Quote:
Originally Posted by Moobles
I think he makes a valid point in that French-Canadian players are under-drafted, but I think he jumps to conclusions by saying it's discrimination. The fact that less players are drafted doesn't necessarily entail only discrimination to me but I bet in the minds of some GMs, players, staff w/e it's definitely present (implicit or explicit).
I think it definitely does expose some holes in common perceptions that get thrown around by sports-writers but it's hard to know if scouting staff and the GM's staff really think these things without interviewing them (and good luck getting a solid, reliable answer from them even if it is true...)
I disagree with him on the idea that Quebec needs a separate team to compete during the World Juniors. I think instead more exposure should be given to Quebec players by having some sort of inter-Canadian championship based on provinces or something would be more interesting and would give better exposure to French-Canadians so that more are considered for national selection.
Seems like a really interesting read though, I'll try and pick it up if it's not too expensive.
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I agree with most of this.
The word "discrimination" is probably too strong here. It might have been the case in the 50's or 60's, but I would call it a "bias" instead. It's probably not even something that scouts do consciently.
And this bias is not necessarily against French Canadian players specifically. Maybe it's more against "French Canadian players issued from the QJMHL".
But no matter why, for some reasons, scouts seem to believe that French Canadians players are too soft to play in the big league, even if they get impressive numbers. This is why players like St. Louis, Brière, Perrin, Dupuis, M-A Bergeron and Burrows got undrafted, even if they had good stats, while another small player like Corey Locke has been drafted.
And that's also why many talented French Canadian players have been ignored from the World Junior team, because the GMs seem to think that Quebec players are not build for those high intensity games. Over the years, a lot of talented French Canadian players have been ignored (Perron, Vlasic, Brassard, P. Bergeron, Beauchemin, Pominville, Vermette, etc.) The goalers are the exception here, as QJMHL expertise to produce high level goalies has always been recognized.
To call it discrimination is exagerated. Is it just the "Alexandre Daigle syndrome"? I think it's more a misconception over what the QJMHL can really produce, maybe based on an old prejudice unconsciently inherited from older generations. That said, I think those prejudices and misconceptions will slowly disappear with time, especially when we'll see a new generation of scouts and GMs take place.
In conclusion, to say that it's "discrimination" is a severe exageration. But to refute the fact that these misconceptions are existing is also blatant ignorance.