OHL poised to lose a TON of talent to USHL/BCHL, CHL is sweating bullets.

[Bjindaho]

HC doesn't give a crap about players going to the states. They'd rather punish the kids that decide to stay in Canada (BCHL) instead of working a solution.

Tell me you know nothing about the subject without telling me you know nothing about the subject.

Hockey Canada is in no way punishing kids that go to the BCHL. They are ineligible to play for Hockey Canada because the BCHL severed ties with Hockey Canada (which makes them ineligible for international tournaments by IIHF rules). Theoretically, if the BCHL could somehow convince Hockey USA to affiliate with them, the players would be eligible as well, but they made a decision to make all of their own players ineligible for international tournaments so that they could poach from other regions.

 

[Peasy]

Its slowly been an on-going issue and will probably only get worse as time goes on. They need to make a change to try and keep their top talent around. Its not the end of the world right now, but it could continue to create a snowball effect.

The NCAA route is great for a prospect, and I can se why so many want to go that route.

 

[waitin425]

Not sure what, if any compensation there is for players. I know they get education paid for. This is what I think is fair though. In London, these kids bring in a ton of money.

- All equipment, sticks, skates, etc (obviously)
- education paid for when completed
- daily stipend for gas, training, food, etc.

I believe they get the above three, in addition, they should receive.

- the equivalent to minimum wage for 20 hours per week. Most of these kids will never make money in hockey. Many sacrifice part time jobs for this personal growth. Add it to their stipend to maintain amateur status, or whatever. But pay them what lots of kids are making at their age.

 

[Acallabeth]

Even the Canadian kids don't buy the 'all the best players develop in the CHL' narrative anymore.

 

[Wieters]

Brandon Naurato, Michigan's head coach, was asked yesterday at the Frozen Four about the talent level and growth of NCAA hockey. He said that when speaking to high-end 15/16 year olds choosing between Major Junior and college hockey, "it's not even close." Kind of chuckled to himself about it too and seemed to have to hold back from dunking on Major Junior even further.

 

[Kingpin794]

From what I have seen online, many first round talents in the upcoming OHL draft are poised to forego the OHL in favour of going to the USHL and BCHL.

Zachary Nyman
Adam Valentini
Colin Fitzgerald
Caleb Malhotra
Logan Hawery
Callum Croskery
Jett Kwajah
Alexander Hage
Beckham Edwards
Jacob Xu
Jude Bray
Thomas Vandenberg

All players that should go in the first two/three rounds of the OHL draft on Friday and all are rumoured to be going elsewhere. With this much talent looking elsewhere, should the CHL hit the panic button?

Hope they enjoy it now. As soon as the NCAA starts allowing CHL players to play college hockey, those feeder leagues won't be getting these players. At least not like this. The CHL will be where you go 16-19 and if you aren't signed you go to the NCAA 20-22/23.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The demographics of hockey are changing as well. It's not really a "blue collar" sport anymore.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Tell me you know nothing about the subject without telling me you know nothing about the subject.

Hockey Canada is in no way punishing kids that go to the BCHL. They are ineligible to play for Hockey Canada because the BCHL severed ties with Hockey Canada (which makes them ineligible for international tournaments by IIHF rules). Theoretically, if the BCHL could somehow convince Hockey USA to affiliate with them, the players would be eligible as well, but they made a decision to make all of their own players ineligible for international tournaments so that they could poach from other regions.

Hockey Canada can make anyone eligible for tournaments it wants. As you said, they routinely bring along kids that play under USA Hockey umbrella (like Celebrini)

 

[Bjindaho]

Hockey Canada can make anyone eligible for tournaments it wants. As you said, they routinely bring along kids that play under USA Hockey umbrella (like Celebrini)

No, they can't.

In order to be eligible, a player has to play under one of the member organizations. The issue with what the BCHL did is that they left Canada's member organization and did not join anyone else's.

Per IIHF rules, those players are not eligible to compete in IIHF events (Hockey Canada has no say in the matter).

 

[Corso]

The demographics of hockey are changing as well. It's not really a "blue collar" sport anymore.

Exactly. Birthrates have crashed and hockey is a very expensive sport.

 

[WarriorofTime]

No, they can't.

In order to be eligible, a player has to play under one of the member organizations. The issue with what the BCHL did is that they left Canada's member organization and did not join anyone else's.

Per IIHF rules, those players are not eligible to compete in IIHF events (Hockey Canada has no say in the matter).

Don’t forget the non-IIHF stuff that Hockey Canada runs. The u17 challenge, the Gretzky-Hlinka and the world junior a challenge. Those aren’t subject to iihf rules, that’s a Hockey Canada decision.

If they participated in the program of excellence with consideration for those things, the only one they run into a roadblock with is the IIHF U18s because realistically a kid going that route is already playing NCAA Hockey to get consideration for the IIHF U20s.

BCHL Fact Check

bchl.ca

 

[TomB]

No, they can't.

In order to be eligible, a player has to play under one of the member organizations. The issue with what the BCHL did is that they left Canada's member organization and did not join anyone else's.

Per IIHF rules, those players are not eligible to compete in IIHF events (Hockey Canada has no say in the matter).

This is true as per the letter of the law. However, in practice, players playing in rogue leagues have played for their national teams regularly without issue.

 

[Bjindaho]

Don’t forget the non-IIHF stuff that Hockey Canada runs. The u17 challenge, the Gretzky-Hlinka and the world junior a challenge. Those aren’t subject to iihf rules, that’s a Hockey Canada decision.

If they participated in the program of excellence with consideration for those things, the only one they run into a roadblock with is the IIHF U18s because realistically a kid going that route is already playing NCAA Hockey to get consideration for the IIHF U20s.

BCHL Fact Check

bchl.ca

While I agree on U17 and the Hlinka-Gretzky (though I think HC will actually make exceptions for the latter because it is an offseason tournament), the WJAC makes sense because the BCHL is actively trying to make themselves something that isn't Jr. A.

 

[Corso]

While I agree on U17 and the Hlinka-Gretzky (though I think HC will actually make exceptions for the latter because it is an offseason tournament), the WJAC makes sense because the BCHL is actively trying to make themselves something that isn't Jr. A.

If the winds are indeed turning against the CHL, the BCHL will undoubtedly begin to acquire some of the best Canadian talent. If so, how does Hockey Canada reconcile with the BCHL because if they cannot come to some agreement, Canada could very well miss out on some of their finest talent for various tournaments.

It would be somewhat ironic if Hockey Canada actively pushes their players towards the U.S. in order for those players to be available for tournaments.

Of course this will most likely all be moot in the very near future as the NCAA is set to drop the CHL restrictions.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If NCAA was about to make CHL players available, these kids would be going CHL as their college years are still a while away. For now it remains speculative. And if it does, CHL needs to play nice about letting kids leave when they’re ready for NCAA and not trying to hold them hostage until they’re 20 or else BCHL/USHL still remain in play.

 

[StreetHawk]

Its slowly been an on-going issue and will probably only get worse as time goes on. They need to make a change to try and keep their top talent around. Its not the end of the world right now, but it could continue to create a snowball effect.

The NCAA route is great for a prospect, and I can se why so many want to go that route.

Again, if you are not making the NHL as a teenager, why not complete 2-4 years of college especially if you go mid to later in the draft? Have that as a fall back plan.

Benefits of NCAA is getting to pick from among a couple to a few offers if you are good enough to choose your coaching staff basically. Not dealing with trades or getting drafted by really bad teams. You now have the option of a 1 time undergrad transfer via the portal. Plus the facilities and off-ice personnel are likely greater at a college, such as a nutritionist, trainers, etc.

 

[MeHateHe]

This board is a trip sometimes.

It's not the 1970s anymore and players have more options. The USHL and (to a much lesser extent) the NAHL offer good development options for budding players. The BCHL, now bolstered by a handful of former AJHL teams, is trying to open up yet another window.

But this is not going to lead to a flood of players abandoning the CHL, which everyone can see is still churning out talent. This is not going to lead to the death of the AJHL or SJHL, as someone posited, nor will it make a marked difference on the quality play on the long run. The three CHL leagues are still attracting top recruits and young players (and their agents) are still going to see that and want to go there.

There are multiple streams through which players can develop. In general, players develop well playing against their peers, which is why the junior system exists. Players that need a few more years to develop are better off going Junior A and then moving on to college. Players that are going to be NHL-ready at 18 or 19 are probably best suited for junior. But there will be exceptions to both those scenarios.

The situation with the BCHL remains fluid. There were 18 teams last year, then 17 to start this year. The five Alberta teams made it 22, and then one left and the rumours are that there may be a couple more that bail before next season. Perhaps others will join from Alberta or elsewhere or others may leave. I guarantee the 21 teams they have now will not be the same 21 they have at the start of 2025-2026.

At the end of the day, you have a firehose of players coming out of minor hockey looking for a place to play. The suggestion that all the top talent are going to end of playing for the Chicago Steel is ludicrous. When Sidney Crosby went to Shattuck, everyone talked about how this was the most fierce condemnation of Canadian elite minor hockey and made the same declarations.

A few folks here have an obvious axe to grind with the CHL and with Hockey Canada, and both those institutions are going to have to adapt to make their programs more attractive, but whatever. The junior hockey landscape is wildly in flux. Save your declarations for a few years after things have settled.

 

[WarriorofTime]

This board is a trip sometimes.

It's not the 1970s anymore and players have more options. The USHL and (to a much lesser extent) the NAHL offer good development options for budding players. The BCHL, now bolstered by a handful of former AJHL teams, is trying to open up yet another window.

But this is not going to lead to a flood of players abandoning the CHL, which everyone can see is still churning out talent. This is not going to lead to the death of the AJHL or SJHL, as someone posited, nor will it make a marked difference on the quality play on the long run. The three CHL leagues are still attracting top recruits and young players (and their agents) are still going to see that and want to go there.

There are multiple streams through which players can develop. In general, players develop well playing against their peers, which is why the junior system exists. Players that need a few more years to develop are better off going Junior A and then moving on to college. Players that are going to be NHL-ready at 18 or 19 are probably best suited for junior. But there will be exceptions to both those scenarios.

The situation with the BCHL remains fluid. There were 18 teams last year, then 17 to start this year. The five Alberta teams made it 22, and then one left and the rumours are that there may be a couple more that bail before next season. Perhaps others will join from Alberta or elsewhere or others may leave. I guarantee the 21 teams they have now will not be the same 21 they have at the start of 2025-2026.

At the end of the day, you have a firehose of players coming out of minor hockey looking for a place to play. The suggestion that all the top talent are going to end of playing for the Chicago Steel is ludicrous. When Sidney Crosby went to Shattuck, everyone talked about how this was the most fierce condemnation of Canadian elite minor hockey and made the same declarations.

A few folks here have an obvious axe to grind with the CHL and with Hockey Canada, and both those institutions are going to have to adapt to make their programs more attractive, but whatever. The junior hockey landscape is wildly in flux. Save your declarations for a few years after things have settled.

Not sure who you are responding to. Anyways the steel like all ushl teams are limited to two tenders per year. So “all the top talent are going to play for the Steel” is an impossibility.

 

[joestevens29]

If I'm not mistaken, for each year you play in the CHL, you get 1 year of College for free.

If you're good, you also get under the table incentives to play for certain teams throughout the CHL.

I guess if you get a chance to go to a NCAA school and you can complete your education and play hockey, why not ?

This is good news to kids who are a bit down the hockey depth charts.

Apparently you can negotiate on getting more. Something like you want a guaranteed year even if you don't end up playing on the club due to them moving on from you.

CHL - NHL agreement is absolute garbage.

Terrible for development on certain guys. Korchinski for Chicago is the perfect example. Way too good for Jr, but definitely could’ve benefited from the AHL.

College hockey is a much better development path right now.

Always said every NHL team should be at least allowed 1 player to go to the AHL who is currently ineligible to be there. Regardless of draft position.

 

[Breakers]

Chicago steel is the best development program in North America

people seem to notice that

it is next level from sports psychologists, nutritionists, general prep
you have top 5 picks saying their wasnt any other choise once we visited chicago

 

[Breakers]

Brandon Naurato, Michigan's head coach, was asked yesterday at the Frozen Four about the talent level and growth of NCAA hockey. He said that when speaking to high-end 15/16 year olds choosing between Major Junior and college hockey, "it's not even close." Kind of chuckled to himself about it too and seemed to have to hold back from dunking on Major Junior even further.

He's touched on that before
the facilities arent even in the same realm
Michigan's athletic facility is better than NHL programs
so is lots of other programs

 

[Coaches Coroner]

They aren't getting paid in BCHL or USHL so them getting paid in CHL would be a strong motivator. Not that difficult.

As is, NCAA just is far more attractive than slave labor in CHL.

you play 1 OHL game you get 1 year free university. You play 1 game in the NCAA and no more, you get shit all. NCAA scholarships are not guarenteed. The idea that the NCAA is or was any less slave labour is pretty funny imo.

The OHL is failing to adapt to continue attracting the same amount of talent, but it's not like the NCAA is without it's own problems.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Oh good. The annual death to the CHL thread
The BCHL/NCAA route isn't anywhere near the big deal people here make it out to be. As usual. Want an example?
CSB mid term ranked 224 North American skaters for this draft
BCHL has 12 ranked. Pretty good. The highest rated is #70.
WHL has 12 ranked in the top 30. I can't be bothered to count further than that.
Wake me up when the WHL/Bchl talent difference is close enough to even care about.
People mention Celebrini as an example of something. I have no idea what that would be though. Learned his hockey up to 12 in Vancouver, then moved with his family to San Jose then went Shattuck then Chicago. As a Canadian i'm just happy he's going to represent Canada internationally. He's not a player the WHL 'lost' though.

EDIT: Just to also point out the Bchl right now is loaded with kids who wouldn't be eligible to play in the WHL anyway. Penticton, the year in year out league powerhouse, has 12 out of 25 who would be ineligible. Out of region, mostly Eastern US and Ontario.

 

[Sanderson]

CHL - NHL agreement is absolute garbage.

Terrible for development on certain guys. Korchinski for Chicago is the perfect example. Way too good for Jr, but definitely could’ve benefited from the AHL.

It is very much the exact opposite of that. What you want to have would be of huge detriment to development of talent in general.

A teenager who is not good enough for the NHL sure as heck isn't too good for juniors, nor does anyone get hurt in his development playing there. The whole idea is asinine. Sidney Crosby dominated the QMJHL as a 16 year old, it didn't hurt him one bit to play one more year in juniors, even though he was much much better than all those players who supposedly are "too good for juniors". Same thing applied to Mario Lemieux. Leon Draisaitl clearly wasn't ready for the NHL right after his draft, and he gained a ton by going back to juniors, seeing how he was a much better player in the next season. The instances of a player actually being too good for juniors are extremely rare, and in all of those cases, the players were most definately good enough to play an important role in the NHL.

Getting rid of the CHL-NHL agreement gives you questionable advantages to a bunch of players at best. On the other hand, however, you remove the best players from the development leagues, which lowers the standards of those leagues. With lower standards comes less development, so you hurt a ton of players through that move. You also reduce interest in the leagues, which means less money for the teams and thus even less money to spend on development. In other words: you are biting the hand that feeds you; harming the development of hockey players in general for no actual advantage.

 

[bcspragu]

I think people are over looking the fact these tenders and “commitments” aren’t worth the paper they are printed on. Will most of these players play in the OHL/CHL? Probably not. Are there a number of players using these commits to avoid teams they don’t want to play for and push their way to certain teams in the “draft”? Also likely.

Certain teams in the OHL flip these “committed” kids at a pretty decent rate. All comes down to where the kid wants to develop.