Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - NHL considering moving up the draft age to 19

driveway · 03-05-2016, 09:15 PM

I don't see a big need for this. Unlike the NBA, where being drafted ends your amateur career for reasons I don't understand, drafted hockey players can still play junior or NCAA hockey.

It's only the very elite 18-year olds who play in the NHL, there's like what... Two? Maybe? Each season who make the jump, five or six in a really deep draft.

If there was the issue which NCAA basketball faced (and faces in the one-and-done era) of all the best players leaving I think this would be important. As it is, I don't think it's an issue.

03-05-2016, 09:15 PM	#12
driveway A Fiddler Crab Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Exp:	I don't see a big need for this. Unlike the NBA, where being drafted ends your amateur career for reasons I don't understand, drafted hockey players can still play junior or NCAA hockey. It's only the very elite 18-year olds who play in the NHL, there's like what... Two? Maybe? Each season who make the jump, five or six in a really deep draft. If there was the issue which NCAA basketball faced (and faces in the one-and-done era) of all the best players leaving I think this would be important. As it is, I don't think it's an issue.