The debate over a Canadian national development program is not a new topic. In fact, it is a question which has resurfaced more frequently as the USNTDP has achieved more prominence in the NHL draft. There have been eight Americans selected first overall in the history of the NHL draft. Five of these eight players have been selected since 2000, and they all competed for the NTDP. Additionally, the 2019 draft featured seven USNTDP players selected among the first fifteen picks. The fact that NTDP alumni often are the highest Americans drafted is not surprising. The annual All-American game (played among all draft-eligible players in the U.S.) has become an event dominated by players in the Program.
I became more interested in this subject after watching this past season’s World Junior Championship gold medal game between Team USA and Team Canada. This obviously was a contest between two highly-skilled, evenly-matched opponents which ended in a 2-0 Team USA victory. The outcome of that contest gave me pause to consider whether a national program would have tipped the scales in Canada’s favor, the simple reason being the formation of a more cohesive unit resulting from playing together over an extended period of time prior to reuniting.
The logic given by many Canadian hockey professionals for not having a national program is that Canada emphasizes the NHL draft, not international competition. In their estimation, club teams across Canada do an excellent job of developing talent for the draft, and should remain the primary path of entry into the professional ranks.
With respect to the quality of Canada’s club teams, there can be no disputing that point. Having coached and scouted players for years, I’ve always considered it a privilege to step into arenas hosting high-end league games and tournaments featuring the best our northern neighbors have to offer. I do, however, respectfully disagree with the assertion that international hockey is not a priority to the Canadian game. Canadians pay close attention to international events, and it is a rich source of national pride when their teams are victorious in those competitions.
Having said that, I believe that Canada’s implementation of a national program would positively impact its international teams, and further enhance the draft status of its players. As support for this assertion, I point to the manner in which the USNDT has bred international success while simultaneously enhancing the visibility of American players.
I realize the formation of such a program been a highly contentious issue for several years. As such, I welcome all comments on this topic, whether they embody similar or different viewpoints. Thanks, Marty
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/usntdp-usa-hockey-set-to-dominate/
https://www.usahockey.com/page/show/2603826-americans-selected-first-overall
https://www.si.com/hockey/news/to-get-back-on-top-hockey-canada-needs-program-like-u-s-s-ntdp
https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/is-there-a-possibility-for-a-canada-ntdp.1571039/