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CC hockey coach will still pursue best players, despite losing top-notch recruit to NHL
Comments 0 | Recommend 0Scott Owens doesn’t regret recruiting defenseman John Moore. If a similar situation arises, the Colorado College coach won’t hesitate to pursue another top-end player.
Moore signed a three-year entry contract Tuesday with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who picked him 21st in last month’s NHL draft, and will forgo CC to play major junior hockey. Owens said he hasn’t changed his opinion on recruiting players who might only attend college for a year or two.
“We’re going to keep stepping up to the plate and try to get these guys,” said Owens, who added Moore was a “perfect fit” at CC because of his academic background.
Moore was an unusual circumstance. Only CC, Miami (Ohio) and Dartmouth pursued him in the early stages of recruiting, but he improved rapidly. Earlier this year, NHL Central Scouting ranked him as the top North American defenseman in the draft. The Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers drafted Moore’s rights in May.
“Like CC, we went through a recruitment process with John,” Kitchener coach and GM Steve Spott said.
Competing against major junior hockey for top talent is a challenge, but Owens isn’t deterred.
“We want to try to get the best players in our program,” he said. “If we shy away from that, the product will diminish.”
