Problem will always be money, the NCAA wants to make as much money off of the athletes as possible without giving them much in return save for their 'free education'. If they allowed NCAA hockey players to sign ELCs and let them slide while they were in college, the other more major sports like football, baseball and basketball players would be demanding the same thing (which to be fair, would not be a bad thing all told). Not to mention the pro teams would be demanding to have more access to their players which the NCAA would hate.
- DariusKnight

Agreed. I have more issue with NCAA (and CHL for that matter)'s treatment of players than I do the NHL's rule on college free agency. They are exploitative organizations that provide some benefits to the athletes but gain a hefty profit in comparison

it is called "free education" something US colleges give their athletes. If somebody told you that you get a degree from Harvard for free just for playing hockey. Access to top trainers, nutrition, facilities would you say no I will go to OHL and ride the school bus to my games and workout in crappy gym with broken equipment?
- Linden_4_Capt

Not all scholarships are full ride.

if I were a young kid with a promising career in hockey, there is no way I would take the CHL route over the college route. I am strictly looking at it from an education standpoint, and nothing else though.
- Codes1087

U can get an education from the WHL at least. Look into it.

more or less useless education if you attend a college and don't finish with a degree lol. I am not arguing that NCAA is worse, because I completely understand the want/need for a player to want to get a education. The likelihood of becoming an NHL regular is soo soo slim, it's smart of them to want to have a degree in something as a backup. My point is, I don't think many kids go the college route with the intention of NOT completing their degree.
- Codes1087

Kids no athletes yes.

- Marwood

I thought someone might pick up on that.

I guess that's a subject for a future blog. Short version: I think the Canucks' roster is about equal to last year after all the offseason changes + losing Burrows & Hansen. The two wild cards for next season—Travis Green and injuries.
- Carol Schram

U can get an education from the WHL at least. Look into it.
- Nighthawk

They offer money towards post secondary per year played in the WHL. Far different getting an education while playing hockey after high school and getting an education when youre 24/25

http://chl.ca/whlinfo

Thats for those who speak of education.

As for NCAA saying free education is incorrect.
My pals niece went to Penn (Ivy league) on a full ride.
She needed the grades & be a 2 sport athlete.
For her it was the hammer throw & softball.

They offer money towards post secondary per year played in the WHL. Far different getting an education while playing hockey after high school and getting an education when youre 24/25
- Codes1087

Just 1 little point to add 18yr olds r CHL & in the entry draft & highschoolers.
That goes for every player not only ones drafted into the NHL.

Just 1 little point to add 18yr olds r CHL & in the entry draft & highschoolers.
- Nighthawk

kids playing in the CHL are high schoolers absolutely. That was my point that I was saying to Linden. Kids that are drafted are 99% of the time committed to CHL/NCAA prior to being drafted.

kids playing in the CHL are high schoolers absolutely. That was my point that I was saying to Linden. Kids that are drafted are 99% of the time committed to CHL/NCAA prior to being drafted.
- Codes1087

The Bantam draft is for 16yr olds. They r not committed to NCAA.
They opt to go BCJHL like Jost for college eligibility.

http://chl.ca/whlinfo

Thats for those who speak of education.

As for NCAA saying free education is incorrect.
My pals niece went to Penn (Ivy league) on a full ride.
She needed the grades & be a 2 sport athlete.
For her it was the hammer throw & softball.
- Nighthawk

Depends on sport, school and Division. My brother is down there on 90% for his Sr. season and they arranged a job that gives him free food/board to help cover the last 10%. Started freshman year at 50%

Also CHL scholarships are a joke, its more restrictive than people know and you get 1 season to try playing pro and before it expires. There is a reason the scholarships were mentioned in the player's lawsuit against the league

kids playing in the CHL are high schoolers absolutely. That was my point that I was saying to Linden. Kids that are drafted are 99% of the time committed to CHL/NCAA prior to being drafted.
- Codes1087

Some kids commit to colleges at 15/16, years before they get drafted

Depends on sport, school and Division. My brother is down there on 90% for his Sr. season and they arranged a job that gives him free food/board to help cover the last 10%. Started freshman year at 50%

Also CHL scholarships are a joke, its more restrictive than people know and you get 1 season to try playing pro and before it expires. There is a reason the scholarships were mentioned in the player's lawsuit against the league
- WhiteLie

Its a joke? So players with no real NHL career r wasting an opportunity.

Some kids commit to colleges at 15/16, years before they get drafted
- WhiteLie

Who r these some who sign a letter of intent?

Some kids commit to colleges at 15/16, years before they get drafted
- WhiteLie

which is pretty outstanding if you think about it. How the hell can a kid commit to a college that young?

which is pretty outstanding if you think about it. How the hell can a kid commit to a college that young?
- Codes1087

That is outstanding but who of these go on to the NHL?
None i've ever heard of. Is this academic or sports?

That is outstanding but who of these go on to the NHL?
None i've ever heard of. Is this academic or sports?
- Nighthawk

I have no idea, I don't know of any examples of kids committing that young.

For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a full year guaranteed Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, to a post-secondary institution of their choice. For example, players graduating from a four-year WHL career are eligible to receive four years of scholarship funding. The WHL Scholarship, combined with additional financial assistance from Universities in Western Canada, makes the WHL – Canada West Universities joint scholarship equivalent to any other offer available in North America today

The WHL Scholarship not only encourages its graduates to pursue a post-secondary education, it also affords graduates the opportunity to continue playing hockey at an elite level in the Canadian University or College systems. Each year over 230 WHL graduates receive a WHL Scholarship.



Idk what is so restrictive about that.

Its a joke? So players with no real NHL career r wasting an opportunity.
- Nighthawk

They are forced to make a really tough decision at 20 to keep chasing the dream or not lose their scholarships. Thats what makes it a joke offer because most think they can play in the AHL making 50-70k with a shot at the big leagues and lose out on that free education.

Longshots like Dane Fox played 6 years in CHL, guarenteeing a max scholarship and its all gone. CHL got the revenue he generated and paid him nothing for it. Now he probably makes $500/month in the ECHL and definitely cannot afford to pay school on that salary

They are forced to make a really tough decision at 20 to keep chasing the dream or not lose their scholarships. Thats what makes it a joke offer because most think they can play in the AHL making 50-70k with a shot at the big leagues and lose out on that free education.

Longshots like Dane Fox played 6 years in CHL, guarenteeing a max scholarship and its all gone. CHL got the revenue he generated and paid him nothing for it. Now he probably makes $500/month in the ECHL and definitely cannot afford to pay school on that salary
- WhiteLie

Well he's not to swift is he. He made his choice & lives with it. FORCED? Hardly
At least he had the option to squander the opportunity & never had any intent to use his scholarship. Maybe thats why some teams draft smarts & not throw darts.

Who r these some who sign a letter of intent?
- Nighthawk

http://collegehockeyinc.com/commitments.php

Sort for the start date and pick a random name.

Jake Hale, age 16 now, committed to Minnesota-Duluth last September when he was 15
Ryan Helliwell, age 15 now, committed to Notre Dame last October when he was 14

It doesnt make a permanent situation, players can de-commit and teams can rescind, but a lot are thinking that far ahead

Well he's not to swift is he. He made his choice & lives with it. FORCED? Hardly
At least he had the option to squander the opportunity & never had any intent to use his scholarship. Maybe thats why some teams draft smarts & not throw darts.
- Nighthawk

Yes forced. Its a crossroads on giving up on hockey and getting an education, or betting on yourself to play at a high level in the prime of your physical condition. You lose what you earned if you dont use it, which is a joke