Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
Well the CHL is stopping you if you played there as a 16/17 year old.
The CHL shouldn't get to have its cake and eat it too. If you don't want to pay players that's fine, but you shouldn't actively get to block players from going on to play in the AHL.
Also, the scholarship is pretty restrictive I believe. I think it evaporates the minute a player goes pro.
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The sponsorship does need its rules relaxed, though for players who aren't signed to NHL/AHL contracts - i.e.: decide to take a shot in the ECHL or in a non-top tier European league, they can play one year of pro before forfeiting the scholarship. The scholarships are also - unless there has been a recent change - restricted to universities. Trade schools and many colleges not included. That needs to change.
None the less, the WHL does pay its players a modest stipend (likewise, probably need to be raised and tied to inflation), pays for equipment, subsidizes the billets. Would all of these become taxable benefits? Also, good luck to the 16 year old having to file tax returns for four provinces and two states.