We risk witnessing a major revolution in the world of hockey today, as the governors of Division I of the NCAA will vote on the project to abolish the rule making ineligible any hockey player who played in the Canadian Hockey League. hockey (CHL).
Various speakers met over the past few days have affirmed Journal that the abolition of this rule would primarily affect the Canadian university circuit. Moreover, scouts from NCAA programs are already crisscrossing CHL arenas, including the QMJHL, in search of 19 and 20 year old talent.
Obviously, there is nothing pleasant about having players stolen from you. However, with only three courses (UQTR, Concordia, McGill), the retention capacity remains rather slim.
“Every year, we lose guys because there aren’t enough teams,” says Marc-Étienne Hubert, head coach of the Patriotes of the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières.
Photo JEAN-YVES PRONOVOST
“The more teams there are, the more they will stay. “Not everyone has the potential to do four years of study in the United States,” continued the 46-year-old.
Hubert, whose team is beginning a reconstruction cycle with the objective of being ready for the presentation of the National Championship which will be held in Trois-Rivières in 2027, cites a recent example to illustrate his point.
“Someone called me to see if I had room for two defenders. Two very good players. I had to tell him that it was impossible because of the eight defenders I already have, four are rookies and four others are in their second season.
The brain drain
This situation is not unique. What happens to these young people who want to pursue their careers?
“They go to Ontario or the Maritimes. Or they play in the North American League,” says Hubert, who himself played four seasons for the Patriotes after his internship in the QMJHL.
Nothing very glamorous. Which will make the appeal of the NCAA even greater. And it has nothing to do with the quality of teaching.
“Our university programs are very strong in Quebec. I’m not talking about a master’s degree, but between a bachelor’s degree in Quebec and a bachelor’s degree in the United States, I choose the Canadian university each time,” insists Jacques Tanguay, one of those campaigning for the creation of an all-Quebec division in within the Canadian university circuit.
Photo Agence QMI, MARCEL TREMBLAY
Moreover, the interest of American universities in Canadian players will not only have an impact on hockey programs. If it were just that, there might not be a need to make such a big deal out of it. But Hubert pushes the reflection further.
“It’s a brain and talent drain,” he argued. The majority of athletes who leave for the NCAA do not return to Quebec.”
From standing still
Mr. Tanguay believes that we are missing the boat. Seeing the project stalling raises the ire of the businessman.
“There is no development. I have been saying it for a long time: we would be able to set up a league in a few months. It just takes someone raising their hand. It’s not moving forward and I think it’s going to happen on the women’s side first.”
And now a new competitor is about to enter.
“We have to have clubs. If we leave a door open to American universities, it will become a problem,” he added.
The Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ) has taken a few steps in this direction by creating a university-caliber Division 2, with teams at UQAC, UQO, ÉTS and Concordia.
But that is not what will convince young people to stay in Quebec.
With the collaboration of Kevin Dubé
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