[log in to unmask] wrote: Give kids the best to play with and in circumstances that will prepare them for the NHL (learning to play successfully with people from different backgrounds/countries). So I am now to understand that the point of college hockey is to prepare kids for the NHL? That means we can expect it to become as scummy as minor league *OH excuse me* NCAA basketball & football? It was also stated by someone else (sorry I don't remember who) that a winning team was the only goal. As has been related by others the U of M decide years ago (when it was still possible to decide winning isn't everything) to concentrate on developing youth hockey in Mn. Their record in the start of that was not good(winning) for a few years now, however, they have enjoyed the rewards of having an easy time in a rich talent pool. Yes, they can be overbearing about it. I don't care where a player is from as much as the drive to recruit is driven by the win at all cost mentality that hangs over bball & football - or that pro sports is the only valuable goal to youth sports. I know that there are good youth programs in other states & they develop some fine hockey players its too bad they can't find a way to stock all the US college teams & Canada would develop it's college program. NOT BECAUSE I HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST CANADA but because I want as many Americans exposed to the game as possible. I think college hockey is some of the most exciting, entertaining hockey there is & the best representation of the sport. Case in point -- did you see the reoprt on college hockey in Alabama on NBC last night? They have a very active youth program(maybe UA should only recruit from Alabama :-> ) It was reported that they used to stop the kids games to explain what happened to the crowd, now they get yelled at if they do it. Development of youth hockey is the key to expanding interest in hockey. me