Reply To: Junior / CIS / NCAA / ACHA/ ACAC

[Eric Fink]

I like the discussion. I think the elite level players are going to make it to the NHL no matter what. In fact, an added bonus for a player like Jaden Schwartz who has gone the NCAA route, is that if he signs next year and doesn't make the parent club, he gets to play in the AHL as opposed to being forced back to the CHL.

Either way, the teams that sign players at a younger age on both sides of the border are taking large risks at players expense. Would be nice to see both sides not be allowed to commit kids until they turn 17. CHL would not be allowed to have players U17 rostered. This would allow time for the players to explore both options while also taking an extra year to develop and might stop some players who excel at a young age from going the wrong direction.