Brock Faber discloses why he favors American NCAA program- Source: Imagn

On the “Spittin’ Chiclets Podcast,” Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber shared his thoughts on why he chose the NCAA route over the OHL or the WHL.

Faber highlighted his preference for the American NCAA system over Canada’s WHL or OHL development leagues. He emphasized the benefits of playing in the NCAA, mentioning the intense competition and the opportunity to face top-tier opponents regularly.

“Yeah. 100% I would, you know, and it’s different, right? It’s like there’s plenty of positives of all of you know, you’re playing 30 you know, low 40s High 30 games in college, the whole year.

“So I think that obviously maybe hinders the way people look at the college hockey game if you’re NHL scout or whatever, but I think the competition is incredible, Faber said.

Brock Faber further explained that college hockey is different because of the level of competition, given that it has fewer games compared with most of the other leagues.

He praised the level of competition while playing for schools like the University of Minnesota, where players face off against first-round draft picks and physically mature opponents:

“If you’re going to a school like the University of Minnesota, you’re playing first-round picks every night.

“You’re playing guys that are 25 years old, that are physically so much more mature than you, and you’re playing against it. You’re playing in front of incredible crowds.”

The 21-year-old defenseman also highlighted the electric atmosphere of NCAA games, and, in particular, playing in front of passionate crowds.

One that particularly stood out to Faber was when they played North Dakota, and he recalled how the game felt, saying it was very intense and felt like a playoff game:

“So it’s like people kind of talk about, you know, he hasn’t played in many big games, but it’s like playing North Dakota on a Friday night in North Dakota. That’s a big physical, real playoff-style hockey game right regular season game. That was the loudest game I ever played,” he continued.

“We were at home, and Mariucci the rink holds 10,000. There was, like, 12,500. There, or some crazy. And it was the loudest I’d ever heard. The place ever. It was incredible,” Faber added.

Before his NHL draft year in 2020, Faber played for the University of Minnesota in the NCAA for three seasons.

Brock Faber inks long-term extension with Wild

Last week, the Minnesota Wild locked Brock Faber to an eight-year, $68 million extension. The contract will carry an average annual value of $8.5 million, which will commence from the 2025–26 season.

Faber was drafted No. 45 overall by the LA Kings in the 2020 NHL Draft, but the blueliner never played for the Kings. Two years after he was drafted, he was eventually traded to the Wild.

The 21-year-old closed out his rookie season with 47 points collected through eight goals and 39 assists in 82 games last season. He finished second in voting for the Calder Trophy, given to the best rookie in the league, behind Connor Bedard.