Sept 30, 2008: CAnadian Major Junior A vs. American College
by John Russo Lets Play Hockey Columist

The “competition” for players between major junior hockey teams in Canada and U.S. Division I Colleges has heated up dramatically over the past couple of years.

In Canada, Jr. A teams are only those in the three primary Junior leagues – the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec League (QJHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL). These leagues represent the “top end” for so-called amateur players in Canada, 16 through 21 years old.

In the U.S., the top end amateurs progress through Jr. A hockey (considered “Tier II” by Canadian Jr. A leagues and the NCAA), then on to the Division I Universities and Colleges. The Division I players range from 17 through 24 years old, depending upon when they enter college.

Over the past few years, the number of players and administrative personnel in the NHL coming through the U.S. Division I teams has increased to the point that the Canadian Major Jr. leagues are now recruiting much harder to keep Canadian players in junior hockey — and to even attract more American players to these leagues.

To some degree, for Canada, it is a matter of national pride. Currently, a little over 50 percent of the players in the NHL came from the Canadian Jr. A ranks. Approximately 25 percent came through the College ranks. Some of these collegians are, in fact, Canadian, but increasingly the large majority of players on the top U.S. college teams are American.

There is more than national pride at stake, however.  The NHL pays substantial “development” fees to the Canadian Jr. A leagues for players that make it to the NHL. No such development fees are paid to U.S. Colleges or to American Jr. A teams as they are in Canada. NHL monies funneled into Canada reportedly are dramatically higher than what is provided for the sport in the U.S.

It may be hard to determine in any given year whether or not the aggressive recruiting by Canadian Jr. A teams (CHL) has resulted in more top players playing in the Canadian Jr. A ranks rather than U.S. Colleges. There could simply be other factors. Looking at the 2008 stats, however, does show a definite trend that concerns U.S. coaches.

The U.S. College Hockey teams, through their Hockey Commissioners Association have recently put out a brochure that they hope will provide better advice to the young players that are making the CHL vs. College choice. The college teams contend that the young players are being pressured — and with bad information from the CHL.

The “summary” quote from the College brochure clearly states their overall case: “Talented hockey players can make it to the NHL through both the NCAA or Major Jr. options. Numbers show that the number of collegians is on the rise, as are the number of college-bred NHL general managers and directors of player personnel. The decision-makers are increasingly former college players. While the CHL has made strides to provide some academic assistance, CHL teams are not in the education business. NCAA institutions are.”

The NCAA is trying to make the point that education and hockey development do go together; and that the CHL does not provide well for players’ educations, or even for their proper social and life-long development. A look at the facts and statistics bears this out. First a look at (college produced) statistics.

Comparisons (on an average team)

                                                NCAA      CHL

Number of Roster Players       28            25

Number making NHL               .5             1

Graduate from College             23.5         4

Do not graduate College          4              20

While Canadian Jr. A teams do offer college education monies, it is limited based on number of years played on a CHL team and for limited schools and costs. Attending college classes while playing major Jr. A is difficult at best due to schedules and extensive travel — as well as lack of easily available colleges. The statistics of only four college graduates per team bears out the point.

Having 20 players out of 25 not make the NHL and not get a college degree is a pretty negative item for Canadian Jr. A teams.

The U.S. Colleges want young players to know the true facts and statistics before they make an early commitment —often at 16 years of age. Once a young player signs any kind of contract with a Canadian Jr. A (CHL) team or hires an agent to work with him in this regard, he is ineligible to play U.S. College hockey —he is considered a professional.

The pressure to commit to Canadian (CHL) junior is severe for many young players. The “insinuations” as to potential for making it to the NHL are often strong — even though the odds are very low at 4 percent. U.S. College coaches, on the other hand, are offering a lesser chance at the NHL (2 percent), but a better long term “life” success through a college degree.

As I always have, I still fall on the side of the College hockey choice. I fall even harder on the side of the U.S.-born player staying and playing U.S. College hockey. The accommodations, travel, environment, personal development and nearly every aspect of development for a young man is better on a campus team than on a junior team where travel, trades and owner profit (Jr. A teams are for-profit organizations) are the driving factors.

Young players faced with the choice need to look over the facts and statistics carefully.  The NCAA brochure is a must read. It is available from Hockey Commissioners Association (781-245-2122).

I have been biased towards the American player in U.S. College hockey for a long time — and have seen the percentages of Americans grow very nicely over the past couple of decades. Personally, I’d be willing to let Canada have all of their own players for Jr. A hockey and the U.S. stick to the USHL (Jr. A) and other U.S. Jr. leagues,  then College hockey for their players. We would be way ahead in my opinion.

It is probably not going to happen that way, however. Canadian youngsters want to go to U.S. Colleges. American youngsters want to play Jr. A in Canada, so the competition heats up.

However, I say — give them the true facts. No big emotional appeals by former NHLers. Tell these 16 year old kids the truth, then let them decide.

John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and director of the UpperMidwestHigh School Elite League. He was a captain at the University of Wisconsin, and his Coaches’ Corner columns have appeared in LPH since 1986.