This is Part 1 of a two-part series about the development of players in the USHL.
Imagine you’re a 16 year-old prospect talking to one of college hockey’s most revered coaches.
You’re liking what you’re hearing, but there’s still that question: why the USHL?
Then he drops the bomb.
“How does it sound to be 22 years of age and have an NHL contract and college degree?”
Sold.
The coach turned salesmen is Western Michigan’s Andy Murray. It’s tough to turn down a two-time NHL bench boss and even tougher when his product sells itself.
It’s pitches like Murray’s and the progression of the USHL that has brought so much success to the only Tier-1 junior league in the United States.
“A lot of these players now recognize that in the National Hockey League, 32% of the NHL comes from college hockey how they get to college hockey in most cases (is) through the USHL,” Murray said.
On June 13th the USHL reached 400 Division I college commits for the first time in its 36-year history, a number that accounts for more than 95% of players in the league.
“The style clearly mimics college hockey,” Michigan associate coach Billy Powers said. “It’s a fast pace game, gets hectic at times but so does college hockey.”
Murray echoed the point.
“The emphasis point when you watch USHL games is that high-tempo of the games, skill level and every night competition that you’re facing,” Murray said. “Good teams, outstanding coaches, great facilities, enthusiastic fans. It’s a great venue for players to come to and improve.”
The similarity between the USHL and college hockey style has prepared loads of players for the next level.
In Lincoln, Kevin Roy was a prime example. He had 104 points in the 2011-2012 season with the Stars, then finished a four-year college career at Northeastern averaging more than a point per game. He recently signed a deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
Powers had a less Lincoln-centric example: Kyle Connor. The now 19-year old had nearly 200 points in three USHL seasons, was a Hobey Baker finalist with Michigan last season and is set to begin next season with the Winnipeg Jets.
Time in school also allows players to mentally mature before making life-changing decisions about their hockey career, former NHL All-Star Keith Primeau said.
“It’s not where you are right now as a hockey player, it’s where you’re going to be when you’re done,” Murray said. “We think the development curve in the USHL is tremendous.”