I am the parent of a player currently being recruited by UND as well as other schools. I read your posts with interest and feel that I might be able to shed some insight on the recruiting scene. UND is certainly one of the best programs out there but there are many other very good programs as well. You have to understand that choosing a college is very difficult. There are a lot of factors involved and the hockey program is only one of them. The coaching staff, quality of life, proximity to home, facilities, academics, culture and opportunities for life after hockey are just some of the factors that come into play. Not everyone is destined to be an NHL player, although that is every kids dream. As a parent you want what's best for your child. As a 17 or 18 year old player you may be lacking the wisdom required to make a good decision. Parents must be involved in the decision process. That's their duty as a parent. At some point a kid makes a commitment and hopes it was the right decision. You should never chastise a kid for not choosing UND. Most kids do what they feel is best for them and they don't hold any annomosity towards the schools they didn't choose. Only time will tell if they made the right choice but either way the choice was made and they have to live with it. That choice will impact them for the rest of their lives, well after their hockey carreer is over. There may be factors at play that nobody but the player and his family understand. While I understand that trying to figure out why decisions were made is fun and part of the reason for this thread, it's important to understand that it's a very tough decision for a kid to make. And I might add those decisions are not always right. Good luck UND.
