LW Kyle Connor - Michigan, NCAA (2015, 17th, WPG)

[William H Bonney]

The US has a system in place that they have gotten behind 100% and it has paid dividends to be sure , there is a bias for players that come from there and have associations with coaches and management linked to that .

The problem with this theory is that it's not true. This theory gets brought up all the times even though it's contradictory to the facts. If it were true, 45% of the team (10 players) wouldn't have been players without ties to the NTDP. If it were true, a player that skipped out on the NTDP after one season (MacInnis) wouldn't have made it. If it were true, they wouldn't have passed over guys like Tuch, Bracco, Roslovic, Keller, or Kunin.

Moreover, if USAH was political against Connor, they wouldn't have added him to their IIHF U18 roster in 2014. When they did that, they did so at the expense of an NTDP player. They wouldn't have had him join the NTDP U18 team for 8 other games that season as well.

Why would they do those things if your theory were true?

Much like they don't like to nor often take a player playing in one of the Canadian Jr. leagues over a player from an American university .

Again, not true. 8 players on the team (36%) came from the CHL, and it's 9 if you count Milano who's still OHL eligible.

The USAH WJC teams usually have an NTDP bend because the NTDP attracts a lot of the top American talent. It's natural that top talent would end up on WJC teams. Additionally, the majority of American players end up in the NCAA, which means it's more likely that players on the WJC team will be college players. It's not a conspiracy, it's probability.

 

[jetkarma*]

The problem with this theory is that it's not true. This theory gets brought up all the times even though it's contradictory to the facts. If it were true, 45% of the team (10 players) wouldn't have been players without ties to the NTDP. If it were true, a player that skipped out on the NTDP after one season (MacInnis) wouldn't have made it. If it were true, they wouldn't have passed over guys like Tuch, Bracco, Roslovic, Keller, or Kunin.

Moreover, if USAH was political against Connor, they wouldn't have added him to their IIHF U18 roster in 2014. When they did that, they did so at the expense of an NTDP player. They wouldn't have had him join the NTDP U18 team for 8 other games that season as well.

Why would they do those things if your theory were true?



Again, not true. 8 players on the team (36%) came from the CHL, and it's 9 if you count Milano who's still OHL eligible.

The USAH WJC teams usually have an NTDP bend because the NTDP attracts a lot of the top American talent. It's natural that top talent would end up on WJC teams. Additionally, the majority of American players end up in the NCAA, which means it's more likely that players on the WJC team will be college players. It's not a conspiracy, it's probability.

They are true , never said it meant a certain percentage , it just means it comes into play and it was a factor in the decision to not invite Connor . Simply was .

Too many people close to the programs have alluded to it in varying degrees. If you want to believe it isn't a factor that's fine , but it has come into play over and over . That doesn't mean it applies in every single player's situation . That of course doesn't .

 

[jetkarma*]

One assist late in the game , a pretty uneventful game for the big line .

 

[Whileee]

The problem with this theory is that it's not true. This theory gets brought up all the times even though it's contradictory to the facts. If it were true, 45% of the team (10 players) wouldn't have been players without ties to the NTDP. If it were true, a player that skipped out on the NTDP after one season (MacInnis) wouldn't have made it. If it were true, they wouldn't have passed over guys like Tuch, Bracco, Roslovic, Keller, or Kunin.

Moreover, if USAH was political against Connor, they wouldn't have added him to their IIHF U18 roster in 2014. When they did that, they did so at the expense of an NTDP player. They wouldn't have had him join the NTDP U18 team for 8 other games that season as well.

Why would they do those things if your theory were true?



Again, not true. 8 players on the team (36%) came from the CHL, and it's 9 if you count Milano who's still OHL eligible.

The USAH WJC teams usually have an NTDP bend because the NTDP attracts a lot of the top American talent. It's natural that top talent would end up on WJC teams. Additionally, the majority of American players end up in the NCAA, which means it's more likely that players on the WJC team will be college players. It's not a conspiracy, it's probability.

So it's not political, it's just stupid. Okay.

 

[William H Bonney]

They are true , never said it meant a certain percentage , it just means it comes into play and it was a factor in the decision to not invite Connor . Simply was .

Too many people close to the programs have alluded to it in varying degrees. If you want to believe it isn't a factor that's fine , but it has come into play over and over . That doesn't mean it applies in every single player's situation . That of course doesn't .

Facts, please. Making the same claim over and over without any evidence doesn't cut it.

 

[William H Bonney]

So it's not political, it's just stupid. Okay.

Correct. As I said, it was an indefensible decision. He should have been there.

 

[covfefe]

It really defies logic, Connor would have been one of the best players in the whole event, but that's water under the bridge now. The snub seems to have worked out well for him anyway

 

[EdwardTK]

Only one point today, what a bust....

 

[MardyBum]

Buuuust.

 

[Jetabre]

Was a good run. Fun while it lasted.

 

[Siludin]

Connor, Boeser and White are the future of team USA, huh? Not that Gaudreau, Eichel or Matthews guys, they are meh.
I mean Connor didn't even make team USA WJC team. He must have massive flaws in his game.

I think those guys are the products of a system that is just now starting to pay huge dividends. I predict this next year we will see a bunch of great American prospects out of the top two rounds of the draft as well.

Every team has their marquee names, but historically, only Canada has been able to ice a team full of superstars at every position from top to bottom. I think the USA will soon be in that position as well. This generation of young players will be better than the previous generation of the Parise/Backes/Kesler/Ryan etc

 

[Siludin]

No. Connor should have been on the team. Indefensible decision. But incompetence isn't politics.

Incompetence is very frequently sourced back to politics.

 

[jetkarma*]

I think those guys are the products of a system that is just now starting to pay huge dividends. I predict this next year we will see a bunch of great American prospects out of the top two rounds of the draft as well.

Every team has their marquee names, but historically, only Canada has been able to ice a team full of superstars at every position from top to bottom. I think the USA will soon be in that position as well. This generation of young players will be better than the previous generation of the Parise/Backes/Kesler/Ryan etc

They are at that position now .

The exposure of hockey to non traditional markets has started to pay dividends as well as the infrastructure now in place and the growth of hockey at the collegiate level .

Elite athletes are now not just becoming shortstops or skill players in football or even basketball players , more and more high end genetically blessed American kids are playing hockey . That has led to the huge increase in quality prospects and there now are more US kids enrolled in grass roots hockey than in Canada .

The cost is an issue but that is everywhere more or less , we are also seeing direct results of retired NHL players that have stayed in the US producing results . Strong coaching , quality programs and competition is adding to number of high end prospects being developed.

 

[jetkarma*]

Facts, please. Making the same claim over and over without any evidence doesn't cut it.

Talk with coaches in the USHL , there is a bias . You not agreeing doesn't validate your position either .

I have no qualms with you believing what you want , but "politics" played a part .

 

[William H Bonney]

Talk with coaches in the USHL , there is a bias . You not agreeing doesn't validate your position either .

I have no qualms with you believing what you want , but "politics" played a part .

Except I'm offering evidence to support my position. Why did USAH add Connor for the IIHF U18s if they had a political score to settle against him?

Saying you talked to someone isn't evidence.

 

[CaptainChef]

I think those guys are the products of a system that is just now starting to pay huge dividends. I predict this next year we will see a bunch of great American prospects out of the top two rounds of the draft as well.

Every team has their marquee names, but historically, only Canada has been able to ice a team full of superstars at every position from top to bottom. I think the USA will soon be in that position as well. This generation of young players will be better than the previous generation of the Parise/Backes/Kesler/Ryan etc

US had the chance to ice a team of stars at F for sure this year. Left half of them home including some of the very best because they needed grinders on the 3rd & 4th lines. Incompetence for sure, but I do think they have something against Connor or they would have at least invited him to camp.

 

[bossram]

US had the chance to ice a team of stars at F for sure this year. Left half of them home including some of the very best because they needed grinders on the 3rd & 4th lines. Incompetence for sure, but I do think they have something against Connor or they would have at least invited him to camp.

Agree. Absolutely indefensible they left one of absolute best NCAA players at home. By very evaluative measure he should have been on the team.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Agree. Absolutely indefensible they left one of absolute best NCAA players at home. By very evaluative measure he should have been on the team.

as a Canada fan I was so happy/pissed off when Connor was left off the team. Happy cause Canada wouldn't have to face him BUT I wanted to see him play so bad.

Oh well, Ive watched a few of his games this year now since WJC and I am shocked how good he actually is. Unreal prospect

 

[Whileee]

I wonder if the fact that this was Connor's last year of eligibility for the WJC-20 might have played a role. Maybe they were trying to include some younger players who would come back next year? Otherwise, hard to imagine hockey personnel being that stupid.

 

[Whileee]

At the risk of starting a firestorm, how much has he closed the gap with Marner as a prospect, based on the draft+1 season? I saw somewhere that his NHLE this season is off the charts this season, and it was very strong going into the draft.

 

[Atoyot]

I wonder if the fact that this was Connor's last year of eligibility for the WJC-20 might have played a role. Maybe they were trying to include some younger players who would come back next year? Otherwise, hard to imagine hockey personnel being that stupid.

Ryan Hitchcock is not eligible to return next year.

 

[Whileee]

Ryan Hitchcock is not eligible to return next year.

Sure, but he's Ryan ****ing Hitchcock!!!!

 

[Whileee]

I'll just leave this here....

Marner (NHLE):

Draft: 49.2
Draft+1: 49.9

Connor (NHLE):

Draft: 31.6
Draft+1: 61.4

The point isn't that Marner isn't a tremendous prospect, but to illustrate just how strong Connor's draft+1 season is looking.

 

[hockeey]

I'll just leave this here....

Marner (NHLE):

Draft: 49.2
Draft+1: 49.9

Connor (NHLE):

Draft: 31.6
Draft+1: 61.4

The point isn't that Marner isn't a tremendous prospect, but to illustrate just how strong Connor's draft+1 season is looking.

Yep its pretty rare for someone to dominate this much. He's up there with Eichel and Larkin. Only thing that concerns me is how high his linemates are producing. If he's steering the line then that's quite impressive but if its a result of everyone then his totals may be a little bit inflated but still great nonetheless.

 

[Whileee]

Yep its pretty rare for someone to dominate this much. He's up there with Eichel and Larkin. Only thing that concerns me is how high his linemates are producing. If he's steering the line then that's quite impressive but if its a result of everyone then his totals may be a little bit inflated but still great nonetheless.

He's well ahead of Larkin's pace last year (especially in goals).

I completely agree that we need to consider the strength of his linemates and be cautious accordingly. However, it's interesting to note that he's leading the team in points, and well ahead of the others. Larkin was second on the team in scoring as a freshman last season.

I think Larkin is the better all around player, and has better size and strength. So I still think it's unlikely that Connor will be as good as Larkin. But I'm looking forward to watching Connor and Ehlers together with the Jets. So much wonderful!