

[siouxperberg]

Then it has to be that way for the American girls as well.
Well, come on...you can't make the Canadian girls sit out National tournaments and let the American girls participate.

[coolsports]

That's not what I'm saying. If a Canadian girl wants to play for her country then she needs to think about what that means in realtionship to the school scholarship offer. If the Canadian national program continues to run their camps during the school season then there is a problem. And there is the choice.

What do you think would happen if all US schools mandate a comitment to their program and if you miss a game you lose your scholarship. The way I see it the Canadian program get's it both ways right now.

And, IMHO all girs should play for their national team.

[Cargo]

I don’t think this is a realistic issue with most Canadian girls. Take a look at the age of the players on the Canadian team the next crop of players could easily get a university degree, marry, start a family :p and then look to the National team.