Why does the NHL draft 18 year olds?

[Chainshot]

Basically, that's the reason. The draft age was lowered because of the threat of legal action. Because employment as a player in the NHL is governed by a collective agreement, the league and the players' union can decide whatever minimum criteria they wish for entrance into the league.

Ken Linseman's suit to join the WHA Bulls was part of the legal precedent as a right to work suit. That helped pave the way for the shift.

As much as fans would like to see more surety in the draft process akin to NCAA finished products going into the NFL, it isn't going to happen.

 

[squidz*]

It would be pretty tough to change the draft to 20 year old players now. You'd have to go 2 years without a draft.

It wouldn't be like that. If such a change was made it would probably take 4 or 8 years to fully implement by moving the minimum draft birthday by 3 or 6 more months than usual each year. Also, not all draftees are minimum age or in their first draft.

 

[squidz*]

Ken Linseman's suit to join the WHA Bulls was part of the legal precedent as a right to work suit. That helped pave the way for the shift.

As much as fans would like to see more surety in the draft process akin to NCAA finished products going into the NFL, it isn't going to happen.

The NFL's supposed surety is a result of numbers, not age. The reason why the vast majority of NFL draftees end up with an NFL career is because rosters are huge, and there's only 7 draft rounds. The average NFL career is about 6.0 years (only counting players who make Week 1 rosters) while quick stats from Google tell me the average NHL career is 5.66 seasons (I assume these only count players who make an NHL appearance). If the NFL expanded their draft to keep the same proportion of rounds to roster spaces as the NHL, you'd see massive decreases in the average success in the draft.

 

[QuarterChicken]

Without reading and getting into the hockey aspect of this thread, I'll just say this: If someone is legally an adult, keeping them out would be discrimination. You can't have a business tell an adult they aren't eligible to work. If their performance can handle it, all the power to them.

 

[WreckItRask]

Without reading and getting into the hockey aspect of this thread, I'll just say this: If someone is legally an adult, keeping them out would be discrimination. You can't have a business tell an adult they aren't eligible to work. If their performance can handle it, all the power to them.

If this is true (and I agree with it), then isn't the CHL-NHL arrangement a violation of this basic premise? By not allowing 19 year old prospects to play in the AHL and earn a wage, and forcing them to return to Junior (and not earn a wage) if they don't stick with the NHL club, how is that not a violation of this basic premise?

 

[Ozamataz Buckshank]

Without reading and getting into the hockey aspect of this thread, I'll just say this: If someone is legally an adult, keeping them out would be discrimination. You can't have a business tell an adult they aren't eligible to work. If their performance can handle it, all the power to them.

Have you ever heard of the NBA? They do exactly what you say is discrimination.

If this is true (and I agree with it), then isn't the CHL-NHL arrangement a violation of this basic premise? By not allowing 19 year old prospects to play in the AHL and earn a wage, and forcing them to return to Junior (and not earn a wage) if they don't stick with the NHL club, how is that not a violation of this basic premise?

I thought CHL players got paid a (small) stipend?

 

[QuarterChicken]

If this is true (and I agree with it), then isn't the CHL-NHL arrangement a violation of this basic premise? By not allowing 19 year old prospects to play in the AHL and earn a wage, and forcing them to return to Junior (and not earn a wage) if they don't stick with the NHL club, how is that not a violation of this basic premise?

I guess because the NHL has an affiliation with the AHL and they are allowed to earn money playing pro if their standards are up to it.

I guess in the end there's no legal issues if the players sign off on it in a CBA. They could agree to be drafted at age 35 if they wanted to I guess. I don't know why the NBA does what they do. I think I meant less that it would be violating law and bringing about legal trouble and more of the principle behind the law. Why and how do you keep an adult out if they are ready.

I also don't think anyone would argue to allow 16 and 17 year olds in the NHL, but 18 is the most common age of adulthood around the world both legally and physiologically. If the draft age was 25, 16 and 17 year old junior players wouldn't care about being in junior, but 18 and 19 year old junior players would have desires to play with men. Thus raising the NHL age minimum invites competitive professional leagues (wha, khl, etc) to steal "adult" players. If Crosby, Tavares, Hall and Ovechkin all go to League X when they're 18, who says that won't become a great league and who says they'd be so eager to move to the NHL when they turned 20, 21 or whatever the age was?

 

[WreckItRask]

Have you ever heard of the NBA? They do exactly what you say is discrimination.





I thought CHL players got paid a (small) stipend?

They get a monthly stipend, and that's allocated in part to the billets, etc. All told they probably get a few hundred bucks/month for meal money, etc. It's the worst kept secret in hockey though that higher profile kids are negotiating under the table payouts to report...especially American kids reneging on NCAA commitments.

My point, however, is that the CHL/NHL arrangement, as it's currently constituted, seems to be far and away the most beneficial for the CHL teams. NHL teams are handcuffed with certain prospects that they feel are ready to play in the AHL (for the Bruins Spooner and Knight this upcoming year), and the players are handcuffed back to their Junior teams when they feel they're ready to move on to the AHL.

 

[theIceWookie]

The NFL's supposed surety is a result of numbers, not age. The reason why the vast majority of NFL draftees end up with an NFL career is because rosters are huge, and there's only 7 draft rounds. The average NFL career is about 6.0 years (only counting players who make Week 1 rosters) while quick stats from Google tell me the average NHL career is 5.66 seasons (I assume these only count players who make an NHL appearance). If the NFL expanded their draft to keep the same proportion of rounds to roster spaces as the NHL, you'd see massive decreases in the average success in the draft.

Exactly. I was trying to point that out above but the words weren't coming to me and I couldn't explain it properly lol.

For opposite reasons to the NFL, the NBA has a similar concept that allows high value in its picks. Because their rosters are so small, only the best of the best get drafted and along with that, only the players that have almost a guaranteed shot of playing get drafted most of the time.

They get a monthly stipend, and that's allocated in part to the billets, etc. All told they probably get a few hundred bucks/month for meal money, etc. It's the worst kept secret in hockey though that higher profile kids are negotiating under the table payouts to report...especially American kids reneging on NCAA commitments.

My point, however, is that the CHL/NHL arrangement, as it's currently constituted, seems to be far and away the most beneficial for the CHL teams. NHL teams are handcuffed with certain prospects that they feel are ready to play in the AHL (for the Bruins Spooner and Knight this upcoming year), and the players are handcuffed back to their Junior teams when they feel they're ready to move on to the AHL.

This would be an interesting idea to look into on the business forum. It certainly appears to be a legal loophole. I'm just not sure that its technically considered a job until they go pro, which sort of allows them to skirt the issue. It could also be a legal grey area that likens it to needed certain qualifications to work that job. The NHL/AHL have so many legal loopholes its not funny. It's surprising they get away with half the stuff they do. They technically violate anti-trust laws.

I think you might start to see a shift of kids playing a year in the NCAA then shifting to the CHL so they can play AHL time if they are ready (like D'Amigo did, like Carlson did). It allows more freedom with the development.

 

[Hawksfan2828]

Does anybody have a specific, concrete reason why the NHL drafts players into the league at 18 instead of say...20 or 21 like the NFL does?

The NHL is a physical game much like the NFL, the vast majority of 18 year olds are simply not physically ready to play the in the league, and it's usually about 5-6 years before most players establish themselves.

Why not draft players are 20 or 21 years of age? Seems like it would cut down on the development risk AND cost, and make the draft less of a crap shoot. This would enabled NHL teams to see prospects play at a very high level for two additional years.

This would also make the draft more exciting, since you wouldn't have to wait for four years to go by before that 1st round draft pick makes the big club.

In the NFL college is mandatory..

Also, the NFL has no farm system, not to mention college football is quite popular.

Besides, I don't believe football player could step into the NFL right out of high school. So college ball is like the AHL/minors in hockey.

 

[WreckItRask]

In the NFL college is mandatory..

Also, the NFL has no farm system, not to mention college football is quite popular.

Besides, I don't believe football player could step into the NFL right out of high school. So college ball is like the AHL/minors in hockey.

Technically, it's not mandatory. You just have to be three years removed from High School to get drafted. But since there is virtually no other developmental paths other than college, that's why it is what it is.

 

[gifted88]

The NHL approves of child labour. That's why they draft them that young.

 

[BruinsBtn]

But wouldn't that invalidate the CHL-NHL agreement? It's preventing players from working professionally in the AHL

Probably, if someone dragged the NHL/AHL to court they would win. But maybe it's a clause in agreements signed by players after they're drafted or signed with CHL teams.

The reason the age is 18 is definitely legal, so it will never change.

 

[Atas2000]

Does anybody have a specific, concrete reason why the NHL drafts players into the league at 18 instead of say...20 or 21 like the NFL does?

The NHL is a physical game much like the NFL, the vast majority of 18 year olds are simply not physically ready to play the in the league, and it's usually about 5-6 years before most players establish themselves.

Why not draft players are 20 or 21 years of age? Seems like it would cut down on the development risk AND cost, and make the draft less of a crap shoot. This would enabled NHL teams to see prospects play at a very high level for two additional years.

This would also make the draft more exciting, since you wouldn't have to wait for four years to go by before that 1st round draft pick makes the big club.

Simple reason. There is a number of 18 year olds who jump right into the NHL (mostly top picks obviously). What about them if they'd go undrafted?

18 is pretty much the age at which a top skilled young player can 'survive' the big league and be successful. Hence, it's an appropriate draft age.

 

[Rookie Chargers]

But wouldn't that invalidate the CHL-NHL agreement? It's preventing players from working professionally in the AHL

The big word is ''OPPORTUNITY to work'', you can not deny it to some one who is 18 years old.

As in a lot of things there are compromises, here it's if you don't make the NHL you go back to the CHL.

 

[Rookie Chargers]

In the NFL college is mandatory..

Also, the NFL has no farm system, not to mention college football is quite popular.

Besides, I don't believe football player could step into the NFL right out of high school. So college ball is like the AHL/minors in hockey.

The answers are right there.

If 18 year old play in the AHL it kills the CHL. Then what??

 

[PRMan]

Probably, if someone dragged the NHL/AHL to court they would win. But maybe it's a clause in agreements signed by players after they're drafted or signed with CHL teams.

The reason the age is 18 is definitely legal, so it will never change.

But anyone good enough to play in the NHL can, even at 18. If they're not good enough, they can't, so it would be somebody clearly good enough for the AHL but not for the NHL (Brayden Schenn last season was a good candidate for this).

 

[theDirty27]

It ruins the fun for hidden gems deep in the draft!

 

[WestCoast]

18-20 year olds can handle themselves much easier in sports like hockey and basketball whereas other sports like baseball unless you are Ken Griffey Jr. 18 year olds wouldn't stand a chance and football an 18 year old would most likely get way to annihilated to stand a chance. It just works out 18-20 year olds can handle themselves in pro hockey and can make a contribution.

 

[boredmale]

Basically legal reason, you can't stop a legal adult(18) old from having a career.

Other league get past this by having a process where people have to opt into the draft(NBA, MLB and NFL). Since most of those players play NCAA they have to wait till they finish their college career because the second they opt in for the major leagues they lose college eligibility.

I guess the NHL could have a system where people opt in for the draft but then you would have weird cases of some guys being 22-24 going up against 18 year olds.

 

[Rookie Chargers]

I wonder why folks try to re-invent things or make new rules. Are they some phenom in hiding?

http://sports-law.blogspot.com/2005/07/nhl-raises-draft-entry-age-from-18.html