Elite League Livestream: NTDP u17 vs. N & SW

[WarmUpTheBus]

Based on how Mr Hockey voting typically goes, it’s Donovan’s to win, if he slips up, Koster & Leudtke have a Chip, chair & a Chance...everyone else has a chance to be finalists, but it’s s one horse race (3 at most) IMO

Seeing Koster hit Donovan in full stride with a perfect pass (one of many) and having Donovan blow past the USA defense and score a goal perfectly highlighted why both of these players would be deserving Mr Hockey candidates.

[blueblood]

Same opinion last year with Randklev, who also was on the Breakdown Sports coverpage, as is Donovan this year. #SIJinx

[MrBoDangles]

Getting very old hearing all the goal is more important than the assist talk... Gretzky's stats were unheard of because he was such an amazing set up man..

[hockey59]

Getting very old hearing all the goal is more important than the assist talk... Gretzky's stats were unheard of because he was such an amazing set up man..

Points are what matter the most (clearly)... the ability to bury the puck is pretty important though...and if I recall correctly...Gretzky also (to date) has scored more goals than anyone else...

[yesiplayedhockey]

I could be wrong but I highly doubt the colleges are pulling up the "stats page" and making their picks off it

Scouts are looking for kids to make the right play...Sometimes that means skating around 2-3 opponents but usually it means making the pass when your're suppose to make it versus when you have to make it

Scouts are looking for kids to play the game the right way not who can lead the league in minutes played and unassisted goals.

So I guess what I'm saying is an assist is just as valuable as a goal (and in many cases, a great pass will cause scouts to jot a quick note down on their black pad more so than another tap in goal)

Play the game the right way and kids will be rewarded with points.... and most important of all, offers

[hockey59]

Scouts are looking for kids to play the game the right way not who can lead the league in minutes played and unassisted goals.

So I guess what I'm saying is an assist is just as valuable as a goal (and in many cases, a great pass will cause scouts to jot a quick note down on their black pad more so than another tap in goal)

Who implied an assist WASN’T as good as a goal? When we talk about the ability to bury the puck being important, who implied assists weren’t important. Talk about taking some leaps in logic. And playing the game the “right way” and getting on the scoring sheet are not mutually exclusive. Fact is there’s a boatload of kids who play the game the “right way” who never get the opportunity to play in the EL, let alone varsity hockey. And I’m sure Biondi’s gaudy goal numbers in EL play have in some way benefited from playing on the same team as RD...similar to how Worth benefited last year during the varsity season.

[MrBoDangles]

Scouts are looking for kids to play the game the right way not who can lead the league in minutes played and unassisted goals.

So I guess what I'm saying is an assist is just as valuable as a goal (and in many cases, a great pass will cause scouts to jot a quick note down on their black pad more so than another tap in goal)

Who implied an assist WASN’T as good as a goal? When we talk about the ability to bury the puck being important, who implied assists weren’t important. Talk about taking some leaps in logic. And playing the game the “right way” and getting on the scoring sheet are not mutually exclusive. Fact is there’s a boatload of kids who play the game the “right way” who never get the opportunity to play in the EL, let alone varsity hockey. And I’m sure Biondi’s gaudy goal numbers in EL play have in some way benefited from playing on the same team as RD...similar to how Worth benefited last year during the varsity season.

Dead on to Yes! All I've seen is talk about low goal totals and just an assist man... and then how another kid gets goals and ... Both of you keep doing what you're doing and the sky is the limit..!!!

[MrBoDangles]

Getting very old hearing all the goal is more important than the assist talk... Gretzky's stats were unheard of because he was such an amazing set up man..

Points are what matter the most (clearly)... the ability to bury the puck is pretty important though...and if I recall correctly...Gretzky also (to date) has scored more goals than anyone else...

52* goals and 163*** assists for 215 total POINTS in the Great One's best season...

[karl(east)]

This is where the master, Karl comes in to straighten us all out! HA! Karl, Karl...need ya buddy!

I'm here, I'm here, just lurking in the wings for now. Can't use up all my hot takes in October, especially with preseason podcasts and rankings right around the corner...

When people hype Ryder as the likely Mr. Hockey, I think that is in large part because of his draft status. Anyone who's watched draft status closely over the years knows that it often is not tightly correlated to goals or points, as NHL scouts are looking for a combination of size and skills that will translate smoothly to higher levels of hockey. Ryder certainly fits that bill, and with recent Mr. Hockey winners tending to also be big goal-scorers, I can see how he may seem somehow to not fit with the others. But historically there's been some variety, and some past winners were more assist machines who were dominant in their own end. Once upon a time, it was even more common for defensemen to win, even though we haven't had one of those in years now. I'm rambling, but my point is that there are a lot of different ways to be an elite player.

The Elite League is helpful, though I don't watch half as much of it as many others, in large part because only a couple of games happen up my way and sometimes they're on weekends where I'm booked up. But there are some things it can't show, like team chemistry and coaching and the depth of teams when it comes to second-tier players who aren't quite EL material but still are productive high school players. Not sure who that necessarily helps or hurts, but I'll throw it out there for discussion.

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

This is where the master, Karl comes in to straighten us all out! HA! Karl, Karl...need ya buddy!

But there are some things it can't show, like team chemistry and coaching and the depth of teams when it comes to second-tier players who aren't quite EL material but still are productive high school players. Not sure who that necessarily helps or hurts, but I'll throw it out there for discussion.

This is a fantastic point by Karl. While we have from time to time discussed some of the U16 and U18 players on this and other threads, we are obviously missing some. Additionally, believe it or not there are some multi sport athletes who aren’t playing hockey in the fall but who will have impactful seasons for their high school programs.

Also, in watching a couple elite league games this year, while there are some basic forecheck and d-zone systems, they are not nearly as structured which makes for a bit more open play. Also some VERY long shifts by some teams. Overall, it’s fun, but should all be taken with a grain of salt.

[hockey59]

This is where the master, Karl comes in to straighten us all out! HA! Karl, Karl...need ya buddy!

But there are some things it can't show, like team chemistry and coaching and the depth of teams when it comes to second-tier players who aren't quite EL material but still are productive high school players. Not sure who that necessarily helps or hurts, but I'll throw it out there for discussion.

This is a fantastic point by Karl. While we have from time to time discussed some of the U16 and U18 players on this and other threads, we are obviously missing some. Additionally, believe it or not there are some multi sport athletes who aren’t playing hockey in the fall but who will have impactful seasons for their high school programs.

Also, in watching a couple elite league games this year, while there are some basic forecheck and d-zone systems, they are not nearly as structured which makes for a bit more open play. Also some VERY long shifts by some teams. Overall, it’s fun, but should all be taken with a grain of salt.

Elite League is a indicator of top end talent...but it pretty much ends there...I recall a certain NW metro team with 4 EL members (3 played multiple years) that lost to knivens favorite team in a section final...while the same team with one EL member advanced to Xcel 8 years later...but that team also had 5 seniors who played regular shift varsity since (their) sophomore years...4 of which played on the PP with the EL (junior) the entire year. Then it comes down to team chemistry & GOALTENDING and coaching & GOOD luck or BAD (see Holy Family the last 2 years) PS: this was a few years ago when certain North EL teams had better representation from teams like Virginia & Little Falls & Int Falls & DM & Denfeld...rather than (largely) 2 teams

[CakeScout17]

Ahhh...all great points by Karl, MNHguy and 59...(did I get that right?) !

Good to peel back and look at the big picture, the 35,000 ft level and all the cliches that go with that. EL out of town this wknd - I think Eau Claire?
Hope they attend and enjoy. EL playoffs on way shortly and then just a few moons till Turkey Day and the HS season kickoff.

I wait with baited breadth for Karls' take and first rankings. Clarity and pragmatism sorely needed. Thx All!