By Vincent Harvey

Publié le 16 juin 2026

Every year a dozen of young talented hockey players of Quebec leave their home to go pursue their dreams in the U.S.  

At first, it can seem like a normal step in a competitive sport. However, this growing trend raises an important question: does Quebec still provide the environment needed to develop elite players?  

You all know that we love hockey a lot in Quebec, but many athletes think that staying in Quebec means taking some delay. 

First, the American development system is proposing a more flexible and better organized structure. According to the NCAA, college hockey allows athletes to combine a high gameplay of competition with study, which gives a major advantage. A study published in the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics highlights that the American program favours the long-term development for athletes before the right-now performance. On the other hand, the Quebecois system is centering on minor leagues like the Ligue de hockey junior Maritimes Québec (LHJMQ) that keeps pushing the players to compete professionally at a young age. Sometimes at the expense of their academic progress. This difference makes the American program more attractive for family that is looking to ensure the athletic and academic success. 

Moreover, visibility plays a key role. Prep schools and American Leagues attract more recruiters from the National Hockey League and university programs. An old Quebecois player once said: “in the US, you are more often seen by the right person. This is not only a talent question, but a visibility one.” This testimony highlights a structural problem: even though Quebec produces good players, they don't always have the same opportunities of being seen. So, flying right to the US is a strategic choice. 

On a personal level, I look at this phenomenon and notice many players of my region choosing to go to American program, not because they don't like hockey anymore, but to maximize their chance of success. This creates a form of drains of talent. Where Quebec invests in youth training but loses them at a key time of their development. Yet, this situation is not inevitable. Quebec could improve their system by further integrating study and sport and developing stronger partnerships with universities.   

In conclusion, although Quebec stays in a place that plays a lot of hockey, this model of development is no longer sufficient on its own. Young hockey players don't choose USA: they adapt to a system that offers them better opportunities. If Quebec wishes to keep its talent, they will evolve. Otherwise, the question will not be whether the players would leave, but rather would they stay.