Yeah by my count they’re were 6 players that were 15th round picks (2018-22 drafts) that played in the OHL this season. You’re looking at 1 or 2 players every draft. Which is actually more than I was expecting. With the advent of the U18 draft, I’m not sure true FA’s outnumber them by a wide margin, but I’ll check.
Oliver Peer is a good example of that.
Yes a very good example and Spits Center Noah Morneau is one of the 6
Our sons played hockey for a few years and then the grandkids years later. I was shocked at the fee for a child to play house league in Kitchener when the grandkids played. Our granddaughter went with a travel team once in a while and the cost doubled to play at that level. When you look at the cost of extra curricular activities involved like power skating and ice time rentals etc. at the double and triple A level its massive. It is what it is now if you enjoy watching this level of hockey. It's not going to change anytime soon. The next Gretzky if there is one won't becoming from a blue colour family for sure.
I can think of a local example, where a dad with mucho deep pockets funded ice for an entire AAA organization each year, then bought an ownership share in an OHL team, a Jr. B franchise, and a minor league team, so his kid could play at the highest level. Money was no object. Hard to say no to that.
Sorry - yes hockey is very expensive but is not the most expensive sport that kids can play . I remember a list that was put out a few years back and hockey was around 7th. Once you start paying for private coaching costs really escalates. Anyway carry on.
I can't remember all of the list but it was based on " competive " level in each sport. Golf, tennis, equestrian and figure skating were all higher but that is all off the top of my head and I can't remember the order.
Ya not sure but I don't believe it was based on making it to the pros or Olympics but it would be a group that was likely trying to get to that level. Same as hockey when players have pro goals in mind.
It's all about the private lessons. My daughters figure skating coach cost $40 an hour. She was on the ice 10 times a week with her coach. Use to have to pay the coaches hotel and travel costs for every competition. it cost around $1000 for every weekend competition. She did 15 in one year. The last year she skated it was approximately $32,000 for that year . This was nearly 15 years ago. She never made it past south western Ontario regionals. Tennis and golf is more, usually requires heading to private schools to get the top coaching. Anyway I'm sure the list has changed but I'm pretty sure hockey is not the most expensive sport but it is out of reach for most as it is not cheap.i'd love to see those numbers because I don't think i spent 15,000 on golf my entire childhood - although I definitely lost a lot of balls so maybe lol
