Reasons our province is failing to produce elite NHL talent

The number of Saskatchewan-born players continues to slip in the NHL, a trend that has caught the attention of players with high-end experience.  

“I think probably one of the biggest reasons for the decline is probably an increase in numbers for the rest of the world.” said Connor Hobbs, a former draft pick of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and current defensman for the Long Lake Hockey League’s Wynyard Monarchs. 

Since 1974-1975, there has been a 6.8% decrease in the number of Saskatchewan born players at the NHL level according to data from QuantHockey. 

In an interview Hobbs mentioned the lack of physicality in the modern game and how pushing back contact to later age groups takes away from the development of players. 

“When I played we had contact in Atom,” said Hobbs. “I just wonder how players are ready when they get to Midget and guys are hitting puberty and have grown.” 

During the 1974-1975 NHL season, Canadians accounted for 454 out of 501 players in the league while Saskatchewan accounted for 46 of them. 

Today, Canadians account for 380 out of 916 the league’s population, while Saskatchewan only produces 22 of those players. 

Although Saskatchewan continues to produce the most NHLers of any province on a per capita basis, the monumental lead it once held is slowly starting to lessen. 

One major advantage today’s youth have compare to that of the 1970s is the level and understanding of training. 

Countries such as the U.S. have created programs that take the best prospects from across the country and put them into a specialized plan designed to elevate them to the next level. 

Dayne Beuker, one of this provinces up-and-coming prospects, saw this program and decided to use his American citizenship to enter the United States National Team Development Program. 

Kayden Stroeder, a former teammate of Beuker on the Humboldt U15 AA Broncos and fifth overall pick in the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft commended his friend’s approach. 

“I think the U.S program that they have is very good for exposure towards more NHL scouts” said Stroeder. 

Stroeder, who recently scored six points in six games with the Edmonton Oil Kings, is one of Saskatchewan’s premier hockey prospects who looks primed to increase the province’s representation at the pro level. 

“My dad and I used to make an outdoor rink every winter,” said Stroeder. “I spent tons of hours out there.” 

Driving around Saskatchewan’s outdoor rinks today, you would be hard pressed to spot even one skater shooting around, nevertheless a group of kids playing shinny. The tendency of today’s youth to gravitate towards technology and away from physical activity sparks concern on a global scale.

Despite concerns, Saskatchewan remains a top producer of hockey talent.