Man, the college hockey season is ONLY one game old and the hockey experts are already out criticizing the recruiting practices of the University of Minnesota. It always amazes me that anyone other than the locals would even care! I realize that this WON'T end the debate, but let me try and put the proper perspective to what I think is the MOST LOGICAL recruiting approach in ALL of college athletics. It kind of a "funnel" philosophy so read/listen closely. First, the state of Minnesota has the MOST hockey players in the United States under the age of 18 currently registered with USA Hockey. MY POINT: This means that the premier college hockey program in the state begins by drawing its resources from the largest consolidated pool of players in the COUNTRY. Second, it may not be perfect, but Minnesota has developed the most competitive high school hockey system in the USA. Over the past 50 years this system has proven itself both internally and externally. MY POINT: Minnesota has an effective vehicle in place that allows talented players to be developed and showcased for U of M recruiters. Also, don't buy into the MYTH that the "best" players are jumping ship for the Juniors, it is ONLY a handful of players. Third, piggybacking on point number two, Minnesota is second to only Ontario, Canada in placing players in Divison One hockey. Last season ACHA did a player count and Minnesota has approximately 170 players in D1 programs. This number was WAY ahead of both Massachusetts and Michigan, and less than a dozen players behind the Province of Onatrio. MY POINT: If Minnesota is "churning out" this many D1 players why would the Gophers NEED to look any further than its own borders! Last season the Gopher recruiting budget was a measly $10,000. I could go on with many other "points" regarding players from Minnesota playing in Junior A, Olympic competition, National Team programs, as well as the National Hockey League (mostly former Gophers), but I hope I at least shed some "new" light on why the U of M recruits only players from Minnesota. Lastly, I would like to offer my opinion on using NCAA national championships as a barometer of success. If you try and criticize the Gophers because they haven't won the "BIG ONE" since 1979 you need to stop being a hypocrite and take a look around. Take a look at our last two national champions for example. Boston University, a mix of players from all over the globe, hadn't won a national championship since 1978. How about Michigan. Red Berenson hasn't been afraid to reach north of the boarder, they hadn't won an NCAA title since 1964! Hell, even the Gophers had WON three titles before Michigan could get their first one in 32 YEARS! The bottom line is if you try and attack the Gopher recruiting strategy based on winning national titles you have NOTHING! In closing, for those of you that are bothered by the Gophers ALL MINESOTA recruiting policy get over it! Us fans of the program really, really, really like it! I follow all of the boys through youth and high school hockey and LOVE to see their dreams come true when they slip on the Maroon & Gold. Go Gophers! Steven M. Bernhardt [log in to unmask] Armstrong Youth Hockey & Golden Gopher Hockey "Minnesota's Pride on Ice" HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.