LOL people can dream. Although I think Glebe may not have as much power as they used to consider that this is not going to change the footprint except add more housing in the area therefore more customers for Bank St shops.
Rohrer will get a chance to show what he can do against adults. I think he showed what he could do here. playing against adults will be better development than playing another year here. He might also get to play as a wing instead of a center there.
As I said I think playing Euro will be a higher skill level than the OHL.
Unless they have a hidden gem it is going to be tough getting 2 ready to play players in this draft.
Rohrer was under a point per game as a front line player on a stacked Ottawa 67’s team. I will fully blame him being forced to play centre for that lack lustre performance BUT playing 8-10 minutes per game next year with zero PP time isn’t development. This decision ends his NHL hopes. The Swiss league is not a developmental league. It is a league where washed up North American Pro’s go to extend their careers and try to pull in tax free $150,00-$200,000k per season while living all expenses paid. Rohrer will likely make under league average as a rookie but more than what he’d make in the AHL.
Most would consider the National League (Swiss) behind the KHL and SEL (Sweden). Top prospects usually play in the KHL or SEL.
I truly believe this is the last we will hear of Rohrer unless he decides to come back to the OHL (Ottawa is keeping him protected). I still think the possibility exists that after he finishes his training camp with ZSC that he may decide to return depending on his status out of training camp, especially if he doesn’t make the team and gets sent to Tier II GCK or makes it as a spare part.
It is also possible there are personal/family reasons for him departing, not for the purposes of a “better opportunity.”
There is nothing about this that screams this is better for his development or positions him better as an NHL prospect. he proved last year he wasn’t a bonafide NHL prospect. He has upside for sure but he won’t get much of a chance to prove it now. Playing in a 4th or 5th tier league isn’t ideal, especially if he is playing in the bottom half of the depth chart up front.
I could argue this is a great decision on his part. If he is making $120k per season as opposed to pennies in the OHL then he is taking the bird in hand. He’d need to sign an NHL contract, snag that signing bonus ($240k) to be able to bridge the gap between his likely AHL salary ($80k) and his Swiss NL Salary (~$120-$150k?). If he makes that while also having his living expenses paid, that’s a pretty good deal for a small player that underachieved in his post-draft season.
EDIT:
I agree about the Glebe. I think the main issue will be funding and how it is sourced. I know the big boys on council want to kick in the coin to finish the project but there are always enough tree huggers and do-gooders on council that spurn development and scream for more resources being directed to lost causes that don’t contribute to taxes…