Two-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick did it and so did Canada alternate captain Jonathan Toews. Of the 23 men included on Team USA’s 2014 Olympic roster, 20 members cut their teeth there.
Two of this summer’s most coveted unrestricted free agents, Matt Niskanen and Thomas Vanek, played it once. The Calgary Flames’ top draft pick “Johnny Hockey” Gaudreau also called it home, and Jack Eichel, one of the top prospects in the world, plans to play there this season.
What exactly is this connective tissue that weaves such a star-studded cast together, you ask?
USA college hockey.
Once seen as an “also ran” when compared to other NHL feeder systems (the CHL and Europe to be specific), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hockey, whose season starts up this month, is becoming a premier destination for young hockey talent and one of the largest pipelines directly to the pro ranks.
According to College Hockey Inc., a record 305-college alum played in the NHL during the 2013-14 season – equating to 31% of league personnel. That’s 11% more former NCAA players in the NHL compared to the year 2000.
The recently held 2014 NHL Entry Draft featured 65 U.S. born players, the most since 1991 (67), of which 47 are currently playing NCAA Hockey or are committed to play at a college or university in the future.
In fact, College Hockey Inc. reports that NHL Drafts have featured at least 60 current or future college players for 13 years consecutively
While the draft is critical to the stocking and re-stocking of NHL talent, it’s not the only foray into the league for collegiate players.
NHL general managers have made signing college free agents a growing trend that yields almost instantaneous results. In 2012, 84 of the 301 NCAA alumni were free agent signings upon completion of their four or five years on campus.
Michigan State’s Torey Krug, passed over time-and-time-again because of his size, signed with the Boston Bruins after a successful career in East Lansing, Michigan from 2009-2012.
Playing with something to prove after being undrafted, Krug was named the 2012 CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) player of the year and challenged for the Hobey Baker Award (college hockey’s most prestigious award) as a finalist that season.
Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli picked him up and watched his diminutive signing inject speed, energy and goal scoring to a depleted Bruins blue-line that playoff year.
Krug scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL playoff game against the New York Rangers (and Henrik Lundqvist to boot) in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Krug tallied another in Game 2, ultimately scoring four goals in his first five playoff games – the only rookie defenceman in NHL history to accomplish that feat.
Not bad for a 5’9” undrafted, American defenceman.
The list of high-impact NCAA free agents extends for miles, including the likes of Martin St. Louis (Vermont), Dan Boyle (Miami), Chris Kunitz (Ferris State) and Ben Scrivens (Cornell) – proving that an organization’s ability to not only draft college talent but also scout undrafted talent is vital to producing a competitive NHL roster.
You’d think the 1980 Miracle on Ice Team, wholly constructed of collegiate players, would have changed the scouting and playing landscape for prospects.Yet, the “soft” stereotype hanging over the collegiate player persisted for almost another 20 years.
The Hockey News lead prospect writer, Ryan Kennedy says, “Long gone are the notions that NCAA hockey is soft and unable to develop top-end talent.”
“Amongst present day general managers, scouts and coaches, the perception is very positive. It’s a great incubator for prospects who need to bulk up and develop on a slower timeline.”
Many of those coaches and general managers are USA Hockey-affiliated, presenting a quid-pro-quo relationship between the national governing body and collegiate hockey.
By example, Team USA’s 2014 Olympic leadership team consisting of David Poile (Northeastern), Ray Shero (St. Lawrence), Brian Burke (Providence) and Jim Johannson (Wisconsin) each played college hockey, while playing influential roles in NHL player development.
It must also be noted that the rise in popularity has resulted in more funding, better facilities and more aggressive recruiting methods – making college hockey much more appealing for a young player surveying his prospects.
Many programs can also offer full scholarships – relieving much of the financial burden related with a college education.
Kennedy says the focus on conditioning is a major plus for many organizations as they develop talent.
“If the prospect is raw and needs to bulk up, college weight rooms and light schedules are great for that,” he emphasized. “Plus you have the player’s rights until they leave school, which could be four years.”
Additionally, the college environment is the right choice for a young man who is not ready to commit to the CHL (Canadian Major Junior Hockey League) when he’s just 15 or 16 years old. The NCAA allows for an additional two years of development and maturation time.
The bonus of walking away from your four years with a college degree and real NHL prospects doesn’t hurt either.
Back to Jack Eichel – his thought process is a perfect example of the ever-increasing desire for younger players to grow through collegiate hockey.
The 6’1” center from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts stared in the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, earning a gold medal with Team USA as the country’s top scorer at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship.
With virtually unlimited offers to play hockey in any league, anywhere following the program, Eichel is set to hit Boston University’s campus to play for the five-time national champion Terriers this season.
When asked why Boston University over the CHL or another league, Eichel said, “I thought that the best thing for me was to play against bigger, older and stronger competition and college would better prepare me for the next level.”
“There’s also the aspect of being able to play in (the Hockey East Association) and live 30 minutes from home along with creating great relationships with the guys on the team, have a social life and get an education,” added Eichel.
While the numbers and opinions point to college hockey’s ever-soaring trajectory, there remains room for growth.
Kennedy says, “I think we’ll see instances where non-Americans will begin to choose college hockey over the alternative.”
“But, it’s not widespread since in Europe, teenagers can play against men and get paid, while major junior gets its teeth in early and can also offer scholarships and an NHL-type schedule.”
The recruiting battle for young talent will continue, but it’s safe to say that college hockey presents a very compelling argument that the best in the world are open to receive.
Ryan O’Leary
