Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Really? And what do you think?
Has a player ever gone from NCAA to CHL? It might happen all the time for all I know, but I cant say that I've ever heard of it that I can recall.
What would that do to his eligibility next year? Where would he go from there?
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Well in Flames past history Mr. Chuck Kobasew left college to go to the WHL. Not sure if it really helped or hindered his development at all.
AJ Thelen who was a first rounder left college and went to the WHL but his career was a disaster.
A search of the internets reveals Jeremy Bracco (drafted 61st overall last draft) just left Boston College for OHL's Kitchener Rangers. Charlie Coyle who plays for the Minnesota Wild now left Boston University to play with the Saint John Sea Dogs a few years back.
What would it do for his eligibility? Well he'd no longer be eligible for college. He could go to the AHL next year though.
I don't really have any strong feelings one way or the other which way would be best for his development. I think both options are solid. I think Hickey's unlikely to stay in college for all 4 years unless he really, really wants to because I feel he'll be ready to turn pro before he finishes his degree. Whatever he decides is fine. He's in a great college program now with a history of producing NHLers, but Red Deer certainly is a strong program with a good history of producing NHLers as well.