HockeyPops
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- Aug 20, 2018
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If my memory serves me correct this was a talking point around 2919/2020 season. It was discussed along with some of the changes they adapted for the imports. Re- giving first year imports a trade window if they were not happy with their present team. The OA goalie as a not an OA makes sense as far as goalie development goes. It seems to take longer for the goalies to hone their trade. I think it is a good idea.
But would lead to younger Ontario goalies not playing in the OHL, which would have them start going other routes to play at 16/17. Losing younger goalies to NCAA and USHL isn't going to help a developmental change if you ask meI agree. When you consider how few North American Goalies play starting roles at the NHL Level, you have to think there needs to be some sort of development change.
Most goalies aren’t starting in the OHL until at least 18.But would lead to younger Ontario goalies not playing in the OHL, which would have them start going other routes to play at 16/17. Losing younger goalies to NCAA and USHL isn't going to help a developmental change if you ask me
Most goalies aren’t starting in the OHL until at least 18.
My personal opinion is 16 year old goalies should be playing Midget AAA as starters as much as possible. Then at 17, move to Jr A/B or OHL of good enough.
I can’t remember the last time the 67s played a 16 or 17 year old 25+ games.
OHL teams will and can still sign their young goalies either way.
So with the exception of the 2 or 3 that get picked in the top 3 rounds annually, it should change anything much.
If a goalie is good enough to turn pro at 20, he will. If the goalie is a pivotal player and can’t turn pro for whatever reason, he’d stay as an OA anyway.
All that said, the 67s have Cranley (StL), Donoso and Mackenzie. If the 67s keep Cranley as an OA next year if StL is ok with it, they’d have Donoso at 19 and Mackenzie at 18. But it would be reasonable to assume each goalie would get one year as a starter provided they all deserve it. That isn’t a lot different than now for the average starting goalie.
EDIT: I should add that it doesn't look good for Canadian goalies right now. There really aren’t many playing in the NHL as starters. Clearly there is an issue. The CHL barred Import goalies for a while to increase opportunity for Canadian goalies but that didn’t last very long. Something needs to change so this seems it could be reasonable by raising the age eligibility bar so as to not rush goalie development as teenagers.
Looking at the top 25 NHL goalies in Wins this season, only two are an OHL goalie (Jack Campbell and Robin Lehner) and neither is Canadian.
I can't exactly speak to the culture within other countries, but I get a strong sense that u20 hockey is just so much more heavily glamorized compared to elsewhere, and because of this we see so much more of an urgency to find a place in a u20 league rather than a more natural progression through a u18 level. A lot of these kids earn spots in major junior or tier II because of the promise they show but then only see half the workload (or less) than would get in u18. It just seems like these others countries have their u16/18/20 hockey and mostly have their kids play with their peer group unless they force their way up.
I doubt it flies with the CHL but I think it would be in hockey canada's best interest to further limit u18 spots in major junior, and create an elite u18 program similar to the US model. Two or maybe four rosters worth of 16/17 year olds that would live/study/train in an academy type setting and play a full season's worth of games made up of intersquads matches against each other, exhibitions versus tier II teams and perhaps sandbagging some top u18 tournaments. Especially when it comes to our goalie issue in Canada, I can't help but wonder how much some of them and therefore the program would benefit if a group of top 16/17 year old goalies were brought along in that type of environment versus maybe seeing 15-20 games per season as a backup on a junior team.
Another effect this would have is that you would add more OA players. This take a few opportunities away from 16 yr old players. This could be a positive or negative effect depending on who you are. I'd consider it positive because there's a lot of 16 you old players who could use more development but get forced into the O too early. This rule would allow more 16 yr Olds to play Jr A/B in their 1st season.
I agree partially with what you're saying. Most 16 year old goalies shouldn't be in the OHL. But I don't think AAA Midget is the answer either. Most of the shooters they would be going up against aren't ever going to be OHL calibre players. They need a higher level of competition to hone their skills.Most goalies aren’t starting in the OHL until at least 18.
My personal opinion is 16 year old goalies should be playing Midget AAA as starters as much as possible. Then at 17, move to Jr A/B or OHL of good enough.
I can’t remember the last time the 67s played a 16 or 17 year old 25+ games.
OHL teams will and can still sign their young goalies either way.
So with the exception of the 2 or 3 that get picked in the top 3 rounds annually, it should change anything much.
If a goalie is good enough to turn pro at 20, he will. If the goalie is a pivotal player and can’t turn pro for whatever reason, he’d stay as an OA anyway.
All that said, the 67s have Cranley (StL), Donoso and Mackenzie. If the 67s keep Cranley as an OA next year if StL is ok with it, they’d have Donoso at 19 and Mackenzie at 18. But it would be reasonable to assume each goalie would get one year as a starter provided they all deserve it. That isn’t a lot different than now for the average starting goalie.
EDIT: I should add that it doesn't look good for Canadian goalies right now. There really aren’t many playing in the NHL as starters. Clearly there is an issue. The CHL barred Import goalies for a while to increase opportunity for Canadian goalies but that didn’t last very long. Something needs to change so this seems it could be reasonable by raising the age eligibility bar so as to not rush goalie development as teenagers.
Looking at the top 25 NHL goalies in Wins this season, only two are an OHL goalie (Jack Campbell and Robin Lehner) and neither is Canadian.
AAA midget is brutal for 90% of the teams. Only a handful of teams actually take it serious and provide any development for the next levelI agree partially with what you're saying. Most 16 year old goalies shouldn't be in the OHL. But I don't think AAA Midget is the answer either. Most of the shooters they would be going up against aren't ever going to be OHL calibre players. They need a higher level of competition to hone their skills.