HW: Arizona not an Attracitve Option for Young Players

According to JackVanThomme of the Hockey Wilderness, Arizona State isn't an attractive locale for young hockey players. Really? Apparently, JackVanThomme has never been to Tempe, where they can play golf year round and never have to worry about a snow storm, unless you're visiting  Flagstaff, AZ.

I can also imagine, NCAA Division I teams will probably line up to play a series against them. I know I have had many of conversations with UND fans that want to make the trip to Tempe to see a hockey team.

Certainly, ASU is a team which has, and will continue to struggle. It's not an attractive locale for young hockey players who are typically recruited by NCAA programs. It's too warm for outdoor ice, which would complement a nascent hockey culture by giving fans another way to engage with the sport. There are also few teams in the area, leaving no interstate rivalries, and the idea of a border battle has a very different meaning in Arizona. It's not any aspiring college athlete's dream program, but the students and fans of ASU have done a wonderful job embracing their team.

Currently, while there's only two NHL players (former and current) from the state of Arizona, to suggest that it's not an attractive local is short-sighted. Apparently, someone forgot to tell the five players from Arizona currently on the ASU roster.

2 Drew Newmeyer Jr D 5-11 185 94 Scottsdale, AZ / Indiana Ice (USHL)
4 Edward McGovern So D 5-10 216 93 Scottsdale, AZ / Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
23 Jordan Young Sr D 5-11 175 92 Cave Creek, AZ / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
68 Anthony Croston Fr F 6-0 190 94 Phoenix, AZ / Rio Grande Killer Bees (NAHL)
94 Cody Gylling Fr F 5-11 185 94 Chandler, AZ / Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)

Currently, there're only two NHL players (former and current) from the state of Arizona, to suggest that it's not an attractive local is short-sighted. Youth hockey programs are springing up in all kinds of non-traditional markets. California is a perfect example of this. Apparently, someone forgot to tell the five players from Arizona currently on the ASU roster.

5 Brock Krygier Jr D 6-0 190 93 Novi, MI /  Previous College: Michigan State (2014-15)
12 Dylan Hollman Jr F 6-1 190 94 Red Deer, AB Previous College: UMass Lowell (2014-15)
14 Jake Montgomery So F 6-2 200 94 Oakdale, MN /Previous College: Omaha (2014-15)
15 Wade Murphy (NSH) Jr F 6-0 190 93 Victoria, BC / Previous College: North Dakota (2014-15)
16 Ryan Belonger Jr F 5-10 175 92 Green Bay, WI / Previous College: Northeastern (2013-14)
21 David Norris Jr F 6-2 205 93 Calgary, AB / Previous College: American International (2014-15)
74 Connor Schmidt Jr D 5-11185 93 New Boston, MI /Previous College: Ferris State (2013-14)
91 Garrett Peterson Sr F 5-11 196 91 Manhattan, IL / Previous College: Notre Dame (2014-15)