Olympics: Team USA 2022

[adsfan]

Some people still harken NCAA hockey being what it was in the 80s, but that's simply not true now a days. It's arguably the best development league in hockey, the amount of star NHL players coming out of the NCAA is ludicrous compared to what it was in 1980.

I think this US team will do fine, and also has the potential to win gold.

About 88% of NHL players have experience in the AHL. The AHL is the best development league in hockey.

I looked at the Milwaukee Admirals current roster and counted 19 of 31 who played more than 5 games this season who also played at least 1 season, usually 2 or 3, in the NCAA. That is 61%.

Google says that 33% of NHL players in 2018-19 previously played NCAA hockey. Twenty years before, it was 20%.

The NCAA has improved a lot, but they have a ways to go.

155 AHL alumni heading to Beijing Olympics

perecentage of NHL players that played in AHL - Google Search

perecentage of NHL players that played in NCAA - Google Search

 

[cg98]

About 88% of NHL players have experience in the AHL. The AHL is the best development league in hockey.

I looked at the Milwaukee Admirals current roster and counted 19 of 31 who played more than 5 games this season who also played at least 1 season, usually 2 or 3, in the NCAA. That is 61%.

Google says that 33% of NHL players in 2018-19 previously played NCAA hockey. Twenty years before, it was 20%.

The NCAA has improved a lot, but they have a ways to go.

155 AHL alumni heading to Beijing Olympics

perecentage of NHL players that played in AHL - Google Search

perecentage of NHL players that played in NCAA - Google Search

The AHL is a pro league, any pro league is going to be better than junior/college hockey. Not really hard to understand.

 

[adsfan]

The AHL is a pro league, any pro league is going to be better than junior/college hockey. Not really hard to understand.

When I was a kid, most pro teams, like in the IHL, had 1 or 2 former NCAA college players. The fact that Milwaukee has 61% is a tremendous increase versus the 10% or less back in the 1960s and 1970s. College was nearly a dead end in hockey back in the day. They were the 3rd to 10th round players in the draft.

 

[William H Bonney]

 

[Hanji]

About 88% of NHL players have experience in the AHL. The AHL is the best development league in hockey.

I looked at the Milwaukee Admirals current roster and counted 19 of 31 who played more than 5 games this season who also played at least 1 season, usually 2 or 3, in the NCAA. That is 61%.

Google says that 33% of NHL players in 2018-19 previously played NCAA hockey. Twenty years before, it was 20%.

The NCAA has improved a lot, but they have a ways to go.

155 AHL alumni heading to Beijing Olympics

perecentage of NHL players that played in AHL - Google Search

perecentage of NHL players that played in NCAA - Google Search

You can't really compare the AHL to the NCAA for development purposes. Both are generally used for different stages in development. And both don't draw from the same talent pool.

Most guys in the AHL are older and relatively close to optimal development. It's a league to fine-tune or adapt one's skills. The NCAA (or CHL) is more flat out skill development and learning for younger players.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Beniers not being on the 1st unit PP is a head scratcher. Need to clean the passing. Kept most the play in front of Commesso outside the danger area. China's defense is pretty big US forwards need to work harder down low.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Was starting to think. "Haven't heard from Beniers yet". With authority.

 

[William H Bonney]

Beniers was just okay. He's always a bit chaotic and sloppy with the puck until he settles down a bit. All in all about what you'd expect from a young team with almost no preparation going against a team that plays together year round. Took them a bit to find their passing and chemistry but once they did it was an easy game.

Will be interesting to see if the IIHF refs let that much interference go all tournament. China was hitting everyone in the 1st whether they had the puck or not. It died down a lot in the remaining 40 but there could have easily been a half dozen interference calls on China in the first 20.

 

[William H Bonney]

Jake Sanderson is in Beijing now, so hopefully he's allowed to play against Canada.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't know how far this team will go but they appear skilled and fast. I'll take my chances with that rather than a bunch of fossils.

 

[Northerner]

Was surprised to see Abdelkader playing.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I don't know how far this team will go but they appear skilled and fast. I'll take my chances with that rather than a bunch of fossils.

All day.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Was surprised to see Abdelkader playing.

He stayed in character. Lol.

 

[William H Bonney]

I don't know how far this team will go but they appear skilled and fast. I'll take my chances with that rather than a bunch of fossils.

I was surprised to see them even score without Mark Arcobello and Ryan Gunderson.

 

[Bonin21]

Was surprised to see Abdelkader playing.

Most of the game I wasn't sure he was still playing.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Edit: duplicate - what Mr. Bill Bonney updated us on below

Sanderson ready to go!

 

[William H Bonney]

 

[William H Bonney]

 

[SanDogBrewin]

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Not an easy shot to make.

 

[JiggsNY]

White numbers on white jerseys is an inspired decision.

 

[William H Bonney]

Not an easy shot to make.

Pasquale was convinced that was a cross ice pass coming, too. Caught him cheating.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

US picked up the breakout. Starting to cycle better.

 

[William H Bonney]

Struggled early with Canada's forecheck and the breakout, especially as the Canadian defense was aggressive holding the offensive blue line. Canadian goal was horrid but Mann settled in nicely with some good saves. About 10-12 minutes in they found their groove and showed pretty well.

Quinn needs to play the Meyers line more. They didn't seem to get much ice time, which is weird after being the best line in game 1. Hopefully them getting the 2nd goal late will earn them more trust in the rest of the game.