The decision by Flames GM Jay Feaster to pick 17 year old Mark Jankowski in this year's draft has been one of the GM’s most contentious decisions thus far. In the face of the debates regarding Feaster's choice, the lanky and inexperienced centerman has decided to take the next big step in his professional career by enrolling with the Providence College Friars.
While participating in the Flames Development Camp this past month, Jankowski demonstrated he was able to compete with certain players who were older and much more experienced than he was. The only noticeable disadvantage for Mark during camp was with respect to his build, as the 6’3 170lbs youngster hasn’t reached full maturation. As such, a few years spent in the NCAA will not only provide him the time needed to further develop his skills, but should also allow him to add some much needed muscle to his frame. Friars head coach Nate Leaman added,
"Mark is going to be playing in what I feel is the best league in the nation. He's going to be playing against a lot of other drafted players. The level of competition is extremely high. The development during practices and in strength and conditioning areas is elite. He's going to get six days a week of development."
Source: Canoe Sports, Slam! Hockey
There are certainly a few different routes that can be taken to attain the goal of playing in the NHL, and many current NHL stars came by way of the NCAA. To put things into perspective, of this year's NHL draft there were 66 current or future collegiate athletes selected. Over the last few years, it appears less Canadians have been present within the collegiate rosters as many choose to play within the CHL ranks. Many have tried to compare the two leagues and determine which is more valuable for player development, and the reality is that it depends entirely on the player.
The CHL begins recruiting its talent at a younger age than the NCAA with players ranging from 16 to 20 years of age. With the difference in age, the two leagues also share a difference in matured players, physicality and speed. Because the NCAA has older rosters, the speed of the game is much more comparable to that of the NHL as the players are much more physically developed than those playing in the CHL. While this may be important for players wanting to fast track their careers like Jankowski, the CHL provides more of a nurturing environment toward the mental side of the game.
With respect to skill level, the CHL has been noted to ice slightly more talented players than do the NCAA teams, although it can be argued that the sheer physicality and speed difference make up for this. Another large difference between the leagues are the number of games played as the CHL leagues play around 70 games whereas the NCCA leagues play around 40. A study conducted by the NCAA(ncaa.org) says senior players drafted by an NHL team have a 1 in 24 or 4.1% chance of making the NHL.
Conversely, the OHL has seen its percentage of players taken in the draft rise steadily over the last decade from an all-time low 12.1 percent in 2002 to 21.8 and 21.4 percent the last few years. An article posted within The Star on October 24th, 2009 further the notion that the CHL has been grooming better hockey players:
"I think it's cyclical," says Tim Bernhardt, the Dallas Stars' director of amateur scouting. "I can remember 10 years or so ago with the OHL, it was hard to find a player here for a couple of years. Now, in the last five, it's just so strong. It's been incredible really. It's cyclical but they are on such a long up trend right now, I guess it's to the point you question whether it is cyclical. Time will tell."
There's no shortage of theories as to why.
It may be the sheer volume of kids playing in Ontario. It could be improved coaching in the youth hockey that feeds the league. It may be that the OHL is doing a much better job of promoting its own education packages so Ontario players don't feel as tempted to go to American colleges.
"The kids aren't stupid," says broadcaster Don Cherry. "They see the quality of play, they see the education packages and they see all the first-round draft choices coming out. It's automatic."
It seems the difference between the two paths, as mentioned, depends on the player. For someone who needs to develop physically, the NCAA may be the right choice, whereas the CHL may be for someone who needs to develop their fundamental skills further. With that being said, it appears that the NCAA is the right choice for Mark as his skill set brings him on par or greater than many older prospects. Not all players develop the same way, and Jankowski is certainly looking forward to proving that the Flames made the right choice by selecting him with their first round selection. And what did assistant general manager John Weisbrod have to say?
“He’s raw, he’s young, he’s still got to cross the crocodile-infested waters and develop properly — like, it’s a long way from draft day to play in the NHL. But the physical attributes this guy has. The athleticism. The skating. The hands. The fact that he’ll likely be playing at six-four, 215.”
Source: Calgary Herald
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