I'm hoping someone can provide an answer on this for me because I'm stumped. Someone please tell me why an aspiring hockey player would choose to go the NC double A route instead of playing in the Western Hockey League if he is a bonafide prospect. Case in point is Regina's Drew George. Drew is on the Notre Dame Hounds midget team that just won the Telus Cup. The Regina Pats own his rights and are hoping he will play for them instead of playing in the BC Junior League with hopes of then playing NCAA hockey in the U-S. The Leader-Post's Greg Harder did a great job in documenting George's story in Tuesday's edition.
George had a great season in Wilcox as he was 2nd in league scoring with 78 points. He then had 10 points in the Sask midget Triple A playoffs. He had seven points in four games at the Telus Cup qualifier in Swift Current and was named MVP and then had three goals and 10 points at the Telus Cup including a three point effort in the final. This kid sounds like he is very good. A career in the NHL could be beckoning.
When I look at the WHL and its scholarship program, I don't know how someone would not want to play at the major junior level knowing the pros are just one step away. There is no better league than the WHL to become developed for the ranks of professional hockey. With Regina being George's home, it means he wouldn't have to play far from home as some do, if you play a year in the WHL, you get a year's tuition paid for if you decide to go to University once your career is done. To me the decision would be crystal clear.
I'm sure the reasons that Drew and his parents have are valid ones and maybe I haven't got enough information in front of me but I really find it inexplicable as to why someone with Drew's talents would want to take the road he is taking when the other road seems to be so much better. When I say this, I am not being critical of the Georges, its just a question that I think needs to be asked. As I said, maybe they don't like the direction the Pats are going, maybe there is something about the WHL they don't like, maybe some other promises have been made. If that's the case, I'm OK with it but I am confused as to why you wouldn't want to play in the best league possible to get ready for the professional game if you have the talent that this kid seemingly has.
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The WHL player of the year is Calgary's Brett Sonne. He had 100 points in 62 games for the Hitmen who battle Kelowna in the league final. Pats forward Jordan Weal did not win rookie of the year. That honour goes to Prince George's Brett Connelly.
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Alex Ovechkin now knows who the other two finalists are for the Hart Trophy symbolic of NHL MVP. The Washington forward goes up against Evgeni Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk in the final balloting. (Just give the award to Ovie now!!)
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With the weather being crappy again and the fact there is no hockey on tonight, I'm going to check out the Blue Jays game. I haven't watched a lot of the Jays this year because of the playoffs but tonight seems to be a perfect night to. Those potent Toronto bats have quite a task in front of them too as they go up against Kansas City's Zack Greinke who is the best pitcher in the American League right now. The game will be on Sportsnet....sort of. I don't know why but Sportsnet is really screwing around with Toronto broadcasts this year. Tonight's game will be on Sportsnet Pacific and Ontario. Sportsnet West gets the Tigers-Yankees and Sportsnet East gets Boston-Cleveland. This is great if you're a baseball fan but if you're a Jays fan and you don't get all the packages you have to wonder what is going on. This isn't the first time this has happened this year. When Toronto was in Minnesota, I was ready to watch the game only to find out it wasn't on. It wasn't until an hour and a half later that I discovered the game was on Sportsnet East and Pacific. This one is a real headscratcher.
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Yahoo Sports says the co-main event for UFC 101 has been signed. It will be Forrest Griffin against Anderson Silva. This coming just days after UFC prez Dana White was vocal with his disgust over the performance Silva gave at UFC 97 against Thales Leites. The big baby BJ Penn will fight Kenny Florian in the other half of the main event for the pay per view which will happen in August.
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If you watched Wrestlemania, you saw Mickey Rourke get in the ring and smack Chris Jericho once the match was over. Vince had wanted Rourke to fight Jericho but that plan went south for one reason or another. Rourke has revealed he his broke his hand on Jericho's mush when he hit him. NICE!!! By the way, the current storyline surrounding 'Santina Marella" that is going on in the WWE may have to be one of the stupidest storylines going. It still doesn't rank up there with the Mark Henry-Mae Young storyline but CMON!!!!
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One last thing. Go to Rider o-lineman Jeremy O'Days website at http://www.jeremyoday.com/. He and other Riders and other members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders are teaming up to help a worthwhile cause. Numerous game worn, as well as autographed items have been donated by players and are available for auction. All proceeds from this auction will go to Jesse's Journey- a foundation that provides funding for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
10 comments:
Mitch:
I cannot understand either why someone would choose the NCAA route over the WHL. The WHL educational program is far more superior than that of the NCAA. Keep in mind that the 4 year full ride deals in NCAA are few and far between. Keep in mind not only do WHL players get 1 year of paid education for every year, but they also get paid post secondary education while they are playing in the WHL. Look at Blair St Martin who played for Medicine Hat Tigers he got 5 years of paid University after he was done playing and had 3 years of University while playing. Because of this he is now a doctor at the expense of the WHL. There are many reasons more why the WHL is far more superior than NCAA, but really most times it comes down to water cooler talk. It sounds better to say my son is on a hockey scholarship to Boston College than playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors.
TC
Maybe the guy would rather experience a free ride and life as a jock at a big US college than getting his education later at the U of R as a washed up hockey player. But you make a good point about the level of competition.
Rourke is BSing about his hand being broken, by the way. He was seen without the cast six days later.
I couldn't agree with you more Mitch. This kid can play in his hometown, he can play in front of friends and family, he can get his tuition paid for if he plays two years, he can get himself ready for a pro career. It all seems so easy--almost too easy I guess. I've often wondered too why kids from around here take the NC double A route. I don't think the hockey is as good but that is just me. Good post!
BC
The Sportsnet thing is pissing me off as well. I only get Sportsnet West, which has shown the Yankee's games for the last couple days.Because the Yankee's are the one team I despise the most, I'm not at all impressed. If they want to show different games, they should restructure they're network, have Sportsnet 1,2,3,4 instead of regions, then have the Jays games on Sportsnet 1.
Stupid Yankee's
Little Johnny
Ask Chris Schlenker if he would be where he is today if it hadn't been for the WHL education program. Ask Kyle Ross what playing in the WHL means when it comes to his tuition. The WHL has a great education policy and it is the best league in the world to get ready for the pros. If this kid and others feel they aren't mature enough for the WHL and want to take the college route so that they are 21,22,23 when they want to be a pro, I'm OK with that too but if I had a choice I'd be taking the WHL.
I always wanted to be the meat in a Mae Young/Fabulous Moolah sandwich.
The part about the WHL education program the league and its teams aren't so quick to tell you is the part where your "Dub Money" disappears if you don't take advantage of it within an alloted timeframe (which I believe is 18 months).
Once a player's WHL career is finished, he can defer his accrued money for the chance to play minor pro hockey. So, if a guy finishes his WHL career and plays one season of professional hockey (at the ECHL or SPHL level), he can enroll in a post-graduate program the following year.
If a player plays two seasons of minor pro hockey, the WHL money is gone, and the player is left to foot the bill on his own.
Someone mentioned the idea of a '4-year ride.' It doesn't exist. NCAA schools can offer student-athletes a one year scholarship offer for a maximum of four years. The school can revoke, rescind or reduce the amount at their discretion, without consulting the student if they deem it to be necessary; and it happens more often than they'd like you to know.
Scholarships are often split between athletes, particularly for athletes in their 2nd and 3rd year of eligibility. The school has the athlete over the barrel as they know the kid isn't likely to leave the program, sit out for a year (as per NCAA and CIS regulations) and transfer to another school having already used a year's eligibility.
Hugh Michaels nailed the answer ... the 'Dub money is great, if you know after 4 years your hockey career is over. However, if you want a shot at the ECHL or AHL, you'll lose your WHL money ... the college route guarantees the education portion, and if hockey fails you have a better fallback plan.
Another negative to the Blue Jays/Sportsnet issue is that Sportsnet West is the only one of the four Sportsnet channels available in HD on Sasktel Max.
What you have to look at, are you still going to be playing hockey when you are 22 or 23 years old. If so, the Major Junior Schooling should not be a considering factor.
NCAA - Full Scholarship includes tuition, books, dorm room and three meals a day. You must maintain a 2.00 GPA and be progressing towards a degree to maintain your eligibility. Meaning, if you stay for four years you are walking out with a Degree. Don't let Scouts tell you that there are hidden costs.
Major Junior - One year for each year played. Includes Tuition and Books only.(No room, no meals - that is your cost) Must be enrolled in a College within one year after your last year of playing or you lose it. So unless your goal is to play at a Canadian University at the age of 21, you schooling is null and void. Do your homework and find out what % of kids actually take advantage of it. Unless this has changed in the past couple of years. I know one player that had to quit halfway through his hockey year in the ECHL and enroll in university, as his WHL Club would not extend the deal. It was enroll or lose four years of schooling.
Here are some other things to consider. The window to make the jump to the next level is not open very long. Major Junior only has that window open until you are 20. For most it is 19. NCAA College gives you an extra 2, 3, or 4 years to develope and get noticed.
Major Junior - Play more games, ride on a bus for hours on end, play in front of 2000 to 4000 fans. Grab a burger on on to the next city.
NCAA - Less Games, more practice, more time for developement. Fly to 75% of your games, play in front of 15,000 fans. They put you on a pedestal and treat you like a king. Steak and spagetti before every game.
These are two different routes that may end up at the same destination. Make sure that the kids are given the options and do the pros and cons of both. It is a major decision that will effect their lifestyle and destination.
Is one better than the other? If Schooling is a factor that you are using. You make your decision based on the facts. What you have to look at, are you still going to be playing hockey when you are 22 or 23 years old. If so, the Major Junior Schooling should not be a considering factor.
NCAA - Full Scholarship includes tuition, books, dorm room and three meals a day. You must maintain a 2.00 GPA and be progressing towards a degree to maintain your eligibility. Meaning, if you stay for four years you are walking out with a Degree. Don't let Scouts tell you that there are hidden costs.
Major Junior - One year for each year played. Includes Tuition and Books only.(No room, no meals - that is your cost) Must be enrolled in a College within one year after your last year of playing or you lose it. So unless your goal is to play at a Canadian University at the age of 21, you schooling is null and void. Do your homework and find out what % of kids actually take advantage of it. Unless this has changed in the past couple of years. I know one player that had to quit halfway through his hockey year in the ECHL and enroll in university, as his WHL Club would not extend the deal. It was enroll or lose four years of schooling.
Here are some other things to consider. The window to make the jump to the next level is not open very long. Major Junior only has that window open until you are 20. For most it is 19. NCAA College gives you an extra 2, 3, or 4 years to develope and get noticed.
Major Junior - Play more games, ride on a bus for hours on end, play in front of 2000 to 4000 fans. Grab a burger on on to the next city.
NCAA - Less Games, more practice, more time for developement. Fly to 75% of your games, play in front of 15,000 fans. They put you on a pedestal and treat you like a king. Steak and spagetti before every game.
These are two different routes that may end up at the same destination. Make sure that the kids are given the options and do the pros and cons of both. It is a major decision that will effect their lifestyle and destination.
Is one better than the other? If Schooling is a factor that you are using. You make your decision based on the facts. What you have to look at, are you still going to be playing hockey when you are 22 or 23 years old. If so, the Major Junior Schooling should not be a considering factor.
NCAA - Full Scholarship includes tuition, books, dorm room and three meals a day. You must maintain a 2.00 GPA and be progressing towards a degree to maintain your eligibility. Meaning, if you stay for four years you are walking out with a Degree. Don't let Scouts tell you that there are hidden costs.
Major Junior - One year for each year played. Includes Tuition and Books only.(No room, no meals - that is your cost) Must be enrolled in a College within one year after your last year of playing or you lose it. So unless your goal is to play at a Canadian University at the age of 21, you schooling is null and void. Do your homework and find out what % of kids actually take advantage of it. Unless this has changed in the past couple of years. I know one player that had to quit halfway through his hockey year in the ECHL and enroll in university, as his WHL Club would not extend the deal. It was enroll or lose four years of schooling.
Here are some other things to consider. The window to make the jump to the next level is not open very long. Major Junior only has that window open until you are 20. For most it is 19. NCAA College gives you an extra 2, 3, or 4 years to develope and get noticed.
Major Junior - Play more games, ride on a bus for hours on end, play in front of 2000 to 4000 fans. Grab a burger on on to the next city.
NCAA - Less Games, more practice, more time for developement. Fly to 75% of your games, play in front of 15,000 fans. They put you on a pedestal and treat you like a king. Steak and spagetti before every game.
These are two different routes that may end up at the same destination. Make sure that the kids are given the options and do the pros and cons of both. It is a major decision that will effect their lifestyle and destination.
Is one better than the other? If Schooling is a factor that you are using. You make your decision based on the facts. What you have to look at, are you still going to be playing hockey when you are 22 or 23 years old. If so, the Major Junior Schooling should not be a considering factor.
NCAA - Full Scholarship includes tuition, books, dorm room and three meals a day. You must maintain a 2.00 GPA and be progressing towards a degree to maintain your eligibility. Meaning, if you stay for four years you are walking out with a Degree. Don't let Scouts tell you that there are hidden costs.
Major Junior - One year for each year played. Includes Tuition and Books only.(No room, no meals - that is your cost) Must be enrolled in a College within one year after your last year of playing or you lose it. So unless your goal is to play at a Canadian University at the age of 21, you schooling is null and void. Do your homework and find out what % of kids actually take advantage of it. Unless this has changed in the past couple of years. I know one player that had to quit halfway through his hockey year in the ECHL and enroll in university, as his WHL Club would not extend the deal. It was enroll or lose four years of schooling.
Here are some other things to consider. The window to make the jump to the next level is not open very long. Major Junior only has that window open until you are 20. For most it is 19. NCAA College gives you an extra 2, 3, or 4 years to develope and get noticed.
Major Junior - Play more games, ride on a bus for hours on end, play in front of 2000 to 4000 fans. Grab a burger on on to the next city.
NCAA - Less Games, more practice, more time for developement. Fly to 75% of your games, play in front of 15,000 fans. They put you on a pedestal and treat you like a king. Steak and spagetti before every game.
These are two different routes that may end up at the same destination. Make sure that the kids are given the options and do the pros and cons of both. It is a major decision that will effect their lifestyle and destination.
Is one better than the other? If Schooling is a factor that you are using. You make your decision based on the facts. What you have to look at, are you still going to be playing hockey when you are 22 or 23 years old. If so, the Major Junior Schooling should not be a considering factor.
NCAA - Full Scholarship includes tuition, books, dorm room and three meals a day. You must maintain a 2.00 GPA and be progressing towards a degree to maintain your eligibility. Meaning, if you stay for four years you are walking out with a Degree. Don't let Scouts tell you that there are hidden costs.
Major Junior - One year for each year played. Includes Tuition and Books only.(No room, no meals - that is your cost) Must be enrolled in a College within one year after your last year of playing or you lose it. So unless your goal is to play at a Canadian University at the age of 21, you schooling is null and void. Do your homework and find out what % of kids actually take advantage of it. Unless this has changed in the past couple of years. I know one player that had to quit halfway through his hockey year in the ECHL and enroll in university, as his WHL Club would not extend the deal. It was enroll or lose four years of schooling.
Here are some other things to consider. The window to make the jump to the next level is not open very long. Major Junior only has that window open until you are 20. For most it is 19. NCAA College gives you an extra 2, 3, or 4 years to develope and get noticed.
Major Junior - Play more games, ride on a bus for hours on end, play in front of 2000 to 4000 fans. Grab a burger on on to the next city.
NCAA - Less Games, more practice, more time for developement. Fly to 75% of your games, play in front of 15,000 fans. They put you on a pedestal and treat you like a king. Steak and spagetti before every game.
These are two different routes that may end up at the same destination. Make sure that the kids are given the options and do the pros and cons of both. It is a major decision that will effect their lifestyle and destination.
Is one better than the other? If Schooling is a factor that you are using. You make your decision based on the facts.
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