I may be wrong on this, because I didn't grow up in the east, but I think
it's more accurate to say that the tradition was begun at a time when
Canadian players dominated WESTERN college hockey.  I grew up in Colorado
Springs, so I'm well aware of the situation at CC and DU; they were
virtually 100% Canadian.  But I believe that the rosters of BU, BC, and
Harvard, for example, had a fairly healthy number of Americans on their
rosters (can someone please verify one way or the other?)
 
If giving American players a place to play was the intent of the program, I
agree with you that the practice is unnecessary.  A look at the CC and DU
rosters, as well as the success of American dominated schools like BU and,
more recently BC, is evidence of that.  But I do suspect there's more going
on than that, since the practice is all MINNESOTAN, not all AMERICAN.
 
I personally don't have any opinion on Doug Woog, but I would be very, very,
surprised in the modern environment that an all-Minnesota roster could be
consistently competitive nationally REGARDLESS of the coach.
 
Speaking as an outsider, I greatly admire Minnesota (the state) hockey.  If
the University of Minnesota were to start recruiting out-of-state players,
it wouldn't reduce my admiration for Minnesota hockey one whit.  To me,
Minnesota (the state)  hockey and Minnesota (the university) hockey are two
different things.
 
Clay
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nathan Eric Hampton [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, April 09, 1999 4:46 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Minnesota        hockey
>
> Clay Satow asks
> I don't know who you're referring to when you refer to "Minnesota haters."
> Do you mean Ralph, who merely asked a question, or do you mean me, because
> I
> made an observation and about their roster is mostly Minnesotan, but has a
> few from elsewhere, and characterize it as "healthy mix, still a showcase
> for Minnesota hockey"?
>
> I'm sure they meant me.
> But I am not a Minnesota hater, just a Doug Woog hater.
> However, I wonder if Lucia is as arrogant as he appears to be. It will be
> wonder for Gopher hockey to have him. The Minnesota-only tradition was
> begun
> at a time when Canadian players dominated COLLEGE HOCKEY. It was to give
> them
> (i.e. American players) a place to play. Today, given NCAA eligibility
> rules,
> it is not only outdated but unnecessary. I will bet the house that Lucia
> my
> give lip service to it, but will not follow that tradition.
>
> Nathan Eric Hampton
>
> HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
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HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
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