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Post by Optimus Reim on Aug 13, 2007 7:18:34 GMT -4
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Post by jimmy on Aug 13, 2007 7:47:16 GMT -4
This morning's A-N had a snippet saying that the Cats are still hopeful they can convince Hayes to report this season ... I thought they had given up on him ...
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Post by curtis on Aug 13, 2007 8:03:33 GMT -4
It's too bad Hayes wasn't eligible for the 2007 NHL draft, because I think an NHL team could have convinced him that playing major junior is best for his development.
I've said it before, I don't think it makes sense for a high-end prospect (virtually assured of going in the first round) to play at a lesser level in the US for his age 17 season, and then maybe 1-2 years of NCAA, where you're only getting in 35 games and probably not nearly as much ice-time per game as he would in the Q.
Education isn't part of the equation for guys like Hayes, so the appeal of NCAA puzzles me, but maybe from an American perspective the prestige of playing college sports really is that great.
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Post by Arnold Slick on Aug 13, 2007 20:33:13 GMT -4
Interesting that they mention Patrick Kane at the beginning of that article. I say it's interesting because I look at a guy like Pat Kane whose stock really rose because of playing in the CHL this season. I know it's not really the same for Hayes because he is already considered to be a Top 10 pick for the '08 draft but you could still say that by playing in the CHL he could challenge to become the #1 overall pick just as Kane did. |
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Post by falconone on Aug 13, 2007 20:40:35 GMT -4
Curtis:
First of all, JH is a Boston kid and went to Prep school "Nobles and Greenough" to not only play at a high level of hockey but to prepare himself academically for college opportunities. By growing up in the Boston area he grew up with the kind of hockey atmosphere of an original 6 team, and within an hours drive or so of probably 10 D-1 college hockey teams. So where you might have followed the Cats or a local Mjr Jr. Team he had D-1 National Champions in his backyard. Heady stuff kinda like having your local team win the Memorial Cup for USA players. Only he would have had BU, BC, Maine, UNH etc all close enough to fill his head with dreams.
Realize that if you play NCAA hockey you are NOT limiting you chances to make it to the NHL. And he will still have an opportunity to play Major Junior if he chooses or 'needs' to.
US kids do grow up with a "Dream" to play D-1 college hockey. By staying with the USNDTP program he's not limiting his development (they play a Junior A level schedule) he's expanding his opportunities. Signing a Major Junior contract for USA kids immediately causes them to lose NCAA eligibility. Not an option many US players are willing to rule out.
He's going to end up in the NHL and he's not hurting that chance by keeping his NCAA eligibility either.
Different Cultures, Different Dreams.
F1
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Post by MikeC on Aug 13, 2007 21:32:05 GMT -4
Curtis: First of all, JH is a Boston kid and went to Prep school "Nobles and Greenough" to not only play at a high level of hockey but to prepare himself academically for college opportunities. By growing up in the Boston area he grew up with the kind of hockey atmosphere of an original 6 team, and within an hours drive or so of probably 10 D-1 college hockey teams. So where you might have followed the Cats or a local Mjr Jr. Team he had D-1 National Champions in his backyard. Heady stuff kinda like having your local team win the Memorial Cup for USA players. Only he would have had BU, BC, Maine, UNH etc all close enough to fill his head with dreams. Realize that if you play NCAA hockey you are NOT limiting you chances to make it to the NHL. And he will still have an opportunity to play Major Junior if he chooses or 'needs' to. US kids do grow up with a "Dream" to play D-1 college hockey. By staying with the USNDTP program he's not limiting his development (they play a Junior A level schedule) he's expanding his opportunities. Signing a Major Junior contract for USA kids immediately causes them to lose NCAA eligibility. Not an option many US players are willing to rule out. He's going to end up in the NHL and he's not hurting that chance by keeping his NCAA eligibility either. Different Cultures, Different Dreams. F1 Kinda strange that he's staying with the USNTDP team this year, because as an 89 born player, he can't play in any of the U18 tournaments. |
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