Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
Somewhat ironic is that the Flames benefitted when the USA college system started to pick up steam as an NHL feeder system. The Flames were able to identify guys like Suter (9th round in 1984) and Nieuwendyk (2nd round - 1985). IIRC, people were like, what the heck is a Nieuwendyk when he was drafted. Then there was Paul Ranheim drafted out of a U.S. highschool. Back in the 1980s, the Flames drafted quite a bit from those systems and were one of the main teams giving them a shot. Granted, most of them didn't turn out, but the ones that did were steals. Nowadays, drafting American players for Calgary seems to carry more risk, especially in later rounds.
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not to mention Otto, Patterson, Macoun etc as college UFAs (I realize some of these- nieuwy too- were actually Canadians. Berezan too went the college route but maybe drafted out of the AJHL?
oh George Pelawa, what could have been...