[News] Brandon Hickey's WHL Rights Traded To Red Deer

[sureLoss]

From the Jeremy Bracco rumors denying that he is going to the Kitchner Rangers:

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline Jul 24
These college-commits are in a very difficult spot, pulled in different directions by many people - school, parents, draft team, agent, etc.

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline Jul 24
Until the kid is 100 percent sure he isn't going to college, he is forced to tell everybody he is 100 percent going to college. Stay tuned.

Milano did something similar. Kept saying he was going to BC even among the rumors that he was going to the OHL, then one day announced he was going to the OHL.

Sometimes the player's comments don't mean anything.

One thing that is becoming a trend is that teams are pushing higher end prospects away from the NCAA to the CHL.

[Street Pharmacist]

What's the reason for that? More control on contract status?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

What's the reason for that? More control on contract status?

Probably more so they can bring them through camps. I'm sure we'd like to be able to bring Hickey through main camp and see if he can play, as an NCAA player, he can't.

However, I know if I was a 19 year old highly-touted athletic prospect, I would much rather be a stud on a Boston University campus than toiling around Red Deer.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

They still have a pretty strong team in terms of NHL prospects.

JOHNATHAN MACLEOD (TB 2nd Round Pick)
MAXIM LETUNOV (STL 2nd Round Pick) edit: think BU lost him and is now going to UConn
JORDAN GREENWAY (MIN 2nd Round Pick)
JAKOB FORSBACKA KARLSSON (BOS 2nd Round Pick)
A.J. GREER(COL 2nd Round Pick)
MATT GRZELCYK (BOS 3rd Round Pick)
BRANDON HICKEY (CGY 3rd Round Pick)
DANNY O'REGAN (SJ 5th Round Pick)
ROBBIE BAILLARGEON (OTT 5th Round Pick)
CHARLIE MCAVOY #24 Ranked by FC in 2016 Draft
AHTI OKSANEN (one of the top college free agents)

Major loss of Eichel and O'Connor but should be able to compensate

Flip side just for some perspective

Players for sure leaving (GP - G - A - P):
Jack Eichel (40 - 26 - 45 - 71)
Evan Rodrigues (41 - 21 - 40 - 61)
Cason Hohmann (40 - 11 - 20 - 31)
Matt O'Connor 35 Starts 25W 4L 4T 2.18 GAA .927 Sv%

Players that have been speculated to leave:
Danny O'Regan, (41 - 23 - 27 - 50) May sign with SJ and forgo his senior season, was named an assistant captain by BU though. (Note: Eichel was as well before he signed)
Ahti Oksanen (40 - 25 - 13 - 38) Attended Rangers development camp. Has played both forward and defense, rumored to have garnered considerable NHL interest, Finnish article has stated he intends to return for his senior year.
Matt Lane (41 - 8 - 10 - 18) Attended Canucks development camp, also named an assistant captain but may leave if a NHL opportunity arises.

So it may be a difficult year considering how young BU is and the fact they're losing their number 1 goalie and 37% of their goals scored last year in Eichel, Rodrigues and Hohmann.

[Enoch Root]

And who's on Red Deer by comparison?

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Selfishly hope he plays for the Rebels so I can catch a few cheap games and see what's in store

[sureLoss]

Mark Masters @markhmasters
Brandon Hickey says his phone blew up with messages after his WHL rights were traded; nervous BU coaches calling to make sure he was staying

[CKPThunder]

If Hickey goes to the Rebels then what happens if the Flames don't sign him this year? Does he go back into the draft? Is he a UFA? Do the Flames still hold his rights?

Didn't Mike Comrie do something similar to become a potential UFA? I think that loophole is closed now so I was wondering what Hickey's status would be.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by CKPThunder

If Hickey goes to the Rebels then what happens if the Flames don't sign him this year? Does he go back into the draft? Is he a UFA? Do the Flames still hold his rights?

Didn't Mike Comrie do something similar to become a potential UFA? I think that loophole is closed now so I was wondering what Hickey's status would be.

Because he was drafted as a College player (started College within two years of being drafted), the Flames own his rights for four years from his draft if he leaves College before graduating.

[Da_Chief]

Listening to his interview, he might be a 4 year guy at the NCAA level. Wants to have a backup plan and is working on getting a finance degree.

[flamesfan55]

nvm

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Listening to his interview, he might be a 4 year guy at the NCAA level. Wants to have a backup plan and is working on getting a finance degree.

I would think that anyone worthy of a finance degree would understand the value of those 2 early and big earning years.

There is time to finish the degree later. If he is capable of playing pro hockey now (just saying IF), that is not replaceable later.

[bax]

I just don't understand why Red Deer would give up picks for a player that has showed no inclination to leave school?

Yeah, they didn't pay all that much, but wouldn't those picks be better served in a trade later in the season for a player who will actually play in the memorial cup?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by bax

I just don't understand why Red Deer would give up picks for a player that has showed no inclination to leave school?

Yeah, they didn't pay all that much, but wouldn't those picks be better served in a trade later in the season for a player who will actually play in the memorial cup?

He may have not given inclination publicly, but there may have been things Sutter heard for him to pull the trade (e.g. maybe Brent heard that the Flames are willing to sign him).

It happens a lot in the CHL where teams trade for the rights of players in other leagues. The Hitmen traded for Thatcher Demko's rights last season, even though he showed no public interest in leaving BC.

Sutter is most likely gambling though.

Hickey probably doesn't consider leaving school unless the Flames put a max ELC in front of him where he gets a $92.5k signing bonus for the next 3 years.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Listening to his interview, he might be a 4 year guy at the NCAA level. Wants to have a backup plan and is working on getting a finance degree.

Cue the "ZOMG!!! HE's going to SCHULTZIE us!!! ARGGH RABBLE RABBLE!!!"

[bax]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

He may have not given inclination publicly, but there may have been things Sutter heard for him to pull the trade (e.g. maybe Brent heard that the Flames are willing to sign him).



It happens a lot in the CHL where teams trade for the rights of players in other leagues. The Hitmen traded for Thatcher Demko's rights last season, even though he showed no public interest in leaving BC.



Sutter is most likely gambling though.



Hickey probably doesn't consider leaving school unless the Flames put a max ELC in front of him where he gets a $92.5k signing bonus for the next 3 years.

Yeah that's the only reasonable explanation I can think of. Maybe some private conversations going on in the background.

Just seems kinda strange for a team that is trying to compete for the memorial cup.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would think that anyone worthy of a finance degree would understand the value of those 2 early and big earning years.

There is time to finish the degree later. If he is capable of playing pro hockey now (just saying IF), that is not replaceable later.

Exactly.
And until that offer and money is on the table, you conduct yourself in a honest and 'professional' manner. I am certain he has every intention of finishing his degree. I am sure he will forego school now if that offer and opportunity is on the table.

Edit to add/ask: NCAA ends first. Where Hickey leaving at the end of this NCAA season, what are the rules for being eligible for CHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup?

[FBI]

3 years and then finish his degree over the summer a la JG