tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post3056447354318679299..comments2023-09-27T07:48:02.772-05:00Comments on Western College Hockey: US Fifth at World JuniorsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-325372656725906832009-01-13T23:06:00.000-06:002009-01-13T23:06:00.000-06:00Only reason you guys win that bullshit under 18 to...Only reason you guys win that bullshit under 18 tournmanet in the spring is because Canada can't send it's best CHL's because they are still in post season.<BR/><BR/>Also under 17 challenge, past two gold medal winners team ontario, if there was a team Canada under 17 team, it would shit kick their american competitors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-1239631692776710192009-01-08T13:49:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:49:00.000-06:00There's no question the CHL is the best route to t...There's no question the CHL is the best route to the big show. That's not even debatable. <BR/><BR/>The USNTDP and NCAA players have proven to be a failure in these high pressure international tournaments. It's NOT the players--it's the systems. Team USA was incredibly talented but unprepared to compete at a high enough level.<BR/><BR/>I love NCAA hockey, but the fact is these college kids are not living up their potential in these tournaments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-41221813401322207212009-01-08T12:24:00.000-06:002009-01-08T12:24:00.000-06:00It's ultimately up to the players to decide if the...It's ultimately up to the players to decide if they want to pursue the USNTDP program. Once top end players start choosing the junior route(and it's begun) then either the program will make changes or will fail and disban. I believe the junior route prepares you quicker to play pro hockey, and thus in a U20 tournament those players playing, and getting quality ice time against better competition will obviously be further along.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-65394639907166607042009-01-07T13:54:00.000-06:002009-01-07T13:54:00.000-06:00Although many of the u20 players did come through ...Although many of the u20 players did come through the ntdp system, I'm not sure it's fair to base one's opinion of the ntdp on the outcome of a single game where the participants are 2 or more years removed from the program, if they played there at all. The current u18s have a strong showing in tournament play; last year, they did well @ u17 challenge (losing a close gold medal game with less than a full bench); then also took silver @ 5 nations (in a rigged loss to soviets where pp differential was 10-2); then won 4 nations this year. Anon @ 11:16 is closest in analysis of current ntdp, in that they tend to treat players projected as first (and second) round nhl picks as kings who keep favored status no matter how bad their plus/minus is; and the rest of the team has to fight for quality opportunities. Upcoming 5 nations (in Sweden) and especially Fargo will be real tests for them, but lets not write off ntdp model based on anything less than a gold. Other problem with current u18s is that coaches run more of a dump and chase (grinder) system when skill level and depth of talent favors more puck possession and movement. Kind of liking asking thoroughbreds to pull harnesses. Good coaches, in all sports, base their systems on their players, not the other way around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-25380386473813044912009-01-07T11:32:00.000-06:002009-01-07T11:32:00.000-06:00Forget about fixing the NTDP. There isn't enough d...Forget about fixing the NTDP. There isn't enough demand for it to begin with. Just piggy back off Canada's junior system if you really want to develop. Then again, if the sport is to succeed at the professional level, Canada needs the U$.<BR/><BR/>Finally someone with some sense! The top producing model for NHL players is in Canada. The US should copy that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-46744709491375076822009-01-07T11:21:00.000-06:002009-01-07T11:21:00.000-06:00"Why is it that the people screaming loudest about..."Why is it that the people screaming loudest about how not winning the gold is an absolute failure for the US, and the whole system needs to be torn down are the same people that talk about Canada being the greatest hockey nation in the world?" <BR/><BR/>In an earlier discussion/thread on this blog the poison politics of USA Hockey was repeatedly cited - why is the dead horse being beaten once again? <BR/><BR/>The chronic failure of USA Hockey to gather the best players for a short term tournament such as the WJC is the problem. <BR/><BR/>"I still don't see how the NTDP-bashing is valid in any way. This year's team took way more CHL players than in the past and look where it got them". <BR/><BR/>Point taken. However, the NTDP takes an inordinate amount of the USA Hockey resources in its continual attempt to find the next (insert Gretzky, Crosby or now Tavares) which is has failed to do. With as much money, training, etc. as is being provided to these kids they should bring home the Gold or at least be competitive with the elite teams. Not the case.<BR/><BR/>If USA Hockey was run like an actual business, these repeated failures would have resulted in management being ousted and new blood being brought in to right the ship. Not going to happen with the entrenched bureaucracy at USA Hockey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-5738557227236839012009-01-07T11:16:00.000-06:002009-01-07T11:16:00.000-06:00I think the US development program has failed in i...I think the US development program has failed in it's objectives. It doesn't "develop" it's players. It cherry picks the best players across the country, forms teams, and then simply cannot function in a team environment.The players are all first line guys who can't thrive in other roles. Canada can put 4 scoring lines together but choose players that can play PK,agitator,grinder styles so the skilled players can flourish. If the USNTDP wants to add all skill and no heart,they are forgetting what team concept is all about and don't understand the game of hockey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-33449927489527841152009-01-07T04:12:00.000-06:002009-01-07T04:12:00.000-06:00James.."Clearly he has the better pedigree than Un...James.."Clearly he has the better pedigree than Unice."<BR/><BR/>Unice backstopped an OHL team to the Memorial Cup final last year.Pedigree? <BR/>The problem is bad coaching and horrible player selection by the NTDP.For you guys who say the best athletes are playing BBall and football etc speak for your own state or region. Michigan, New York (upstate) and Minnesota have their BEST atletes choosing hockey over girls never mind another sport :). Maybe in Indiana,Texas and most urban areas this is true but have you ever wondered why that backwater Michigan travel team almost always kicks the crap out of your best New York city/Philadelphia team. Yes,they are better hockey players and better athletes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-60495954793771067992009-01-06T23:37:00.000-06:002009-01-06T23:37:00.000-06:00Fifth place is not good enough for the US Developm...Fifth place is not good enough for the US Developmental program, we could finish in fifth without it.<BR/><BR/>As i was watching the World Junior tournament i switched channels to the Ohio State vs Texas football game. How good of athlete is the freshman QB at Ohio State.<BR/><BR/>We are not competing against other countries but with other sports here in the US for the best athletes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-87957364477533700472009-01-06T23:19:00.000-06:002009-01-06T23:19:00.000-06:00The US needs to finish higher than fifth place for...The US needs to finish higher than fifth place for the US Developmental program to be considered a success. We can finish fifth without it.<BR/><BR/>The key to success for the US is defensemen and goaltending. You need 6 defensemen that can play and great goaltending.<BR/><BR/>It is interesting to watch the World Junior Hockey and then flip the channel to watch Texas play Ohio State in football and you see where all the great athletes in the US are. <BR/><BR/>How good is the freshman QB at Ohio State right out of High School.<BR/><BR/>The US is always battling the same problem; it is not the competition from other countries but competition from other sports here in the US for the best athletes.<BR/><BR/>Remember Canada was 5 seconds away from not getting a medal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-29700507769310331532009-01-06T18:58:00.000-06:002009-01-06T18:58:00.000-06:00what do u mean sore losers...did u watch any of th...what do u mean sore losers...did u watch any of the us games the u.s goalie was brutal and let in soft goals every game...if canadas goalie let as many soft goals as the u.s. they might not have been where they ended up and u know thats true. obvioulsy the problem was goaltending from watchin all the games...the d and forwards were goodAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-61182790582710683282009-01-06T16:20:00.000-06:002009-01-06T16:20:00.000-06:00this is all laughable, the draft picks are all sti...this is all laughable, the draft picks are all still there and will be shuffled a bit. That is really is all the kids want anyways. One game in a torunament is not really reflective of kids overall talent or character. developing to the show is a continual, cumulative process. Brodeur and other canadian goalies never had much success and they are now HOF material.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-64758890557850922922009-01-06T16:01:00.000-06:002009-01-06T16:01:00.000-06:00With apologies to William Shakespeare: A glorified...With apologies to William Shakespeare: <BR/><BR/>A glorified Holiday tournament, full of sound and fury,<BR/>Signifying nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-85596520709628814532009-01-06T14:14:00.000-06:002009-01-06T14:14:00.000-06:00I think the seeds of US defeat were sewn when the ...I think the seeds of US defeat were sewn when the coaching staff failed to get Josh Unice any playing time early on. Whether it was the final 15 minutes vs. Germany after the lead ballooned to 5 goals, or some/all of the Kazakhstan game, Unice should have played. McCollum was not particularly good against Germany (2 goals on 18 shots, and 3 or 4 VERY shaky saves) or the Czechs. Clearly he has the better pedigree than Unice, but Unice has had international success with the U-18s, and he couldn't have been worse than McCollum turned out to be in the first two periods of the Canada game or the Slovakia game. However, by the time it got to the elimination games, it was too late to toss Unice in there completely cold.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-84250681898363587472009-01-06T14:04:00.000-06:002009-01-06T14:04:00.000-06:00Chris, you forgot to add that Unice upon his selec...Chris, you forgot to add that Unice upon his selection was the second worst goalie (statisticly) in the OHL.<BR/>McCollum had given up 5 goals a game in like 2 of 3 games prior to his selection.<BR/>Bad selections for the team at a crucial position. I guess the selection committee has forgotten the way to Fargo.<BR/><BR/>Who exactly picks the team anyway?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-46229644612637167862009-01-06T13:59:00.000-06:002009-01-06T13:59:00.000-06:00Bottom line: this tournament means everything to C...Bottom line: this tournament means everything to Canada, while most people in the US haven't even heard of it. No wonder its 15 gold to 1.<BR/><BR/>Forget about fixing the NTDP. There isn't enough demand for it to begin with. Just piggy back off Canada's junior system if you really want to develop. Then again, if the sport is to succeed at the professional level, Canada needs the U$.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-11546660923632098342009-01-06T13:56:00.000-06:002009-01-06T13:56:00.000-06:00Talk about "reading what you want to read"... What...Talk about "reading what you want to read"... What exactly did he say that makes him a sore loser?<BR/><BR/>McCollum was brutal - true<BR/><BR/>The US took more CHL players and still didn't medal - true<BR/><BR/>Goaltenders develop later than skaters - true<BR/><BR/>Doesn't think the NTDP is the problem - opinion, not attacking anyone<BR/><BR/>If he were to say that the US lost due to officiating so something, that would be false and be whining.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-57600861670367770902009-01-06T13:52:00.000-06:002009-01-06T13:52:00.000-06:00You are a fool.Blame the Goalie, make excuses.It i...You are a fool.<BR/><BR/>Blame the Goalie, make excuses.<BR/><BR/>It is almost comical.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-9349455584284477242009-01-06T13:40:00.000-06:002009-01-06T13:40:00.000-06:00Can't wait for the 2010 Olympics. When Canada los...Can't wait for the 2010 Olympics. When Canada loses gold on home turf in both men's and women's hockey we'll see who the sore losers are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-12184048561466198272009-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:002009-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:00Meanwhile, they leave a gold medal winning, USHL r...Meanwhile, they leave a gold medal winning, USHL rookie leading, potentially highest drafted goalie at home. MISTAKE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-19661170478841362412009-01-06T12:52:00.000-06:002009-01-06T12:52:00.000-06:00very much a sore loser.15 golds to 1 - that speaks...very much a sore loser.<BR/>15 golds to 1 - that speaks for itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-30006307191943326682009-01-06T11:39:00.000-06:002009-01-06T11:39:00.000-06:00sounds like a sore loser to mesounds like a sore loser to meAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com