Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
Yeah, it could happen in the first 2 or 3 years but like I said they can't stay in college so the player is giving up his college education. It's still an 'either or' situation which handcuffs the NHL team and the player with the NCAA calling the shots while using the antiquated amateur status to get away with it.
I'm not saying these colleges are making money off their hockey programs but they are making money off their basketball and football programs while paying their athletes nothing. It's a great scam based on a false premise.
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Yeah the NCAA and Major Junior are pretty similar in that regard. Both take advantage of kids trying to make the show and make big bucks off of them while paying them nothing.
I'd say there are some flexibilty advantages for both the team and the player when drafting players going the college route. Teams get longer to decide if the want to sign a guy. Players potentially can go to the AHL sooner, or become a free agent.
If an NHL team hasn't signed a player by the start of his 4th season I think its fair enough that the player gets a chance to go to any NHL team. They could always move his rights if they have offered him a contract in years 2-3 and he won't take it.