NCAA / CHL Lawsuit

[UNB Bruins Fan]

NS native Luke Woodworth (Drummondville) has committed to Omaha

 

[Lakeheadfan95]

For example, if the MJHL and SJHL both stand to lose a few of the weaker teams as a result of this, could we see the leagues merge with the remaining teams? Schedules could still be weighted to intra-divisional play to reduce the amount of travel overall. I could see the same with other leagues close to each other like CCHL/OJHL, NOJHL/SIJHL, BCHL/AJHL, LHJAAQ/MHL.

I don't think their is a possible way for the si and noj to merge the travel would be brutal no way a team from Kenora or red Lake is travelling to timmins

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

It seems that athletics at the university level in Canada take a back seat to academics.....imagine that.
I brought this up because believe it or not, there is some "talk" (none coming from any University administrators however) about the potential for some U-Sports teams to look at joining the NCAA but as you've said, no way they could do so due to budgetary constraints.

That's not entirely accurate.

US Colleges see athletics as a way to recruit students and attract donors. And, there is a lot of data to support that, which is why you see US schools so aggressively pursuing a bigger/better Div I Football Conference. Football success increases applications, and athletic success brings donations.

Sacred Heart is a private university ... if you look at that new hockey facility, it's design is as much about attracting alumni and donors as it is about the hockey.

In Canada there is no such culture. Outside of a few unique programs (e.g. McGill hockey, Western Football), few donations pour in to support specific programs. Part of that is because we don't have private university in Canada, and we also have greater government support, and part of it is that most university students just don't support their athletic teams. It's not part of the culture.

But it's not fair to say that US colleges prioritize athletics over academics ... it's just that they see athletics as the fastest / best way to support their academics.

I don't think their is a possible way for the si and noj to merge the travel would be brutal no way a team from Kenora or red Lake is travelling to timmins

This is true. If SIJHL teams wanted to merge with anyone, the MJHL makes infinitely more sense. In fact, there was once a Kenora team in the MJHL.

 

[jetsmooseice]

I don't think their is a possible way for the si and noj to merge the travel would be brutal no way a team from Kenora or red Lake is travelling to timmins

Sure. It's not so much about which specific leagues will merge with each other, that can be worked out, but rather the idea that there will be an overall reduction in the number of junior A leagues.

 

[AUS Fan]

"Outside of a few unique programs (e.g. McGill hockey, Western Football), few donations pour in to support specific programs."

Yup. DAL has hundreds of lawyers and doctors as alumni and they give nothing back to the school.

While I'm not a huge fan of Boosters, in NCAA football they pour millions into their alma mater.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

Sure. It's not so much about which specific leagues will merge with each other, that can be worked out, but rather the idea that there will be an overall reduction in the number of junior A leagues.

There are far too many Jr. A teams, agreed, but not too many leagues. Each Jr. A league can certainly stand to lose a couple of teams (the SJ and MJ should each be around 8-10 teams), as that will raise the quality, but each league is geographically separate. Merging the SJHL and MJHL (for example) would serve little purpose other than to increase travel costs.

 

[AUS Fan]

FYI - Of the 27 committed players who left BCHL or USHL for the CHL, 12 have gone to QMJHL, 8 to OHL and 7 to WHL.

 

[bungdropper]

Cross these CHL OAers off the list:

- Luke Woodworth, F (Drummondville) - University of Nebraska-Omaha
- Andrew LeBlanc, F (North Bay) - Princeton
- Jacob LeBlanc, D (North Bay) - Princeton
- Connor Levis, F (Vancouver) - Bowling Green State
- Carter MacAdams, F (Tri-City) - Northern Michigan
- Jhett Larson, F (Red Deer) - University of Alaska-Fairbanks

The Levis commitment is interesting because he actually played a couple games with Manitoba in the AHL last year (he's a Winnipeg draft pick, but unsigned by them). Not sure what kind of contract he was under - obviously an ATO or something - but it is evidently OK with the NCAA.

Rumours swirling about the top programs trying to bring in the big dogs (Michigan wants Klondike Gold and Martone, BC vying for the Misa Brothers, etc.). Oh man.

 

[AUS Fan]

Cross these CHL OAers off the list:

- Luke Woodworth, F (Drummondville) - University of Nebraska-Omaha
- Andrew LeBlanc, F (North Bay) - Princeton
- Jacob LeBlanc, D (North Bay) - Princeton
- Connor Levis, F (Vancouver) - Bowling Green State
- Carter MacAdams, F (Tri-City) - Northern Michigan
- Jhett Larson, F (Red Deer) - University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Rumours swirling about the top programs trying to bring in the big dogs (Michigan wants Klondike Gold and Martone, BC vying for the Misa Brothers, etc.). Oh man.

Martone will likely be a high pick in the draft. Will he sign a contract? McKenna is not 17 yet.

 

[bungdropper]

Yeah, I find that one pretty surprising because I would figure he'd be playing in the NHL in 2025, maybe more likely to than any other draft-eligible player.

 

[dm8895]

I don’t really have much to contribute… just venting.
I don’t know about you guys but this entire situation has stressed me out about as much as I’ve ever been as a “fan”. Not because I’m scared of the impact on “my team” but because of the potential impact on the league. I’m definitely a fan of CIS hockey before I am a UNB fan , love the product, been to enough NHL,AHL,CHL etc games to say I’d genuinely rather watch the university product . My heart keeps telling me that the damage will be minimal but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared that to an extent we might lose what I think is the most entertaining hockey my eyes have seen and the not knowing is killing me.
Not much to contribute like I said , just my angsty rambling since sadly no one outside of this forum would really care lol.

 

[JMCx4]

Cross these CHL OAers off the list:

... - Connor Levis, F (Vancouver) - Bowling Green State ...

The Levis commitment is interesting because he actually played a couple games with Manitoba in the AHL last year (he's a Winnipeg draft pick, but unsigned by them). Not sure what kind of contract he was under - obviously an ATO or something - but it is evidently OK with the NCAA. ...

Mike McMahon of College Hockey News addressed that case last week ...

Levis played those two games with the Moose under an ATO (amateur tryout agreement). Speaking to several NHL agents over the weekend, the terms of those tryout deals vary. Typically, players are compensated for round-trip travel from a specific location, hotel room, and meals (some include per diem).

Under the new NCAA rules, if that’s all a player received on an ATO, that player would maintain his NCAA eligibility.

Players can participate with professional teams before their initial full-time enrollment if they receive no compensation beyond necessary expenses.

Every agent said they would “need to see the actual agreement.” Still, all speculated that Levis (and other players in his situation) wouldn’t likely receive more than their expenses, which would maintain their NCAA eligibility. ...

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I will admit…the number of quality overagers who have already committed is concerning, especially considering the big name programs haven’t been heard from yet.

 

[AUS Fan]

I will admit…the number of quality overagers who have already committed is concerning, especially considering the big name programs haven’t been heard from yet.

I think the big schools will look for "future" NHL players. I saw an Xwitter post that BU and Michael Misa (Saginaw) may have a deal worked out for next season. As posted earlier, Martone and McKenna are being courted by big schools. None of these 3 guys were going to UNB anyway. But, a lot of guys who could have gone to CIS schools are not going.

 

[AUS Fan]

I don’t really have much to contribute… just venting.
I don’t know about you guys but this entire situation has stressed me out about as much as I’ve ever been as a “fan”. Not because I’m scared of the impact on “my team” but because of the potential impact on the league. I’m definitely a fan of CIS hockey before I am a UNB fan , love the product, been to enough NHL,AHL,CHL etc games to say I’d genuinely rather watch the university product . My heart keeps telling me that the damage will be minimal but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared that to an extent we might lose what I think is the most entertaining hockey my eyes have seen and the not knowing is killing me.
Not much to contribute like I said , just my angsty rambling since sadly no one outside of this forum would really care lol.

I understand what you're thinking and you're correct. If these guys are good enough to play NCAA then they're good enough for CIS. The next tier guys will be going to CIS schools but it won't affect the "balance" in the AUS, for example. The best of the rest will go to UNB and others will filter down as they do now. The difference is that you won't see a Keating or Hawel on the ice.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

I think the big schools will look for "future" NHL players. I saw an Xwitter post that BU and Michael Misa (Saginaw) may have a deal worked out for next season. As posted earlier, Martone and McKenna are being courted by big schools. None of these 3 guys were going to UNB anyway. But, a lot of guys who could have gone to CIS schools are not going.

This is an interesting question, one that I have thought about in the past. Which NCAA schools will try to become a one-year stop for top prospects, and which will focus on players more likely to stay all four years?

I don't have an immediate sense, but there will be coaches who won't want one-and-done players.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Boston College has had a number of "one and dones" the last few years - could be because they had so many 1st and 2nd round draft picks. I could see them continuing with CHL players.

 

[dm8895]

Keaton Dowhaniuk - Alaska Fairbanks

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Owen Van Steensel - Clarkson
Evan Konyen - RIT
Tyson Doucette - Colgate
Ben Saunderson - Quinnipiac
Ben Riche - Quinnipiac

 

[dm8895]

Owen Van Steensel - Clarkson
Evan Konyen - RIT
Tyson Doucette - Colgate
Ben Saunderson - Quinnipiac
Ben Riche - Quinnipiac

The first few names that came out were guys you could say “maybe they would have ended up at the elite CIS schools” but the names coming out recently scream “CIS Hockey Player”

 

[AUS Fan]

The first few names that came out were guys you could say “maybe they would have ended up at the elite CIS schools” but the names coming out recently scream “CIS Hockey Player”

Funny, I got off the phone with 'Foyle about an hour ago and we were talking about this exact thing - Lots of decent guys who could/would play CIS going to NCAA and I said the numbers would increase as the CHL season wore on. They've already started to increase. I may get off my arse Tuesday and do a thread on CHL-NCAA commitments.

 

[dm8895]

Funny, I got off the phone with 'Foyle about an hour ago and we were talking about this exact thing - Lots of decent guys who could/would play CIS going to NCAA and I said the numbers would increase as the CHL season wore on. They've already started to increase. I may get off my arse Tuesday and do a thread on CHL-NCAA commitments.

I was talking with someone tonight saying how I figured that in the future CIS teams will have to try and load up at Xmas on guys from the Coast but the more I think of it I don’t even know how many of those guys will be around … if you are a player and your options are “ECHL or CIS” , I can see some of the appeal of the coast , get paid even if it’s not a ton of money, play in pro rinks with pro facilities but if the choice is “ECHL or NCAA” the NCAA all of a sudden becomes a much “sexier” .
It’s insane how many levels this has to it . Really will affect hockey all the way from Midget C right to the NHL .

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I expect to see a lot of guys in the next few years try out the NCAA route. I think their experience, good or bad, will play a big part in how many CHLers decide to go NCAA in the future.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

If the NCAA is successful in luring the McKenna’s and Martone’s of the world…all of the predictions and speculation we’ve discussed so far go right out the window IMO. I’m not sure if anyone in this thread had suggested that was even a possibility. It would hurt the CHL obviously, but might be good for U SPORTS as NCAA teams would be focused on luring guys who were never coming here anyways (which the bigger programs might be doing anyways).

 

[dm8895]

I expect to see a lot of guys in the next few years try out the NCAA route. I think their experience, good or bad, will play a big part in how many CHLers decide to go NCAA in the future.

I definitely see this being a HUGE benefit to a school like Dal. The “Student-Athlete” is going to see the advantages of getting an elite level education and the “Athlete-Student” will see the appeal of getting to play in the NCAA at a less prestigious school where it’s undeniable you will be seen by 500x the scouts in an average year , even if they are in the rink to watch Celebrini play against your team, you are on the same ice and they are seeing you, if you see even a 0.5% shot of playing in the NHL , it’s hard not to go to the states and generally you don’t get this far without having a ton of belief in yourself.