Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Plymouth owns his rights.
I do NOT think he is eligible for AHL. Only Euros are 1st year eligible , it has something to do with the NHL/CHL agreement.
He is AHL eligible as he has not committed to nor skated for a CHL team. The last, perhaps best example of this, would be John Carlson, who played in the AHL late in his 18 year old season, and full-time in his 19 year old season.
http://theahl.com/faq-p137653
What is the minimum age for an AHL player?
Per AHL By-Laws, the age limit for eligibility to compete in the American Hockey League is 18 years or over, on or before September 15 of each season of competition.
For further clarification (and an excellent article that clears up the fog):
http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2012/8/1/3213217/bruins-nhl-chl-ahl-agreement-CBA-talks-2012
The gyst:
Players drafted and playing for CHL teams are ineligible to play in the professional minor leagues (AHL, ECHL) until they are 20 years old (by December 31st of that year) or have completed four years in major juniors.
Essentially, this rule is to protect the CHL teams from losing talent just as they are becoming stars. No CHL means a player 18 years or older is eligible to play wherever he wants.
It will be interesting to see where he ends up. In his case, I think a year in the OHL would be ideal, but would also argue that he could be AHL ready when he's 19, like many other first round prospects. He would be a go-to guy in Plymouth, whereas in Springfield, where does he fit in amongst all of the other talented young forwards we have?
Tough decision there. I have to think he defaults to the CBJ on this one and lets them make the call.