Location: When youre 7 pages behind Dont bother catching up, you will never get that time back - Codes1087 Joined: 07.26.2010
Jul 27 @ 6:40 PM ET
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. - Nighthawk
If it isnt restrictive, then why did the players try to form a union and have 3 of their 5 demands involve improvements to education?:
Speaking with Rogers Sportsnet, Clarke outlined the goals the CHLPA hoped to achieve. He stated the primary focus of the association was to improve the education packages the CHL and its member leagues offer. Specifically:
-Abolish the 12–18 month time limit a player has to utilize the current scholarship packages offered by the three leagues, making them available for up to four years
-Allow players to utilize the education package for non-university schools, including trade schools
-Apply a $1.50 ticket surcharge to all tickets sold that would fund an expanded education program
-Establish a program that would fund entrepreneurial opportunities for former players
-Grant players personality rights revenue from CHL and Hockey Canada events
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 - WhiteLie
Nice & ty. Always wise for kids to look ahead to their future but parenting surely is involved in these decisions.
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 - WhiteLie
Location: When youre 7 pages behind Dont bother catching up, you will never get that time back - Codes1087 Joined: 07.26.2010
Jul 27 @ 6:47 PM ET
Definitely a crossroads but still a choice.
HE chose poorly - Indiana Jones - Nighthawk
Agreed, but I think its unfair to make them decide at that age. Extending the period to 4 years is reasonable, especially when you think of how the players generate the revenue and interest in the league
FYI i am in a union & chose it & live with the pros & cons of my choice.
As for CHL players trying to form a union & the grievances they put forth is another matter entirely. All unions seek demands whether practical or not.
Alan Eagleson formed the NHLPA & went to jail.
Union leaders have their own agendas.
Agreed, but I think its unfair to make them decide at that age. Extending the period to 4 years is reasonable, especially when you think of how the players generate the revenue and interest in the league - WhiteLie
I disagree. At that age if no guidance too bad. Academic students face the same time frame to choose their post secondary education. Time waits for nobody. 12-18mths to choose is fine by me. Chase the dream or be practical but make an intelligent choice if incapable of making the mature choice then seek advice.
I think you are missing the point. Teams aren't intentionally not signing those players who are in college, teams CAN'T sign those players. If the player wants to finish his degree, he must stay with the college and is in illegible to sign an NHL contract. If that player decides that after the end of his degree, that he doesn't want to sign and play in the American league or for the NHL team that drafted him, it's his choice to wait until he can sign elsewhere. It's a players right, but its a right that is ridiculous as it is only offered in the NCAA route. Teams TRY and sign players in the college route, regardless if they have finished their schooling. Benning tried to pry Boeser and Demko early, and they also had talks with Gaudette to sign but he decided to go back for another year.
RE: 4-5 years after they are drafted. Depending on the length of the program/degree, 4 to 5 years of college is pretty standard to get a degree lol - Codes1087
Sorry for the delayed response. You are right a player can choose to not enter the NHL until they finish their degree. That is different than saying a team cannot sign a player in college.
Teams can and do all the time, what it does mean is the player cannot be signed by an NHL team and play for the college.
Players that " choose " to finish their degree are not good enough or are too small etc. that their teams are not offering them a contract at 19-21.
This is why we rarely see 1st round picks who are committed to the NCAA finish their degree. Their NHL team believes they are ready within a few years, like their CHL counterparts, for pro hockey and offer them a contract.
I'm willing to bet had Poille offered Vesey a contract after 2 years at Harvard the kid jumps at it. They ( or more specifically their agents) understand that finishing a degree means at best they are signing a lucrative contract when they are 24-25. That's a lot of years of salary to give for a degree, a player could probably save half of their first ELC and go finish their degree whenever they want/ leave pro hockey.
Sorry for the delayed response. You are right a player can choose to not enter the NHL until they finish their degree. That is different than saying a team cannot sign a player in college.
Teams can and do all the time, what it does mean is the player cannot be signed by an NHL team and play for the college.
Players that " choose " to finish their degree are not good enough or are too small etc. that their teams are not offering them a contract at 19-21.
This is why we rarely see 1st round picks who are committed to the NCAA finish their degree. Their NHL team believes they are ready within a few years, like their CHL counterparts, for pro hockey and offer them a contract.
I'm willing to bet had Poille offered Vesey a contract after 2 years at Harvard the kid jumps at it. They ( or more specifically their agents) understand that finishing a degree means at best they are signing a lucrative contract when they are 24-25. That's a lot of years of salary to give for a degree, a player could probably save half of their first ELC and go finish their degree whenever they want/ leave pro hockey. - belcherbd
Agents are not allowed either or they lose amateur status.
Location: When youre 7 pages behind Dont bother catching up, you will never get that time back - Codes1087 Joined: 07.26.2010
Jul 27 @ 9:11 PM ET
Good point. Can a player's family consult an agent for advice?
Edit.
From what I can tell there is no rule stating a player cannot have an agent, but a player cannot accept financial compensation from an agent. - belcherbd
They are called "family advisors" but in reality they are agents with NHL clients already, all to satisfy the NCAA rules
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 - WhiteLie
Yeah. The difference for the NCAA player is if he leaves to sign an ELC he still keeps his student status at the college completing courses around hockey. But now gets paid more then enough to afford to pay for it. That NHL contract is worth the price of leaving the scholarship to pursue career opportunity.
If they don't get the offer they need they complete their eduction. Graduate with degree and then try to pursue hockey career. It's a much better path to guaranteeing you something if hockey doesn't work out.
Sorry for the delayed response. You are right a player can choose to not enter the NHL until they finish their degree. That is different than saying a team cannot sign a player in college.
Teams can and do all the time, what it does mean is the player cannot be signed by an NHL team and play for the college.
Players that " choose " to finish their degree are not good enough or are too small etc. that their teams are not offering them a contract at 19-21.
This is why we rarely see 1st round picks who are committed to the NCAA finish their degree. Their NHL team believes they are ready within a few years, like their CHL counterparts, for pro hockey and offer them a contract.
I'm willing to bet had Poille offered Vesey a contract after 2 years at Harvard the kid jumps at it. They ( or more specifically their agents) understand that finishing a degree means at best they are signing a lucrative contract when they are 24-25. That's a lot of years of salary to give for a degree, a player could probably save half of their first ELC and go finish their degree whenever they want/ leave pro hockey. - belcherbd
It's a per basis issue for players leaving NCAA early. The big enticer is burning a year of ELC after college season is over to play NHL games. You are right that salary years or more to to it ELC time play the bigger role.
So yes, the better players are lured out early with promises of playing in the NHL like BB. Then like GD burning ELC earlier to make the big money. Yes those drafted players that choose to stay to graduation may have for different reasons. Development time. Personal factors etc and are leveraging their options going into final year. Leaving the NHL team powerless to stop it if they choose to do so. Why the slight panic over Demko before he signed.
Location: Be Calm n Swede On, BC Joined: 09.23.2015
Jul 27 @ 10:37 PM ET
150%. We have a family friend here in Victoria and their two sons have both been drafted by NHL clubs. Nolan De Jong and Brenden De Jong. Nolan was drafted by Minnesota but is attending Michigan. Brenden was drafted by Carolina and is playing for the Portland Winterhawks. From the info that I have gathered, there is no way in hell I would ever let my kid choose the CHL route, billet close to the CHL team that drafted me, ride the bus for 10 hours a day, and not give post secondary education a thought. College route 100% - Codes1087
the CHL does pay for post secondary after the players have completed their 4 yrs , so there is an education bonus in the CHL as well its just deferred until after eligibility years are used up
