The following struck a cord with me...
 
>On Thu, 18 Mar 1999 14:21:20   Jodygbs wrote:
>>maybe they should recruit american players instead of little Canadians
>>
>
>The reason the Catamounts have "little Canadians" is that Burlington is so
close to Souther Qubeec. WVMT (620AM, Burlington) can be listen to in
Montreal, so players from Laval (like Martin and Eric), their family can
listen to the game. Why should they try to recruit "american players" if
they made a trip to the Final Four in 1996 (loss in the semi's in 2nd OT,
with bad ice conditions; and a goal that should have been allowed - hand
pass). And they went again to the NCAAs in 1997.
 
My comments on the issue:
 
The Catamounts would probably love to populate their roster with American
hockey players as long as they can play at the DI level.  But are they
better off spending their time fishing in the same hole (Prep school ranks)
with BU, BC, Harvard, NU, etc. for the MA hockey talent?  Probably not, they
might get a few average players year in and year but that's the extent of
it.  They might steal a late bloomer or take a risk on a kid (Richardson)
that they will hope to develope but that's a tough market.  Now add the MAAC
and it further complicates the issue.
 
Vermont, for years seem to be content with wallowing in mediocrity.  After
it's initial entry in DI, a brief splash in the late 80's and then the teams
of 1996 & 97 that is all the DI hockey positives that the school can boast
about in 30+ years.  A few standout players but never a full compliment made
up the teams for years.
 
The 1996 team opened doors in the recruiting world for Vermont that had
never been there.  They were recognized nationally and by the major talent.
Several big time recruits had Vermont on their short list, Gionta(BC),
Huskins(CLK) and Koch(UM) to name a few.  All made decisions to go elsewhere
for whatever reason.  Do you think the Cats would be struggling with them in
the line up?
 
Vermont made an attempt to go big time but in the end failed.  The prospects
for this team to be in top echleon of the ECAC is optimistic.  They need
some major talent to arrive and contribute immediately.  They get hurt
pretty bad by graduation in key spots.  They also have no one to put the
puck in the net.
 
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