TheSanny
Registered User
- May 11, 2011
- 171
- 14
As far as I know, the NHL, AHL and the ECHL are the only professional hockey leagues where the players has to be at least 18 years old at the start of the season in order to participate.
In Europe there is no official age limit as far as I know, but I believe it is 15 or 16 most places.
Auston Matthews just signed with a team in the Swiss league, a league that might be as competitive as the AHL.
In Europe, boys play against men when they are good enough.
I started thinking about this when I heard Matthews was gonna leave NA for EU this upcoming season.
My questions are:
1. If a player is NHL ready when it comes to his skill level and physique, should he be allowed to play in the league before his 18th birthday? (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews and possibly even more players through the years)
2. Should the NHL be allowed to start drafting players at the age of 17, or even 16 if they believe they are ready?
3. Has there always been a 18 year age limit to play in the NHL?
In Europe there is no official age limit as far as I know, but I believe it is 15 or 16 most places.
Auston Matthews just signed with a team in the Swiss league, a league that might be as competitive as the AHL.
In Europe, boys play against men when they are good enough.
I started thinking about this when I heard Matthews was gonna leave NA for EU this upcoming season.
My questions are:
1. If a player is NHL ready when it comes to his skill level and physique, should he be allowed to play in the league before his 18th birthday? (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews and possibly even more players through the years)
2. Should the NHL be allowed to start drafting players at the age of 17, or even 16 if they believe they are ready?
3. Has there always been a 18 year age limit to play in the NHL?