I've always found it funny how schools speak of their ability to "develop"
players, and how, conversely, the players go to schools which "develop" NHL
players.  For instance, the talk about BU and its "developing" of NHL first
rounders Tkachuk, Lachance, etc. seems silly, yet, people still tout the same
names as examples of a coach's ability.  Remember, for every Tkachuk, there
is an Alexandr Legault, Mike Pomichter , Billy Peierce etc. who is highly
touted but doesn't make the cut.  The better test seems to be players who
come into the program less highly touted.  The true examples should be
players like Mike Grier, a late round pick, or (disclaimer: UNH plug to
follow) a Bryan Muir, who came as a non-NHL entity and now  is in the NHL
(sometimes).  Another example of this is Wisconsin and its reputation as a
goalie school, ignoring that you give schools high NHL draft picks like Mike
Richter and Jim Carey, and you have a great leg up.  (BTW, the same argument
goes for major junior, which claims to have developed players such as Bryan
Berard, even though they spend all but one year prior to the draft in a high
school program).
 
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