Colin Dambrauskas: Jankowski Chooses NCAA; Is It The Right Choice?

Given how this kid needs a lot of development 4 years at the NCAA level might be best.

It'll be years before he makes an impact, if at all, at the NHL level.

good read colin.. nicely done when comparing the two leagues

one thing i think college provides is a maturity level just not seen out of the junior ranks. there may be more talent in junior, but for the most part.. the guys coming out of college are more mentally prepared for life as a pro

Awesome writeup man, I thought CHL for sure so he wouldn't get hurt as easy by the bigger players, and he can develop and dominate in the CHL in the NCAA you have to earn your spot and minutes and it's alot harder with older players already on the team etc... I hope for the best though.

It'll be years before he makes an impact, if at all, at the NHL level.
- LeftCoaster

A very rare negative comment from leftcoaster... odd.

Awesome writeup man, I thought CHL for sure so he wouldn't get hurt as easy by the bigger players, and he can develop and dominate in the CHL in the NCAA you have to earn your spot and minutes and it's alot harder with older players already on the team etc... I hope for the best though.
- wolfos412

The problem with the CHL is the guy can't get the length of development needed. At least in the NCAA he gets 4 years then a couple years of AHL action of needed. Going the CHL route if you are any good you'll be gone off waivers after 4 or 5 years.

Not the best route for every player, but in this case I think it works.

The problem with the CHL is the guy can't get the length of development needed. At least in the NCAA he gets 4 years then a couple years of AHL action of needed. Going the CHL route if you are any good you'll be gone off waivers after 4 or 5 years.

Not the best route for every player, but in this case I think it works.
- Lahey

I can see it as slow development at first then faster development as each year goes and he gets more ice time and resposibility etc.

A very rare negative comment from leftcoaster... odd.
- wolfos412

Not negative, just realistic view because he's sooooo young and undeveloped at this point. Guy could turn out to be the next Joe Nieuwendyk, but it's gonna take time before it happens is all.

The problem with the CHL is the guy can't get the length of development needed. At least in the NCAA he gets 4 years then a couple years of AHL action of needed. Going the CHL route if you are any good you'll be gone off waivers after 4 or 5 years.

Not the best route for every player, but in this case I think it works.
- Lahey

I can see the pros and cons to both routes...CHL gives more games and possibly more ice time. Playing with players who are closer in age and at the same maturation level.

But, as Dozzer noted, the NCAA would certainly provide a player with a stronger set of developmental tools to step into a professional role, whereas the CHL may be looked at as more juvenile.

For Mark, I think he could do well in either scenario, but given his need to strengthen his body moreso than his game...the NCAA route may be wiser.

The problem with the CHL is the guy can't get the length of development needed. At least in the NCAA he gets 4 years then a couple years of AHL action of needed. Going the CHL route if you are any good you'll be gone off waivers after 4 or 5 years.

Not the best route for every player, but in this case I think it works.
- Lahey

I think they should raise the draft eligible age for the NHL back up to 19 years old. Some of these kids are just not ready mentally or physically coming out of the CHL. The NCAA is much better in that respect! What it doesn't offer them is an 80 game schedule to play as much hockey as possible.

I think they should raise the draft eligible age for the NHL back up to 19 years old. Some of these kids are just not ready mentally or physically coming out of the CHL. The NCAA is much better in that respect! What it doesn't offer them is an 80 game schedule to play as much hockey as possible.
- LeftCoaster

Although, it allows them to develop mentally given that they only play on the weekends...hence the reason they play half as many games than in the CHL.

At their age, its nice to know they fully attend their schooling while training. Look at most guys who went to the CHL...how many of them do you think attented atleast 50% of their classes...I understand their goal isnt to obtain a degree or what have you, but developing mentally is very important as well.

Not negative, just realistic view because he's sooooo young and undeveloped at this point. Guy could turn out to be the next Joe Nieuwendyk, but it's gonna take time before it happens is all.
- LeftCoaster

I agree it will take years, but the 'if at all' part seemed a bit doom and gloom.

good read colin.. nicely done when comparing the two leagues

one thing i think college provides is a maturity level just not seen out of the junior ranks. there may be more talent in junior, but for the most part.. the guys coming out of college are more mentally prepared for life as a pro
- Dozzer

Thanks!

Seems like I may need to keep you refs a bit closer after yesterdays debacle.

Thanks!

Seems like I may need to keep you refs a bit closer after yesterdays debacle.
- Colin Dambrauskas

?? What did I miss?

Although, it allows them to develop mentally given that they only play on the weekends...hence the reason they play half as many games than in the CHL.

At their age, its nice to know they fully attend their schooling while training. Look at most guys who went to the CHL...how many of them do you think attented atleast 50% of their classes...I understand their goal isnt to obtain a degree or what have you, but developing mentally is very important as well.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I played in the WHL for three years. Attended all my high school classes when not playing and took some university classes as a 19 year old. When I finished playing I attended university fully prepared and graduated, paid for by the CHL, as a Mechanical Engineer. I had no issues what so ever and neither did a lot of the guys I played with.

I agree it will take years, but the 'if at all' part seemed a bit doom and gloom.
- wolfos412

I could say the same thing about Nicklas Jensen or Brendan Gaunce of the Canucks, they may never make the NHL as first round picks. Just the reality of it.

?? What did I miss?
- wolfos412

We had an Oilers fan who thought his trolling attempts were funny...to sum it up.

I played in the WHL for three years. Attended all my high school classes when not playing and took some university classes as a 19 year old. When I finished playing I attended university fully prepared and graduated, paid for by the CHL, as a Mechanical Engineer. I had no issues what so ever and neither did a lot of the guys I played with.
- LeftCoaster

You played in the WHL? Nice man, what's your name I can google you up. I have a couple relatives that went a bit far, my cousin played for Kitchener Rangers a bit but at 6'-3" couldn't put on more than 150lbs of weight so they didn't use him. (High metabolism) My uncle (his dad) went to Boston College and Floyd Crawford would phone my grandma every day for a month asking about him but in the end he didn't want to leave home so he came back to Stirling, Ontario.

I played in the WHL for three years. Attended all my high school classes when not playing and took some university classes as a 19 year old. When I finished playing I attended university fully prepared and graduated, paid for by the CHL, as a Mechanical Engineer. I had no issues what so ever and neither did a lot of the guys I played with.
- LeftCoaster

Difference is, though, the guys who make the NHL arent cant say the same

I knew Doughty before he took off for Guelph, and with the amount of travel and games I very much doubt he got too much schooling completed.

We had an Oilers fan who thought his trolling attempts were funny...to sum it up.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I seriously thought he was banned... I should have stayed on longer, he usually directs his banter at me...

We had an Oilers fan who thought his trolling attempts were funny...to sum it up.
- Colin Dambrauskas

All Mighty Oil? Ya he altered his account or something right?

We had an Oilers fan who thought his trolling attempts were funny...to sum it up.
- Colin Dambrauskas

An Oiler fan trolling in a Flames thread?

I just can't believe that something like this would happen.

An Oiler fan trolling in a Flames thread?

I just can't believe that something like this would happen.
- Lahey

I seriously thought he was banned... I should have stayed on longer, he usually directs his banter at me...
- geta02it

Hes gone for a long time