Comments on: Prospect Pulse: The Right Path

By: Kyle Spencer

Kyle Spencer — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:25:00 +0000

I think that is a great post. People often make the argument that only a small % of players make NHL so the NCAA route gives them a back up plan. As this post identifies the CHL also provides scholarships to University.

I would also say that it likely quite difficult for NCAA players to give their classwork the focus it deserves while at the same time giving full commitment to the hockey side of things. I’m sure it can be done, but if your primary goal and passion is to make the NHL then your focus needs to be on hockey. In the same regard if your primary goal and passion is to get the most out of your degree your focus needs to be on your classes. I’d bet that a very small % of NCAA players come out saying they feel they feel they they gave their all to both hockey & education. I’m not sure what the downside is of taking your shot at the NHL and if you make it great, if not still in your early 20′s with a scholarship in your pocket & your whole life ahead of you & you can give full focus to what your passion will be now that your pro hockey days are behind you. Life goes on & a free University education is definitely not a bad consolation prize.

As ICKyle says different leagues are better for different players depending on where they are at in their development as a player. But if you are ready to play & you want to make the NHL it’s a pretty easy decision – the CHL is hands down the best route to the NHL. If you choose the CHL route & don’t make the big show (which most don’t) you can still end up with an education, and at least you’re allowed to have a summer job and earn some beer…errr…pocket money for the year without breaking any NCAA scholarship rules.

By: ICdave

ICdave — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:14:00 +0000

He also asked me to throw up a Bison Schedule so here it is;

http://www.gobisons.ca/index.php?page=team_schedule&sport=hockey_m

By: ICdave

ICdave — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:09:00 +0000

One of the guys from the Jets HF Boards made this point which I thought was worth sharing with our readers:

From Hollywood3:

One aspect often overlooked is that the CHL offers scholarships which in
many respects are superior to those offered by the NCAA.

I follow the Manitoba Bisons very closely (check my Bison Thread
on these very forums) and in Canada West the vast majority of players
on the leading teams are WHL grads playing on scholarships earned
playing major junior hockey. Players get a year of scholarship for every
year of major junior played. This can be better than an NCAA deal
because:

- NCAA scholarships are NEVER a multi-year commitment, i.e. if a
player gets a 100% scholarship in year 1 there is no commitment that it
will be 100% in year 2 and beyond. Since US tuition can be quite high, a
player might not be able to afford the 25% or 50% which might not be
covered. This happens because scholarships are like the salary cap in
the NHL. Some conferences (or schools within a conference) have
restrictions on their number. If a program changes coaches then to
rebuild they might offer 100% to new recruits and might not care if a
3rd or 4th year player has to leave as a result.

- The CHL scholarship goes with the player. He can use it to get a
degree at a school with a hockey team, and can keep playing hockey, or
he can use it at a school which does not even have a team. Look at last
year’s list at GoBisons.ca or CanadaWest.org for a full list of the 275 players and how they utilized their scholarships.

- A CHL grad cannot lose the scholarship due to not getting along with a
coach, being cut, or being injured. Once earned, he has it to use where
he chooses. The school cannot take it from him.

- A CHL grad can even give pro hockey a try. However, every year at
Christmas time players have to make decisions as to whether to stay pro
and let their scholarships lapse or dump pro (for now) and utilize their
scholarship. Some guys figure they’ll see if they have a shot at the
AHL and if it does not look good they turn to the CIS. The Bisons always
have a player or two who has had a taste of pro hockey.