Slowpace, as OMG points out, you missed my point. which was...
Almost nobody, save for the desperate and/or uninformed signs a "one-for-one" school package anymore. I'm not talking about 'add-ons' to make it similar to a gold package or anything they provide for during the high school years. I'm saying Player X, drafted in the 4th round (for example) is not signing a one-for-one. Maybe he was a 2nd round talent that told prospective GMs that he had NCAA interest in order to 'fall' to a more preferable situation. Maybe he had a 95% average in school in his draft year. Nobody but the principles (not principals) know for sure.
First rounders get Gold Packages. Second rounders get equivalent to Gold Package. Third/Fourth rounders, depending on their showing in camp, get two-for-ones or, more likely, three-for-ones (and some get four-for-ones!). Not counting goalies, Ottawa's current roster has 4 players drafted later than the 3rd round. If you think Bitten, Clark, Maggio or Yule gave up their NCAA eligibility for a 1-year, $12,000 conditional scholarship at a Canadian university, you'd be very mistaken.
And to your other point, yes, the more affluent clubs have way more flexibility to do this. And, contrary to your notion, London is the king of it. Remember, one night of London gate receipts is equal to that of Flint, Mississauga, North Bay and Peterborough COMBINED. Multiply that by 34 homes dates + playoffs + merchandise and you have financial clout. Ever wonder why clubs like Flint, Mississauga (unless the player is from the GTA), North Bay and Peterborough have trouble getting players to report? One, they're often not very good and, two, they often lack the resources to attract players with NCAA interest who refuse to sign for 'minimum wage' (i.e. one-for-one).