Flames prospects at WJC. UPD: Hickey & McDonald make final Team Canada roster

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I always just hope for the underdogs in these tournaments. International hockey is so top heavy that it's nice when smaller, or less prevalent hockey countries upset the powerhouses.

I just hope for good, close games. Watching Canada pulverize some former Soviet satellite state 20-0 is boring.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I couldn't care less why someone cheers for what or who and why. That is up to you, and we should make a thread up "Who or what are you cheering for this WJC?".

I watch it for what it is - a really fun and exciting tournament where you get to see the 'best on best' at that level. Games are often thrilling. Lots of emotion. May only be kids, but the quality of hockey I think is great. It is such a treat of a tournament to watch.

[sureLoss]

Sam Constineno on 960 speculates that Hickey might join Red Deer (who own his CHL rights) after the tournament.

He was clear to say that he has no certainty , but he thinks the lure of a guaranteed berth in the Memorial Cup might sway him.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Sam Constineno on 960 speculates that Hickey might join Red Deer (who own his CHL rights) after the tournament.

He was clear to say that he has no certainty , but he thinks the lure of a guaranteed berth in the Memorial Cup might sway him.

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?

[FlamesAddiction]

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?

Isn't that the loop hole that allows them to become UFAs sooner if they don't sign with the NHL team that drafted them?

[sureLoss]

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?

Really I don't know. If you go the back burner BU just got hit with a bunch of bad news.

Players jumping from NCAA to CHL happens often, but before this season it was pretty rare for it to happen mid season.

Jeremy Bracco (2015 61st OA) left BC mid season a few weeks ago and AJ Greer (2015 39th OA) left BU a couple of days ago. Warren Foegele (2014 67th OA) also left UNH for Kingston after playing 5 NCAA games this year

If Hickey were to leave BU for the Rebels, he wouldn't be able to play in the NCAA again. His options next season would be to an overager in the WHL or play AHL/ECHL/NHL.

Keep in mind Brent Sutter acquired Hickey's WHL rights after personally visiting with him at Canada's Summer WJC camp. So it is possible that Hickey indicated he would be open to leaving BU.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

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?

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.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Isn't that the loop hole that allows them to become UFAs sooner if they don't sign with the NHL team that drafted them?

That only works if four years have passed since the player was drafted. Usually, it's if a player gets drafted at 18, plays a year in the USHL or a Junior A league like the AJHL or BCHL to keep their NCAA eligibility, then starts College as a 19 year-old. Then, they can leave College after their third year, which is 4 years after their draft, and become a free agent.

If Hickey left College now, or at the end of this season, the Flames would still hold his rights for another two years (four years after his draft).

[The Yen Man]

Nice, so that means if Hickey left college for the CHL, we can see him in training camp? If that's the case and Flames sign Janko, I'm looking forward to seeing the two in the rookie tournament.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Really I don't know. If you go the back burner BU just got hit with a bunch of bad news.

Players jumping from NCAA to CHL happens often, but before this season it was pretty rare for it to happen mid season.

Jeremy Bracco (2015 61st OA) left BC mid season a few weeks ago and AJ Greer (2015 39th OA) left BU a couple of days ago. Warren Foegele (2014 67th OA) also left UNH for Kingston after playing 5 NCAA games this year

If Hickey were to leave BU for the Rebels, he wouldn't be able to play in the NCAA again. His options next season would be to an overager in the WHL or play AHL/ECHL/NHL.

Keep in mind Brent Sutter acquired Hickey's WHL rights after personally visiting with him at Canada's Summer WJC camp. So it is possible that Hickey indicated he would be open to leaving BU.

And with BU losing more than a few players recently, it would make sense.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Me being Red Deer born and raised, I'd love to see Hickey go there.

[sureLoss]

From mark masters Twitter feed

Boston U's Brandon Hickey had to postpone four exams to make Team Canada's camp; says profs were confused by his request at first

Hickey on his profs: "At 1st they didn’t know what I was telling them, but I was like, 'It’s a world junior tournament' & they looked it up"

Smiling Joe Hicketts on Brandon Hickey: "We asked him if he wanted a study session up here, but he said he was on winter break"

Hickey didn't bring any books with him to Helsinki; completely focused on #WorldJuniors ... has a week to study before exams after tourney


Lefty Hickey has been playing right side; says he's comfortable in the spot having played his off side a lot growing up & a bit at BU


Hickey paired with Rebels' Fleury (shutdown duo) ... says Haydn keeps (half-jokingly) asking him if he'll bolt BU for Red Deer

[dammage79]

Whats with the exodus at BU right now anyways?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Whats with the exodus at BU right now anyways?

One player was suspended for gambling.

[JohnnyT]

Surelost you should post the recent events at BU from the back burner on here for context, seems like a bit of a mess there currently

[domingo]

[QUOTE=sureLoss;5554124]From mark masters Twitter feed

Lefty Hickey has been playing right side; says he's comfortable in the spot having played his off side a lot growing up & a bit at BU

/QUOTE]

I read that he has a great one-time from the blue line. Playing on his offside would make it easier for him to unload that.

[druetetective]

When can we expect them to announce a starter for boxing day?

[Stay Golden]

Always love watching this tournement, but this year even more so. Congrats to my friends son John for making the team. We found out Saturday night.
Andre is so excited they fly to Finland Christmas eve. Said this is even better than when he was drafted by NJ first round.
Go get the Gold boys!

[sureLoss]

Sweden loses Sebastian Aho to larynx injury.

http://www.tsn.ca/sweden-d-aho-to-mi...njury-1.413730

Means Sweden's roster is down to 7 d-men (they were with 8 with Aho and needed to make one cut) and Adam Ollas Matsson will make the final roster.

[Enoch Root]

Ollas-Mattsson on the team, while Andersson and Kyllington sit at home, is absolutely mind-bottling.