Shayne Gostisbehere is the only notable NHL players/prospect to come out of Union, too. I guess he sucks?
Not saying Cholo can't be successful, I think he's a fine prospect with good potential. Not saying he's a bust/sucks etc. Playing at a "second rate" hockey school on a crowded blueline with no clear NHLers blocking his path is concerning. I think he has the ability to play at a very high level even at a much better school.
What about careers in relation to draft position? I have no idea where SCSU would stand in that comparison but I do know that Cholo is the first 1st round pick to play for them. Top prospects don't always play for the absolute best teams.
They have 29 NHL alumni. These are just some notable draft positions. Most of the rest were drafted, mainly later. A few undrafted.
183
69
35
86
148
63
131
150
115
39
79
The only real player of note from this list is Matt Cullen. They've had one Hobey Baker winner, Drew LeBlanc 2013.
Top prospects don't always play for the best teams but coaching and level of competition are important. He can do much better in both those departments somewhere else. My guess is he didn't get any great looks a few years ago and took what he could get and then his game blew up afterwards, especially after this year. That would make total sense but maybe the FO will push for a move although I highly doubt it.
I don't think it matters as much today as it used to, but there's a long history supporting the idea that if you want to develop a college player, they should be on the elite teams. I'm not going to pretend to predict The Big Cholowski's trajectory based on college, but I get where people are coming from, and like I said, I think it's a reasonable point of concern for the franchise's new top defensive prospect.
This is exactly what I am trying to say. IMO, with the landscape of college hockey if you're one of the best you should be playing with the best. Besides North Dakota and Denver, the competition isn't the best in the NCHC. Coaching is extremely important and the elite/upper echelon teams have the best coaching. He might as well go play in the CHL or even the AHL, although I don't think it's possible.