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

[Gopher13]

This is a bigger issue than it needs to be. Odds were he wasn't going to even make the team and if he did it would be a bottom pairing that rarely sees any ice time. Missing half the Michigan NCAA season where he will play big minutes vs riding the pine at WJ = Michigan for development.

 

[angry pirate]

I think there would be half as much outrage if Michigan were honest from the get go and just said the camp is too long and it's too much of a detriment to their season to allow him leave. Sugar coating it and pretending that academics is the primary factor as if distance learning hasn't been the norm this academic season destroys their credibility with me. Frankly, it makes me think they are just shifting the blame to Hockey Canada for a decision they wanted to make anyways.

 

[Gopher13]

I think there would be half as much outrage if Michigan were honest from the get go and just said the camp is too long and it's too much of a detriment to their season to allow him leave. Sugar coating it and pretending that academics is the primary factor as if distance learning hasn't been the norm this academic season destroys their credibility with me. Frankly, it makes me think they are just shifting the blame to Hockey Canada for a decision they wanted to make anyways.

Valid points. I assume most of the classes if not all are online right now anyways so watching a class at his dorm or at a Canadian world junior hotel room arent that big of a difference. I am sure the Michigan coach has selfish reasons for having stay as well. Michigan didn't have a great season last year and underperformed so coach is probably feeling some heat to succeed and Power helps in that area.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Isn’t there a 14 day quarantine required to go from the US to Canada unless I’m missing something? So I’m not sure how Power can just show up whenever they release him. If he was going to the camp at all he should have been already doing it so when the coach came out with his quotes yesterday I knew Power wasn’t joining.

I think it’s been relaxed and is only 2-3 days. Do we really think a team is going to have to sit in their hotel room for two weeks when they arrive for the tournament? How could you be competitive missing two weeks of hockey?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I think it’s been relaxed and is only 2-3 days. Do we really think a team is going to have to sit in their hotel room for two weeks when they arrive for the tournament? How could you be competitive missing two weeks of hockey?

It hasn't been relaxed for the general public. But I am sure if they are entering and going straight into a contained bubble were they are being tested every day...Well that is probably seen as sufficient. I don't believe the American NHL teams had to isolate for 2 weeks before entering the NHL bubble either. Get two negative tests and you should be good to go.

 

[WaW]

Is Michigan letting American players go to their camp?

If so, the IIHF should rule that they drop the bias and let players go regardless of nationality, or no Michigan players can play.

This is clear national bias, and honestly not a good endorsement of the NCAA route to Canadians by Michigan

 

[Gopher13]

Is Michigan letting American players go to their camp?

If so, the IIHF should rule that they drop the bias and let players go regardless of nationality, or no Michigan players can play.

This is clear national bias, and honestly not a good endorsement of the NCAA route to Canadians by Michigan

Swing in a miss. USA camp already happened and yes Michigan let the players go to camp because the NCAA hasn't started yet. All other Canadian NCAA players that were invited are going to the Canadian camp. There is no national bias - its the fact that NCAA season is going on now and Canada junior leagues are not so having a month long camp doesn't affect most players except the Canadian ones playing NCAA which is a handful. The only player from the NCAA not going is Power and that's due to the fact he wouldn't have made the team and would miss games at Michigan during his draft year. If you are about development for the kid its a better move staying at Michigan and playing vs going to this camp.

 

[angry pirate]

Is Michigan letting American players go to their camp?

If so, the IIHF should rule that they drop the bias and let players go regardless of nationality, or no Michigan players can play.

This is clear national bias, and honestly not a good endorsement of the NCAA route to Canadians by Michigan

I believe Cam York and John Beecher are both locks for the US team. Now, I wouldn't say there is definitely bias as the US Camps have had minimal impact on their NCAA season. My opinion, this is simply Michigan looking out for Michigan. It's a C'est la Vie moment. It is what it is. Not a normal year. That said, I hope Owen takes the same approach and does what he not only feels is best for himself, but what he wants to do.

 

[ORRFForever]

This is not how college commitments work whatsoever. Its not a negotiable contract. Everyones is the same

EVERYTHING in life is negotiable - especially when you are in demand, and I'm sure there were endless schools vying for Power.

IF it had been ME, the World Juniors would have been a priority and I would have touched base with Hockey Canada during the summer to find out their plans. Then I would have told every school who offered me a scholarship that if I signed, they would have to make every effort to allow me to play - even if it meant leaving early for camp.

If they said no, I would not sign. Eventually a school would agree.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think if Power is playing that well for Michigan, he will be given a shot to play for Canada. They won’t keep him off the team if they think he’s that good. I think we will see him at the camp when all is said and done, at some point.

I hope you're right.

 

[angry pirate]

Swing in a miss. USA camp already happened and yes Michigan let the players go to camp because the NCAA hasn't started yet. All other Canadian NCAA players that were invited are going to the Canadian camp. There is no national bias

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.

 

[Gopher13]

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.

Power is the only draft eligible player of that bunch which is a major factor. Secondly, odds are he wouldn't even make the team.

 

[ORRFForever]

You sure about that?

I'm not sure about that. 18 year old D men jumping straight to the NHL is not common.

That's why Power needs to negotiates with the school this summer because what's to stop the school from saying no next year as well?

Always CYA yourself.

 

[ORRFForever]

Hockey Canada changed the camp dates and length, not Pearson.
LOL

If I'm Pearson, I don't release him either - I need my job more than Hockey Canada needs Power.

 

[ORRFForever]

The one and done is an approach I would advise him not to pursue. especially this year.. Will he even get 20 games in for the season? doesn't look like it. The free ticket to the pros based on draft position is a recipe for failure imo., especially for a d-man. if we are back to almost normal next fall, then send him back to school to play a full season/ WJC with his '02 age group. maybe even a Team Canada World Championship team in spring '22. Then a summer to train and then his first crack at a NHL roster.

That's fair but I'd get a commitment from Michigan that next year ALL steps will be taken to allow him to play at the World Juniors. If not, I'd be changing schools.

 

[ORRFForever]

Power is the only draft eligible player of that bunch which is a major factor. Secondly, odds are he wouldn't even make the team.

If he's not going to make the team, then releases him for the camp knowing you will get him back.

 

[ORRFForever]

At the end of the day...

Canadian fans are going to be pissed because we want to see Power, we want the best Canadian team available at the World Juniors, and because we feel there is a bias.

American fans are going to side with Michigan because they support the NCAA, the don't care if Power plays for Hockey Canada, and they know that if the roles were reversed, chances are, Michigan would find a way if USA Hockey asked.

American posters might even be having a laugh at our expense.

My hope is there is more negotiating and Hockey Canada / Michigan can find a better release date than Dec 10th.

 

[MuckOG]

At the end of the day...

Canadian fans are going to be pissed because we want to see Power, we want the best Canadian team available at the World Juniors, and because we feel there is a bias.

American fans are going to side with Michigan because they support the NCAA, the don't care if Power plays for Hockey Canada, and they know that if the rolls were reversed, chances are, Michigan would make the exception if USA Hockey asked.

My hope is there is more negotiating and Hockey Canada / Michigan can find a better release date than Dec 10th.

I'm an American fan, but feel Canada and Power are getting a raw deal here. He should be able to play for Team Canada.

 

[ORRFForever]

I'm an American fan, but feel Canada and Power are getting a raw deal here. He should be able to play for Team Canada.

Cool. Thanks!

 

[ORRFForever]

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.

True.

Again, if I am Pearson and Michigan, I wouldn't release him early either.

Michigan gave him a scholarship worth $50K/yr(?) and Pearson probably loves his job - why risk your job by giving up your best player so he can sit on the bench during the World Juniors?

 

[ORRFForever]

I believe Cam York and John Beecher are both locks for the US team. Now, I wouldn't say there is definitely bias as the US Camps have had minimal impact on their NCAA season. My opinion, this is simply Michigan looking out for Michigan. It's a C'est la Vie moment. It is what it is. Not a normal year. That said, I hope Owen takes the same approach and does what he not only feels is best for himself, but what he wants to do.

If USA Hockey called up Michigan and said, "We need Player A to help the U.S. win the World Juniors", I have no doubt Michigan would move hell and high water to allow him to play - there are too many ties between U.S.A. Hockey and the NCAA for it not to happen.

Let's just hope that Canadian players, their parents, and their agents see this and CYA themselves going forward if their kid is going to play in the NCAA.

 

[newfy]

True.

Again, if I am Pearson and Michigan, I wouldn't release him early either.

Michigan gave him a scholarship worth $50K/yr(?) and Pearson probably loves his job - why risk your job by giving up your best player so he can sit on the bench during the World Juniors?

Theres more nuance to it than that though. Dont release him and future recruits could see him as too strict and worried it could happen to them. I dont blame him for not releasing him for 2 months but December 10th is a little extreme on the other end though as well.If Power were a lock to make the team that might be fine but at his age he definitely isnt one

 

[ORRFForever]

Theres more nuance to it than that though. Dont release him and future recruits could see him as too strict and worried it could happen to them. I dont blame him for not releasing him for 2 months but December 10th is a little extreme on the other end though as well.If Power were a lock to make the team that might be fine but at his age he definitely isnt one

^ All true.^

As I have said, there are many sides to this story and all of them have a valid argument. I, like you, hope Hockey Canada and Michigan can find a middle ground so the kid will have a chance to play at the World Juniors.

 

[snipes]

Swing in a miss. USA camp already happened and yes Michigan let the players go to camp because the NCAA hasn't started yet. All other Canadian NCAA players that were invited are going to the Canadian camp. There is no national bias - its the fact that NCAA season is going on now and Canada junior leagues are not so having a month long camp doesn't affect most players except the Canadian ones playing NCAA which is a handful. The only player from the NCAA not going is Power and that's due to the fact he wouldn't have made the team and would miss games at Michigan during his draft year. If you are about development for the kid its a better move staying at Michigan and playing vs going to this camp.

To the bolded, how do you know Power wouldn’t make the team?

Anyways, this isn’t a good look on Michigan.

Team Canada should just invite another D man and move on.

 

[ORRFForever]

Team Canada should just invite another D man and move on.

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.