In previous years, the USA had separate U18 and U17 teams that played a half season in the USHL. This year, the USNDP fielded a U17 team in the USHL for the full season, and are currently in the USHL playoffs. However, the utilize a huge roster, so half of them are at the U18s, the other half are in the USHL playoffs. (I think I got that right)
Slovakia uses a similar model with their U20 team, as they play in the Slovakian Extraleague, albeit only 20 games per season.
Two goals on empty net in that 5-1.
Doesn't USA U18 have their national team playing together the entire season in some league. I don't give any respect to that. It's almost like cheating. No other nation does that. Of course USA has advantage over any team with this system even if their team would otherwise be worse than some other team in talent.
The US isnt even the first to do this at any age level. The Euro teams are playing U18 tournaments throughout the entire year, its not like they havent played together.Two goals on empty net in that 5-1.
Doesn't USA U18 have their national team playing together the entire season in some league. I don't give any respect to that. It's almost like cheating. No other nation does that. Of course USA has advantage over any team with this system even if their team would otherwise be worse than some other team in talent.
The US isnt even the first to do this at any age level. The Euro teams are playing U18 tournaments throughout the entire year, its not like they havent played together.
So its cheating because no other countries are doing this type of program ? USA hockey is trying to develop kids at an early age with USHL, as an example, to compete better. Its inventive if anything. Not cheating.
Not cheating. Its a good strategy that other countries will no doubt follow. Russia started an U18 national team a few years ago, but for some strange reason abandoned it. That was a mistake.
The whole meldonium issue in 2016 kinda forced them to abandon it.Not cheating. Its a good strategy that other countries will no doubt follow. Russia started an U18 national team a few years ago, but for some strange reason abandoned it. That was a mistake.
That's actually a good point I didn't think of. Does team USA U18 play against Canada or something during the year outside U18 World Championships? Team USA having two matches against U18 Canada would be almost the same thing as Finland playing against Sweden, Russia and Czech in a span of 3-4 days.
Canada is certainly the biggest loser out of the top countries when it comes to these systems. They don't get the Euro games and they don't have their national team playing a full long season together. All respect to them for that. Maybe that is one reason why they didn't go further this year.
Not cheating. Its a good strategy that other countries will no doubt follow. Russia started an U18 national team a few years ago, but for some strange reason abandoned it. That was a mistake.
i would like the competition of u18 and u20 for pan-europian league. in some league model...
red bull salzburg is starting in u18 Czech league for the start...![]()
The whole meldonium issue in 2016 kinda forced them to abandon it.
Well with the way sports organizations across the world have been treating Russia lately I don't see happening for a while unfortunately. Its a shame really, Russian program had a lot of potential.That is true, but the solution is to have a national team that doesn't use Meldonium.
Can somebody link or add here USA lineup? Thank you. Numbers too, easier to follow.