Hockey Golden Bears adapt to increased recruiting competition via NCAA

The University of Alberta Golden Bears, the best of the best Canadian university hockey teams going back to coach Clare Drake, have never had much trouble recruiting players, but that was before the NCAA came knocking on players’ doors — with fistfuls of money in hand.

Western Hockey League players who weren’t drafted by NHL teams have always flocked to the Bears, who have won 16 national titles. But, as we all know, NCAA schools are now selling more than just scholarships to come play for their teams. It’s almost like there’s signing bonuses, too, for hockey scholar-athletes.

The Bears, who are into a full-court press with the alumni preaching heavier recruiting to keep players here, have lost seven players to the NCAA, including four to Drake’s grandson Mike Gabinet at University of Ne