It probably wasn't the worst decision for Schmitz. College hockey isn't for everybody, and it's nice that there is another route out there for players to choose.
Also, this was my favorite part of the press release on Schmitz:
"Ironically, the Whalers are preparing for Saturday’s OHL Draft, held this Saturday starting at 9 a.m. The Draft"Ok, then. I hope it doesn't rain on their draft day. Because that would be like double irony.
15 comments:
that would make 3 D1 potential players from the states on defence for the Whalers. Bemis, Steingraber, and Schmitz all D1 prospects from local minor hockey programs.
The first of how many NTDP players to bolt?
I would guess 5 in total.
which do you think?
Who cares about this. There are loads of kids to take their spots.
Only BS was a legit NTDPer and he quit cuzz of sitting out a year for college coming up. The other 2
were not NTDP quality.
face it, you play for your Country and the Coaches, not for yourself.
Don't let the door swing to hard and send you farther into Cananda.
Lot of rumors and internet chats are claiming that Morin has already signed with Kitchener and Fowler is set to do so as well.
How many NTDP alums have defected to the CHL over the years? Is it time to maybe scrap the program?
Krupp will be next, then Shore.
Maybe it isn't the players, maybe it is the coaches
As a former opponent of Beau Schmitz, I am very sad to hear that he has left for the OHL. However, I do believe that this is the right decision because he will not academically clear for the NCAA. I just don't know if he has that type of drive to do better in his academics. Schmitz is a great player and I think that playing against older guys in the OHL will help increase his chances of making it as a serviceable NHL player one day. He is not that big, but he makes up for it with his strength, will, skill, and speed. The guy has it all and other than his lack of height he really is a fundamentally sound hockey player. So best of luck to him and I hope he does well in Plymouth because he really is one hell of a hockey player.
It's easy to be negative. The NTDP has been extremely productive producing top end talent and will continue to do so. Perhaps Beau had no desire to play college hockey. If that's the case, it's hard to blame him. That doesn't make the NTDP a bad thing. Patrick Kane and Peter Mueller both went from the NTDP to the CHL and now are young NHL stars.
I think a big hope for the NTDP was to develop strong national teams. Going to the OHL or any major junior, or to the NHL, like Johnson considered a couple of years ago, isn't a negative for that goal.
Jet Morin is next...
Only one player to the combine???The NTDP is suppose to be a development program. I am sure in the beginning that is what it was. The problem seems to be the players, parents, most of the college coaches, and scouts realize that it is not really about the development of the boys, it is about the coaches reputations and winning not developing. What has been forgotten is that if you truly develop all ....everyone wins! Lots of exits...will be more and less committing. But, the NTDP absolutely has the best physical program in the world (off ice physical training). The concept is right but now the NTDP program seems to need some changes and get back to the orginal plan. It would be a real shame to have a program like this go down hill.
LETS JUST SAY THE OTHER 100 PLAYERS AT THE COMBINE WILL BE HAPPY THERE IS ONLY 1 NTDP PLAYER THERE
the goal of the ntdp (@17 level) is not necessarily winning; it's to toughen them up against older, stronger players (in nahl); for league games, every one plays the first year even though some are showcased more than others. This year, they featured morin, fowler and schmitz way more than other players (in terms of power play and first line designations). Like Morin, Bourque and Palmieri; Schmitz and Fowler got their opportunity with the u18s. Perhaps the 18s were weaker at offense (so they needed Morin, Bourque and Palmieri more) or perhaps Schmitz wasn't prepared to be the stay at home d-man that the 18 coach wanted. No situation is going to be perfect; you cannot quit every time things don't go your way. Yes, there will be more defections, but it's not a reflection of the program; it's a reflection of the "it's all about me' attitude that many our elite athletes (young and old) seem to have; a situation only worsened by agents advising minors to break team binding commitments. Keep up the good work in Ann Arbor.
The "everyone plays" the first year at NTDP is simply not true and has not been for a number of years. Especially with Hynes, Hynes is all about winning. To leave after one year is not quitting if it becomes obvious that you are not in their plans. At this point in their development a player cannot afford to waste a year sitting on the bench
Post a Comment