NCAA - From what I understand the NCAA is very much like the NHL game. NCAA prospects have a little bit of stigma to them because they usually take an extra year or two from players in juniors to join their NHL team's systems. NCAA is noted for having a game very much like the NHL. I believe NCAA players can't play in the CHL so a lot smaller leagues like the BCHL feed into the NCAA. Players who have a stronger desire for a solid education usually go this route.
Notable Graduates: Brendan Morrison, Martin St. Louis
I've been going through a ton of prospects, and am fairly new to the whole scene.
I notice guys putting up 100 pts in the QMJHL ranked lower than those putting up 50 in the NCAA.
Can someone clarify the difference in skill and difficulty... sort of tier the different developmental leagues?
This usually leads to passionate debates but I'm always interested to read people's opinions on this. From what I understand from the stereotypes.
The WHL, QMJHL, and OHL are part of a bigger association known as the CHL or Canadian Junior League. This is the major or highest level of juniors in North America and what people are referring too when they talk about "juniors". There's also other smaller but notable junior leagues out there such as the BCHL or British Columbia Hockey League.
WHL - Defensive tough league with a emphasis on strong defensive play. A lot of decent defenseman, grinders, and occasionally strong offensive players come of the Dub.
Notable Graduates - Jarome Ignila, Dion Phaneuf
QMJHL - Offense first league with a emphasis on the run and gun. A lot of high scoring players come out of this league
Notable Graduates - Mario Lemeuix, Sidney Crosby
OHL - All-Around League. I honestly don't know much about the OHL but I guess it's reputation is that it's solid for it's all around play.
Notable Graduates - I'm not sure
AHL - The AHL is the minor leagues for NHL teams. Players who aren't yet ready for the NHL or who aren't good enough for the NHL get sent there.
Notable Graduates: Olaf Kolzig, Brett Hull
NCAA - From what I understand the NCAA is very much like the NHL game. NCAA prospects have a little bit of stigma to them because they usually take an extra year or two from players in juniors to join their NHL team's systems. NCAA is noted for having a game very much like the NHL. I believe NCAA players can't play in the CHL so a lot smaller leagues like the BCHL feed into the NCAA. Players who have a stronger desire for a solid education usually go this route.
Notable Graduates: Brendan Morrison, Martin St. Louis
The age difference between the CHL and the NCAA is not as pronounced as some would have you believe. I often chuckle when I read "24 year old players in the NCAA vs 15 and 16 year olds in the CHL"
Boston College, Minnesota and Michigan all had average ages of under 21. North Dokata was 21 exactly. The Plymouth Whalers average 19 exactly. We are only talking about two years difference..
Look at the teams that win the NCAAs every year though. Age is a factor within the NCAA itself. Wisconsin last year. Earl. Burrish, Gilbert, Likens, Elliot, McMurchy all upperclassmen 11 total. Thats was a lot of 83-85 borns. Mich St 5 seniors and 7 juniors i think. 11 upperclassmen for BC. The gophers had 2 seniors and 6 juniors. Those juniors include Solei who never saw the ice and Pohl who onlt played because of injuries. Wonder who made it the furtherst? The teams with the upperclaamen leadership. In five years though what team on paper will have looked better. Age is a huge factor. Even one year when talking about teens and early 20s makes a huge difference.
B.C.'s average age is less than 21, similiar to that of Minnesota. Last year they were even younger (youngest in the NCAA) with an average age of 20 yet they made it to the finals both years.
How is it flawed???
The Best 19 year olds in CANADA cant blow out 23-24 year olds who likely wont play any higher than the ECHL...
It is about AGE...the age factor is huge.
B.C.'s average age is less than 21, similiar to that of Minnesota. Last year they were even younger (youngest in the NCAA) with an average age of 20 yet they made it to the finals both years.
Well I disagree that the best 19 year olds arent better then the average 23-24 year olds to start with..........Next........dont forget that the CHL also has 20 year olds that arent allowed in the tourney........Now im wondering what the average age for players in the NCAA are because I dont think its anywhere near 23-24 im guessing closer to 19.
http://www.collegehockeynews.com/almanac/player-birthday.phpNow im wondering what the average age for players in the NCAA are because I dont think its anywhere near 23-24 im guessing closer to 19.
How many CHL teams have:
- An average age of about 21...and have 12 draft picks like BC?
- Even an average age of about 20 with about 17 draft picks and 4+ first round picks for both UND and Minnesota?
That isn't a valid CHL/NCAA comparison since a large portion of the rosters of CHL teams are made up of players not yet old enough to be drafted.
1. NHL (80-100)
2. AHL (70-90)
3. NCAA (50-85)
4. USNTDP (65-80)
4. CHL's (55-80)
5. USHL (50-75)
6. BCHL (45-75)
7. AAA Midget (45-70)
8. Other Canadian Junior A (40-65)
9. MSHSL (25-65)
Far more CHL produced players are playing in the NHL right now than are former NCAA players.
Valid...but again that's part of the story here...players in the CHL aren't ready to be drafted.
OK so how many CHL teams can look back and say that at one point they had 4+ kids that went on to be 1st round picks (another 4 or so second round picks and yet another 8 or so that went on to be drafted in later rounds). Even then, remember most of these CHL picks in this scenario aren't even 18 yet...and their level of play in theory is less than 18-20 yos who are drafted and in the NCAAs.
Yeah, I knew I wouldn't be the best person at choosing the numbers, but the system is the key. As for the USNTDP, the range should be quite narrow and decent enough that they can beat some NCAA teams regularly, yet lose to other teams regularly ...so whatever that would be.Exiled, I like the approach...but IMO you may want to work the numbers a bit more. You've got the majority of USHL and BCHL players at the same level and the USNTDP technically better than the NCAA...which I think is 'extremely generous'. That's regardless of the fact that I (and it appears most others) don't agree that the NCAA and CHL are at the same level.
But it was guys like Boyle, Ginota and Collins all older players that stepped it up. If Porter was not on NoDaks team it would not have been the same. Its upper classmen leadership and older role players that help win championships. And still two years is huge.
The Team Canada U20 team can not beat a CIS team handily...what more proof do you need? You can skew the facts all you want but at the end of the day, the U20 Team Canada guys cant blow out a CIS team.
Check the summary for the B.C. - N.Dokata game. You will find that underclassmen like Toews, Bertram, Chorney and Motherwell were instrumental. These are all young players. For MSU, LERG, SUCHARSKI, KENNEDY, ABDELKADER and MUELLER were all underclassmen and under the age of 21 (meaning they would have been eligible to play in the CHL this year) and were absolutely pivotal in the MSU championship.
Once again, team Canada does not represent the entire best of the CHL. Secondly Team Canada has a winning record against CIS all star teams and have on occasion blown them out of the water. It should also be noted that in the past CIS all star teams have beaten NCAA select teams.