CHL vs NCAA

[radoran]

 That's a really good point that has not been mentioned to this point. The CHL is so great because you get to play against the very best teenagers in the world. They all make each other better as they compete....take out 10-15 players out of the equation (not to mention, the very best ones) and you have a slightly watered down product....and you don't have elite forwards testing their skills against the likes of Darnell Nurse etc...

 

 The other point, another solid one...nobody is holding a gun to the NHL's head here, they realize that keeping the CHL strong is the best way to assure the flow of amazing talent coming their way. It's all intertwined....all connected. One back scratches the other. Keeping the status quo means that both the CHL and NHL will continue to be powerhouses.

 

"We have the best talent development program in the world developing players to play, almost exclusively, in our league that costs us absolutely nothing. We've got to do something to fix that"

 

I'll say this - I'd rather have Sam Morin captaining his team to the QMJHL Finals rather than spending the last season in Allentown... And, by the same token, Sanheim and the Hitmen going to the WHL semis.

[Holymakinaw]

The CHL is more important for developing NHLers, IMO.  It's not even close.  The vast majority of NHLers come out of the Canadian Juniors system, as opposed to the NCAA.  A study by the NCAA recently said that College players have only about a .4% chance of making it to the NHL.  

 

CHLers play a hard, fast "back & forth", more intense 68-72 game season, whereas the more "mature" College players only play 35-48.  

 

Obviously, it depends on the player and every situation is different, but overall.......since the goal is the make it to the NHL, it's kind of a no brainer.  If you want an education, go to College.  If you want to play in the NHL, start to the CHL.