Hockey experts analyze Minnesota's talent pool

By RYAN CLARK, The Forum

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Traditional hockey states like Massachusetts and Michigan have always provided competition. Yet states such as California and Texas are coming into the picture, which raises the question: Is Minnesota still the best place for talent?

"In general, in terms of if this is the best or worst year, I'd say it is more of a cycle," said Bill McCarthy, a scout with the Ottawa Senators, who has coached at two Minnesota high school programs. "It tends to flow in an area or country like Sweden. Minnesota certainly has a couple of things going for it, though."

One of those things is accessibility. McCarthy said players in states like California and Texas can only play up to a certain point before they have to move.

Minnesota, however, does not have that problem, because a player from the state could potentially never leave with all the different levels of hockey.

An example of how others are not afforded that would be University of North Dakota commit Rocco Grimaldi, who grew up in southern California.

Grimaldi said Californians are willing to spend the money to fund hockey, but to get better, he had to move.

"Hopefully, the hockey is getting better out there," Grimaldi said. "There are a lot of great players and they are building solid programs."

Wade Clarke, a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers, said culture could be another reason why Minnesota could be No. 1.

Clarke, who has been a scout for four years, said Minnesota's culture and love for hockey reminds him of his native Canada.

His family moved to Minneapolis when he was attending college and when he came to visit, he said it felt like being back home.

"It reminded me of Canada because of the kind of focus there is on hockey during the winter," Clarke said. "You could go out to any of the outdoor places on the lakes and outdoor rinks and people are always playing."

Clarke pointed out that southern markets have latched onto hockey because National Hockey League teams like the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes have been successful.

There's also a popular theory in many hockey circles known as "The Gretzky Effect."

Some have argued that when Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, it spurred the growth of hockey across the nation. And today's talent from southern states is a direct result.

Last year's NHL draft held in Los Angeles had three players from Minnesota drafted in the first round and two from California.

"One of those kids from California, from what I heard and read, had to commute all over the place to practice," said Moorhead boys hockey coach Dave Morinville, who was a former NHL scout and St. Cloud State assistant. "Here, we just drive five minutes and there's ice."

Location, McCarthy said, is another reason why Minnesota stands out.

McCarthy's job requires him to watch high school hockey, the United States Hockey League and college teams. Being based in Minnesota allows him to cover all three whereas living elsewhere could pose problems.

"We have a chance to be at a place where there is a pulse," McCarthy said. "We have a chance to pick players that are good citizens, and kids from Minnesota often fall into that category."

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Gallery

Fullscreen SlidePrevious Slide

1 of 1

Next Slide