Deron is right on! I debated about commenting on this subject because of the nature in which it came up. Maine, it seems, has been hit hard every year in the last four or five years, by the juniors and olympics. Sure I hate to see the team lose the players for a period of time. However it lets you see just what your team is made of. Players who normally would never suit muchless play get a shot and guys who never get to be leaders get the chance to show what they are worth. Walsh has always boasted of how great it is when his players get a chance like this. Also these players get a great experience from being on the team and what they learn by playing with the cream of the crop. It makes them better players and they share this knowledge when they come back. I for one think the whole team benifits more by losing these players, then it loses. BU will much stonger both this and next year because they will better understand their depth and have better players retuning from the juniors. It may only be a short period of time they are gone, but they will still have that experience to build on. This also fits in with the college experience in that the travel and exerience will make them more rounded students. If sports aren't about learning then all college sports should be dropped. That's my point of view, I welcome yours! Nick Deron Treadwell wrote (and very well made his point): >Mike made a great point that I just wanted to add one thing to. Mike said >that holiday tournaments can help decide whether or not a team makes the >NCAA championships or where they are seeded.. just as a note to that. In >Maine's 42-1-2 year, Peter and Chris Ferraro and Paul Kariya all went to the >juniors, Maine won both their tournaments. Even if players were not going >to the WJC, it is never certain that they will stay healthy. I think it >means more to win without these players, and it shows something about the >character of the team. It is definately a challenge, but in my opinion (and >it is only my opinion) playing for your country in any way is chance of a >lifetime, and you can't really take that away from anyone..