While those are indeed colleges that award degrees, I think perhaps people who play DI hockey at Michigan, Minnesota, DU, basically any ECAC school, and most of HE are probably getting a bit more out of their educations.
I bet those Whalers aren't taking full courseloads, and I doubt they're, say, living on a college campus enjoying a normal life for a kid their age. And I bet they don't particularly care they aren't, because they're completely focused on the NHL. That's fine. Congratulations. The CHL is a nice place to play and I can see why many players choose it.
But the NCAA has several advantages that have obvious appeal to kids. You may go on about the myth that playing in the CHL means you're throwing an education away, but it's just as much of a myth that you're throwing your NHL chances away by playing in the NCAA. Or even damaging them. It's good hockey. It's produced scores of NHL players, and draft numbers show that respect for the NCAA is on the upswing.
The CHL can offer all the educational packages it wants but the fact of the matter is that they're two different environments with different priorities and kids should pick the one they're more comfortable with. Nothing will ever change the fact that the CHL and NCAA are fundamentally different, and both will continue to get their share of talent. Why that's such a threat to you guys I don't know. No NCAA supporter really cares much about juniors, but you guys seem to have some ingrained hatred for college hockey. I don't get it. You piss me off with your constant unwarranted bashing of the NCAA... when was the last time one of these pissing contests was started by an NCAA supporter? I don't know.
QUOTE]
Funky,you are the typical NCAA supporter who cannot see his hand in front of his face because you are so much in the dark. Have you ever visited a Canadian college campus before? Well I have and the atmosphere there is no different than its U.S. counterparts! What is the difference between a kid who plays in the USHL and then goes on to the NCAA than a kid who plays in the OHL and then goes on to the CIS? ABSOLUTLY NOTHING!
Do you get it now? THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE! Both of thes players are enjoying life in your so called pristine environment.
Its not us who initiate this type of discussion Funky, its people of your ilk! Someone wants to know something about the NTDP and along comes your typical Mr College or bust and throws out ridiculous statements like "My darn kids to smart to be going up theres in Kanadas to play with them dumb OHL folks, Nopey doody do, he be going the college route Yes n doody do do..." Its your typical arrogant belief that because a kid chooses to play in the CHL he is throwing away his education.
Posters such as Juan and I are merely trying to educate the ingnorant on this matter Funky and nothing more! The plain simple truth is (AND I DO MEAN TRUTH) that by playing in the OHL, you are securing your future educational needs PERIOD!
Do you want to know something that might shock you Funky? I am a season ticket holder of a CCHA team. I won't tell you which team because I am sure you will harass me about it but I will give you a hint. I will be down watching my team play yours at the infamous "Field House" on January 30th. Heck maybe I'll run into you there, who knows.
So you see Funky, I am not some anti NCAA guy, I have been a fan of the U.S. college game for over 15 years now. I simply prefer the Major Junior game more, but that is my own personal preference and I do not expect all to agree with me.