Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Krangers08]

My Biggest fear would be Lam leaving for NCAA the summer of the 2027 run

 

[EvenSteven]

My Biggest fear would be Lam leaving for NCAA the summer of the 2027 run

I suspect that if Lam was an education first player, at his size, he would’ve kept his NCAA eligibility open and not reported here at all. The fact he did report here last year, assuming he burned his eligibility, tells me he likely plays out the string here as a Ranger.

 

[rangersblues]

My Biggest fear would be Lam leaving for NCAA the summer of the 2027 run

There's no reason for an OHL player to jump to the NCAA if he is developing in the OHL. I think they'll only make the jump if they're stagnant in the OHL. The NCAA opportunity is always there after they're done in the OHL.

 

[RB76]

The average age to enter the NHL is increasing. Although exceptional talent will always be able to transition early, most will require 1-4yrs to develop the strength and skills required to ever play pro.

IMO the NCAA education, experience and development model where they play less and train more makes immense sense for the majority of players.

No need to rush the process, enjoy the ride of playing for a Memorial Cup and a NCAA Championship and when you're ready the NHL teams will call.

 

[Ref Hannah]

My Biggest fear would be Lam leaving for NCAA the summer of the 2027 run

I'd only be concerned if a player is taking high school courses designed to transfer directly to NCAA. I doubt any of our players are. Well, maybe one I'd guess. But since he hasn't played a game yet I'm wondering if he stays if the vote later this month doesn't change?

 

[Ref Hannah]

There's no reason for an OHL player to jump to the NCAA if he is developing in the OHL. I think they'll only make the jump if they're stagnant in the OHL. The NCAA opportunity is always there after they're done in the OHL.

I don't know. If I am a player with legit NCAA size and skill, I maybe more interested in getting to college earlier than later? 24 year old college graduate just starting into the workforce?
Not to mention strategic timing for an NCAA roster. It maybe a college need based incentive vs a player preference.
Lots to consider!

 

[Kitchna]

I don't know. If I am a player with legit NCAA size and skill, I maybe more interested in getting to college earlier than later? 24 year old college graduate just starting into the workforce?
Not to mention strategic timing for an NCAA roster. It maybe a college need based incentive vs a player preference.
Lots to consider!

We should not forget about the power of NIL in all of this. There are plenty of kids at US colleges raking in lots of money from NIL agreements.

 

[djscooter]

We should not forget about the power of NIL in all of this. There are plenty of kids at US colleges raking in lots of money from NIL agreements.

And none of them play hockey

 

[Kitchna]

And none of them play hockey

You sure about that:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1775351209609560176

 

[Straightshot2424]

The average age to enter the NHL is increasing. Although exceptional talent will always be able to transition early, most will require 1-4yrs to develop the strength and skills required to ever play pro.

IMO the NCAA education, experience and development model where they play less and train more makes immense sense for the majority of players.

No need to rush the process, enjoy the ride of playing for a Memorial Cup and a NCAA Championship and when you're ready the NHL teams will call.

 

[djscooter]

You sure about that:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1775351209609560176

Unless the NIL is more money then the signing bonus on an ELC, it won't be a deciding factor in where a elite prospect player ends up in my opinion. There's plenty of other factors that will impact players routes to the pro level, but NIL is not going to be the push people think it will be for hockey players.

 

[leafs4life94]

Specifically for Canadian kids NIL deals are largely irrelevant. I read about it during March Madness where Zach Edey (Canadian, one of the top players in the NCAA for those unaware) said he barely got any NIL money because he's in the US on a student visa, so he wasn't allowed to generate any income aside from jersey sales.

Colleges might use NIL as a way to keep Americans, but I don't think they'll be able to use it as a bargaining chip for Canadians.

 

[rangersblues]

I don't know. If I am a player with legit NCAA size and skill, I maybe more interested in getting to college earlier than later? 24 year old college graduate just starting into the workforce?
Not to mention strategic timing for an NCAA roster. It maybe a college need based incentive vs a player preference.
Lots to consider!

This scenario would mean that their hockey development has likely gone stagnant if they're thinking of graduating and getting into the work force.

 

[Ward Cornell]

If their hockey development has stagnated then the NCAA school would offer the scholarship to a player that hasn't stagnated. There are just so many scholarships available, plus different grades of scholarships.
IMHO, that player would be better off in the OHL and using the scholarships provided by the OHL.

 

[GeoBlue]

Nice little feature on Romano.........

NHL Draft Inside Take: Luca Romano - Ontario Hockey League

A relentless worker who is always in the mix offensively, Luca Romano has helped the Kitchener Rangers string together nine consecutive wins

chl.ca

 

[Ref Hannah]

If their hockey development has stagnated then the NCAA school would offer the scholarship to a player that hasn't stagnated. There are just so many scholarships available, plus different grades of scholarships.
IMHO, that player would be better off in the OHL and using the scholarships provided by the OHL.

Tons of changes coming. No more limits on numbers of full scholarships. Also the NLI is now gone. The agreement looks to be now more of a profit sharing contract.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

This vote that will happen at the D1 NCAA meeting in November might be the trigger that has more of these players jumping into the CHL this year. I’m not sure when in November this meeting is to take place, but it’s something worth keeping an eye on.

As far as Valentini goes, you’d have to think with the ice time he’d be getting here this year on a young Rangers team, he’d be among the OHL rookie point leaders. That puts him ahead of his point totals in Chicago. I don’t know what his minutes are in Chicago, but he’d have no trouble getting minutes this year in Kitchener.

And his parents could see him play every home game....

 

[EvenSteven]

And his parents could see him play every home game....

And extended family. Everyone’s situation is different. But it’s a lot easier for parents, grandparents, etc to get to home games an hour’s drive away than to games an 8+ hour drive away.

 

[Kitchna]

Unless the NIL is more money then the signing bonus on an ELC, it won't be a deciding factor in where a elite prospect player ends up in my opinion. There's plenty of other factors that will impact players routes to the pro level, but NIL is not going to be the push people think it will be for hockey players.

I would be shocked if the signing bonuses for most OHL players are worth much. I was saying it was something to consider for players not any sort of guarantee. If one or two players leave before they are in there 19-year-old season, the teams will certainly feel it. If I was a mid-level OHL player with the chance to earn $100K US in hockey, I would be headed south of the border. At the moment, foreign kids are screwed but much like every other silly NCAA rule that is challenged in the courts, this one will eventually fall as well.

 

[RangerNation]

And extended family. Everyone’s situation is different. But it’s a lot easier for parents, grandparents, etc to get to home games an hour’s drive away than to games an 8+ hour drive away.

This is why Vuks reported to Kitchener. People love saying it's $$ but in reality, they are kids, and some of them miss home/family.