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What can the NHL do? Draft more American born players. Sounds simple. Last year's draft was the first time that US born players were picked number one and number two in the draft, although they were not ranked that way. Look at the scouting reports for the draft for 2008 and you can easily see why there are so many other nations winning the draft picks. Out of the top 30 ranked players, 17 are Canadian and 6 are European.

Why are the Canadians and Euro players ranked so high? Money. In Canada the number one sport is hockey. Every little boy wants to grow up and be a Gretzky or a play like Bobby Orr. Cam Neely or Mark Messier? Gordie Howe is Canadian. Why? Because Canada supports hockey. Canada starts hockey programs early. Most Canadians can skate by the time they are learning to run.

The NHL can try to impose its self as one of the four major sports in the US but it falls far short from the NFL. It has to start in primary age groups. If the NHL wants the quality of players that Canada or some of the European countries produce, then they have to help grass root hockey. To stay competitive and keep the fan base that it has (small as it is), the NHL has to pick the best of the best and not look at where they are from. They have to pay the salaries being demanded or the best of the best will go back to playing hockey in their own countries.

Every year European countries are building bigger and better ice arena's creating a passion for the game. Some players that are highly ranked have even been deciding to remain in Europe to play in the league's there. There use to be a reason to aspire to be an NHL player when you were from Russia. The lure of the NHL has started to go on its down side.

Players like Ray Borque that played all but his last season for the same team are lost. Now it is where can I get the best deal. The NFL markets their players with product endorsements and commentators that know something about the game.

If the NHL wants to compete and wants to be able to recruit more American players, then a lot more than simply picking American draft picks has to change.

Steps off my soapbox for the evening.

Learn more about this author, Reverend Ashira Goddard.
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