Quote:
Originally Posted by Iceman57
Is this true?
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No. They didn't change anything related to drafted College players in new CBA.
When an NHL team drafts a US College player (a player who has either already played at least one year in the NCAA, or who plays a year in the NCAA prior to two years passing after his draft), his NHL rights become the exclusive property of the drafting team for a minimum of 4 years after his draft.
If the player choses to leave the NCAA before his senior year, the drafting team will hold his rights until June 1 in the year four years after he was drafted. If the player choses to play his NCAA senior year, the drafting team will hold his rights until August 15 of his senior year.
For example:
Justin Schultz was drafted in 2008, and started play in the NCAA in 2009. As a result, he was able to chose to leave college prior to his senior year and became an NHL UFA on June 1, 2012. If he had played his senior year, he would have remained Ducks' property until August 15, 2013.
John Ramage also started play in the NCAA in 2009, but was drafted in 2010. If he had chosen to leave college early, the Flames would have held his rights until June 1, 2014. Because he played his senior year, the Flames hold his rights until August 15, 2013.
Bill Arnold was drafted in 2010 and also started play in the NCAA in 2010. If he had chosen to leave college early, he would not be eligible for UFA status until June 1, 2014. Because he has chosen to play his senior year, he could reach UFA status on August 15, 2014.