LD Owen Power - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA (2021 Draft)

[snipes]

Then they set a precedence they don't want to set. This is Hockey Canada making a stand as well.

No matter how this plays out, Hockey Canada needs to learn from this and ensure Canadian prospects, and their families / agents, know what to ask before signing to play in the NCAA.

Power is an outstanding player, but Canada has lots of other good D men to choose from who will be there the whole camp. We can win Gold without him and with players who want to be there to represent their country.

Time to just move on, I don’t think he should get to be a “late addition” to camp, this stuff shouldn’t be rewarded. All the best in the NCAA, playing teams like Arizona State is more important for Powers development than playing in a best on best WJC tournament I guess? Pearson knows best right?

Invite another D man in his place, preferably an older 19 year old D man.

 

[ORRFForever]

Power is an outstanding player, but Canada has lots of other good D men to choose from who will be there the whole camp. We can win Gold without him and with players who want to be there to represent their country.

Time to just move on, I don’t think he should get to be a “late addition” to camp, this stuff shouldn’t be rewarded. All the best in the NCAA, playing teams like Arizona State is more important for Powers development than playing in a best on best WJC tournament I guess? Pearson knows best right?

Invite another D man in his place, preferably an older 19 year old D man.

^ All great points. ^

Again, if I'm Hockey Canada I learn from this. I also tell Power and his family/agent sit down with Michigan and hammer out an agreement for next year to ensure he can play at the WJR's.

As for Power... When I was 17, I wouldn't have CYA'd myself either.
Then you get older... and wiser !

 

[TeddyBare]

Why is all the blame being placed on Pearson?
Maybe Power doesn't want to spend so much time away from the team he has been practicing with since the end of August. Or maybe he wants to be able to focus on his studies, something he may feel he wouldn't be able to do in the camp.

People have this obsession with these international tournaments

I remember people laying in Cale Makar for turning down the olympics because he wanted to focus on his studies and didnt want to miss that much time

 

[Gopher13]

Power is an outstanding player, but Canada has lots of other good D men to choose from who will be there the whole camp. We can win Gold without him and with players who want to be there to represent their country.

Time to just move on, I don’t think he should get to be a “late addition” to camp, this stuff shouldn’t be rewarded. All the best in the NCAA, playing teams like Arizona State is more important for Powers development than playing in a best on best WJC tournament I guess? Pearson knows best right?

Invite another D man in his place, preferably an older 19 year old D man.

I guess you don't understand the situation clearly enough. If Power makes the team (which he wouldn't) he would be on the bottom pair and not see the ice. Playing is better than sitting.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

It’s not a good or bad look on anyone. Should be the kids choice to make.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

A lot of people saying it’s a bias against HC, just so we’re clear the HC camp is the longest of any country by far.

up to 50 days is a long time, they clearly believe he can make the team. 2nd, how many Universities are going to cater to this ? It’s very bureaucratic, and it’s a bad look for them to allow this.

like yea like hey guys I’m going to do zoom classes for a month while y’all let me go here for free and miss 10 games..... I get their side

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The argument would be that Michigan is showing a national bias, not the NCAA as a whole. Some merit to the discussion given Boston College, Wisconsin, and Northeastern are releasing their Canadian players. But again, as I've previously said, I personally don't think it's bias as much as self interest.

It could also be that Power is the one driving this decision. Nothing in the coach's comments says that he is looking out for his own self-interest. There's not even a hint of that in his comments. No mention of his scholarship at the school of Michigan hockey's sporting success. Every comment has been specific to the player, and what's best for him. I wouldn't be as sure as you are, and as I previously said, some of you are seriously overreacting. All thats being debated is whether he'll be released to a training camp over playing regular season games. It's pretty illogical to suggest that a player benefits more from a training camp than regular season games.

 

[ORRFForever]

I guess you don't understand the situation clearly enough. If Power makes the team (which he wouldn't) he would be on the bottom pair and not see the ice. Playing is better than sitting.

If he's not going to make the team, then there is no downside to releasing him.

If Power was American and the roles were reversed, American posters would be chomping at the bit to get him to the WJR's.

 

[William H Bonney]

The hyperbole in here. It's understandable to disagree with the Michigan head coach (who's Canadian, by the way), but this has nothing to do with national bias. They're not releasing American players because USAH didn't choose to set up a WJC process that keeps players away from their regular clubs for 6+ weeks during the season if they make the team. USAH had a six day camp before any of their players' seasons had started.

I understand the frustration and I think Power should be able to go if that's his preference (which everyone is just assuming), but let's pump the brakes on the nationalistic conspiracies.

 

[ORRFForever]

It could also be that Power is the one driving this decision. Nothing in the coach's comments says that he is looking out for his own self-interest. There's not even a hint of that in his comments. No mention of his scholarship at the school of Michigan hockey's sporting success. Every comment has been specific to the player, and what's best for him.

If that was true, I'm sure Power would release a statement - "I'm concentrating on school, my college team needs me, U.O.M. is my priority", etc.

It would make the whole thing go away - which makes me think it's not true.

Again, Canadian kid, on Team Canada, against the best players in the world, on TV around the world vs. playing for a University team. I don't buy it, PB.

 

[dmac7719]

It could also be that Power is the one driving this decision. Nothing in the coach's comments says that he is looking out for his own self-interest. There's not even a hint of that in his comments. No mention of his scholarship at the school of Michigan hockey's sporting success. Every comment has been specific to the player, and what's best for him. I wouldn't be as sure as you are, and as I previously said, some of you are seriously overreacting. All thats being debated is whether he'll be released to a training camp over playing regular season games. It's pretty illogical to suggest that a player benefits more from a training camp than regular season games.

Exactly. There's absolutely no proof out there that Pearson is doing this against the wishes of Power. He very well may have put all of this out there like this in order to protect Power. It's not like there isn't any evidence out there of Canadian fans being absolutely ruthless to these kids.

 

[ORRFForever]

The hyperbole in here. It's understandable to disagree with the Michigan head coach (who's Canadian, by the way), but this has nothing to do with national bias. They're not releasing American players because USAH didn't choose to set up a WJC process that keeps players away from their regular clubs for 6+ weeks during the season if they make the team. USAH had a six day camp before any of their players' seasons had started.

I understand the frustration and I think Power should be able to go if that's his preference (which everyone is just assuming), but let's pump the brakes on the nationalistic conspiracies.

Question for you, WHB, and I won't argue with any answer you give - I'll assume you're being genuine...

Do you REALLY believe if Power was American, USA Hockey and the University would not find a way to get him on the team - even if it meant leaving school for 50 days?

With the training facility being in Plymouth Michigan, I think it would be a done deal.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

If that was true, I'm sure Power would release a statement - "I'm concentrating on school, my college team needs me, U.O.M. is my priority", etc.

It would make the whole thing go away - which makes me think it's not true.

Again, Canadian kid, on Team Canada, against the best players in the world, on TV around the world vs. playing for a University team. I doubt buy it, PB.

He could also release the opposite. The fact is that none of us know. I think assuming here is dangerous, especially that there's some nationalistic bias on the part of Michigan. It really doesn't make any sense. The Michigan coach is Canadian.

And I see a lot of people suggesting that Michigan is doing something really terrible. Why would anyone logically release an important player of there's during their regular season for a training camp? In fact, I don't see how it benefits the player in any way to be at a meaningless training camp over playing regular season games. These training camps are not important. Never are. The rosters are set in the exhibition games right before the tournament or set completely beforehand. This camp is only being had because of dumb bureaucrats in Ontario and Western Canada that want to lock down their people for their own personal power trip.

If Michigan wasn't releasing him for the tournament, complain all you want. And I'd agree with you. Would you logically want your team to release players for a meaningless training camp? If you're a Devils fan, do you want Jack Hughes released for an American WJC training camp? Of course not. I don't want Lafreniere or Kakko released for the World Juniors, unless the NHL training camp starts after the WJC ends.

As I previously said, a lot of people are overreacting. I'm sure Power will be there when its important that he's there at in early December. Nothing in any statement by anyone has suggested he won't be.

 

[ORRFForever]

Exactly. There's absolutely no proof out there that Pearson is doing this against the wishes of Power. He very well may have put all of this out there like this in order to protect Power. It's not like there isn't any evidence out there of Canadian fans being absolutely ruthless to these kids.

Then why wouldn't Power release a tweet or a statement saying it's his decision?

To assume Power does not want to play at the WJR's is counter intuitive.

 

[ORRFForever]

He could also release the opposite. The fact is that none of us know. I think assuming here is dangerous, especially that there's some nationalistic bias on the part of Michigan. It really doesn't make any sense. The Michigan coach is Canadian.

And I see a lot of people suggesting that Michigan is doing something really terrible. Why would anyone logically release an important player of there's during their regular season for a training camp? In fact, I don't see how it benefits the player in any way to be at a meaningless training camp over playing regular season games. These training camps are meaningless. Only being had because of dumb bureaucrats in Ontario and Western Canada that want to lock down their people for their own personal power trip. If Michigan wasn't releasing him for the tournament, complain all you want. Would you logically want your team to release players for a meaningless training camp?

As I previously said, a lot of people are overreacting. I'm sure Power will be there when its important that he's there at in early December. Nothing in any statement by anyone has suggested he won't be.

That's fair and I can see both the coach's and Michigan's point of view - I've said I wouldn't release him either.

I do disagree about nationality playing a role. I have no doubt, if he was American, he'd be released.

Having said that, I don't think they are trying to hurt Canada, I just think stings would be pulled / pressure would be applied if he was an American kid.

 

[TCNorthstars]

Then why wouldn't Power release a tweet or a statement saying it's his decision?

To assume Power does not want to play at the WJR's is counter intuitive.

Maybe he doesn’t want to deal with the backlash? Maybe the coach is throwing himself under the bus for the player?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Exactly. There's absolutely no proof out there that Pearson is doing this against the wishes of Power. He very well may have put all of this out there like this in order to protect Power. It's not like there isn't any evidence out there of Canadian fans being absolutely ruthless to these kids.

The other thing I keep seeing is that Power now won't play in the WJC because of this. What evidence is there of that? It keeps being repeated by many people, yet there's no proof for it. In fact, all the proof is to the contrary. All the comments out of Michigan have been that he will be released at some point. If it was being released for 50 days or he won't be on the team, why would they be trying to figure out the point that he will be released? If it was so, there would be no further decision to be made. The fact that there still is a decision to be made tells us that it's not as simple as Power is now not on the team because he wasn't released for the start of this training camp.

 

[ORRFForever]

Maybe he doesn’t want to deal with the backlash? Maybe the coach is throwing himself under the bus for the player?

It's counter intuitive and I don't buy it.

 

[BondraTime]

He’s in his draft year. It’s easy for guys like Newhook to leave when they don’t have to worry about getting drafted. Power needs games in, the more the better, and he is not even a sure thing at a roster spot.

 

[ORRFForever]

I don't think it's a coincidence that the vast majority of the posters who are siding with the NCAA are American - not trying to be insulting, just a trend I've noticed.

Again, if Power was from Mississippi and not Mississauga, our American friends would be chomping at the bit to have Power play for the Red, White and Blue - even if it meant leaving school for 50 days.

 

[dmac7719]

The other thing I keep seeing is that Power now won't play in the WJC because of this. What evidence is there of that? It keeps being repeated by many people, yet there's no proof for it. In fact, all the proof is to the contrary. All the comments out of Michigan have been that he will be released at some point. If it was being released for 50 days or he won't be on the team, why would they be trying to figure out the point that he will be released? If it was so, there would be no further decision to be made. The fact that there still is a decision to be made tells us that it's not as simple as Power is now not on the team because he wasn't released for the start of this training camp.

I guess the only thing I can think of is that Canada is pretty bad in that they usually don't take players to the WJC if they didn't go to the camp. With them doing this month long camp, maybe people are equating this to what they have done in the past and this is why there is this notion that he will not be on the team.

 

[TCNorthstars]

It's counter intuitive and I don't buy it.

You don’t see how a 17 year old might not want the negative attention of saying he would rather not play for his national team at this time?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

That's fair and I can see both the coach's and Michigan's point of view - I've said I wouldn't release him either.

I do disagree about nationality playing a role. I have no doubt, if he was American, he'd be released.

Having said that, I don't think they are trying to hurt Canada, I just think stings would be pulled / pressure would be applied if he was an American kid.

It's all speculation. Personally speaking, if I was Canadian, I would rather Power be playing consistent regular season games at a higher level than he's ever played at than being in a training camp where they improve conditioning, do some drills, and then maybe occasionally scrimmage once or twice a week. I think people are looking at this too tribally. Think about what benefits the player. There's no reason to discuss the actual WJC tournament because there's no indication that his participation in that is effected by this.

And believe me, I've been on the other side before. The Mexican soccer league (LigaMX) has done it many times where they won't release American players but will release Mexican players for international games. The Mexican league even turned that against the USA by lying to a dual-national player who played for the USA in telling him they released him when it was clear they didn't, and they turned the naive kid against the US federation because of it. He later switched to playing for Mexico based off the lie the Mexican league told him. But thats another story. So I'm with you that this stuff does happen in international sports, and it can get heated. I merely think this is a situation where people are taking this way out of context and making this way more tribal than it really is.

 

[ORRFForever]

You don’t see how a 17 year old might not want the negative attention of saying he would rather not play for his national team at this time?

I think the coach / school would release a statement saying,

"The coaching staff, Owen and his parents believe playing for the University in the Fall of 2020 is in his best interest long term. However, he looks forward to playing for Team Canada in 2021."

Then the whole thing goes away.

 

[ORRFForever]

It's all speculation. Personally speaking, if I was Canadian, I would rather Power be playing consistent regular season games at a higher level than he's ever played at than being in a training camp where they improve conditioning, do some drills, and then maybe occasionally scrimmage once or twice a week. I think people are looking at this too tribally. Think about what benefits the player. There's no reason to discuss the actual WJC tournament because there's no indication that his participation in that is effected by this.

And believe me, I've been on the other side before. The Mexican soccer league (LigaMX) has done it many times where they won't release American players but will release Mexican players for international games. The Mexican league even turned that against the USA by lying to a dual-national player who played for the USA in telling him they released him when it was clear they didn't, and they turned the naive kid against the US federation because of it. He later switched to playing for Mexico based off the lie the Mexican league told him. But thats another story. So I'm with you that this stuff does happen in international sports, and it can get heated. I merely think this is a situation where people are taking this way out of context and making this way more tribal than it really is.

You're a good man, PB, so I'll respect your opinion.

Having said that, I still believe, if he was American, he'd be released.