Gaudreau to stay at Boston College for 2013-2014 - Page 6 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

The Yen Man · 04-10-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

What I never understand is why people feel top tier athletes can't get an education after they finish playing sports (or in the offseason).

An entry level contract will provide an athlete with the flexibility and money to be able to pick up his education after his playing career is over or during the summer.

Plenty of athletes finish their degrees in the off-season in other sports, Vince Carter comes to mind specifically due to the backlash of him attending the ceremony to get his degree during the playoffs.

If you are a player that may never get the opportunity in the NHL and don't have teams offering you max ELC's then I recommend staying the four years and making sure that you get that education.

But if you are a young player that has a team offering you 900k on a ELC I say you should take that opportunity, nothing prohibits you from going back and finishing your degree if your career does not go as planned.

I dunno, that's still up to personal choice. I'm not Gaudreau, so I don't know what he's thinking, but I'm guessing being a top athlete in college is pretty sweet. Maybe he wants to experience that for another year and feel he isn't ready to jump to the NHL. Nothing wrong with that IMO. If he feels he can still get the same ELC next year, I don't see the harm in him deciding to stay one more year, further his education, work on his strengthening, have a shot at winning another championship, and living up the college life as an athlete.

valo403 · 04-10-2013, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

What I never understand is why people feel top tier athletes can't get an education after they finish playing sports (or in the offseason).

An entry level contract will provide an athlete with the flexibility and money to be able to pick up his education after his playing career is over or during the summer.

Plenty of athletes finish their degrees in the off-season in other sports, Vince Carter comes to mind specifically due to the backlash of him attending the ceremony to get his degree during the playoffs.

If you are a player that may never get the opportunity in the NHL and don't have teams offering you max ELC's then I recommend staying the four years and making sure that you get that education.

But if you are a young player that has a team offering you 900k on a ELC I say you should take that opportunity, nothing prohibits you from going back and finishing your degree if your career does not go as planned.

It ain't free when you go back. At BC that means another 40k+ per year just in tuition.

kyuss275 · 04-10-2013, 10:02 AM

As a dad i would want Gaudreau to finish his degree. As a flames fan i don't have a problem of him staying in school this year, but i am worried if he finishes off his degree that he might test UFA.

It's no secret that other teams want him. With Gaudreau living in Boston, more than likely having close friends living in Boston, maybe a girlfriend in Boston, and the Bruins having interest in him, not hard to see he might want to stay in Boston after his degree.

nik- · 04-10-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

And I don't understand why some fans and the media think they know what is better for the kid than him and his family do. This is his choice, not much you can do about it.

The funny thing is, him staying at BC is what's better for him. If people are complaining it's because they want to rush him to the NHL when he's definitely not ready.

moon · 04-10-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyuss275

As a dad i would want Gaudreau to finish his degree. As a flames fan i don't have a problem of him staying in school this year, but i am worried if he finishes off his degree that he might test UFA.

It's no secret that other teams want him. With Gaudreau living in Boston, more than likely having close friends living in Boston, maybe a girlfriend in Boston, and the Bruins having interest in him, not hard to see he might want to stay in Boston after his degree.

If he wasn't motivated enough to finish his degree after washing out of hockey I am not so sure he would have done much with the degree if he stuck around and got it in the first place.

Fire · 04-10-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

It ain't free when you go back. At BC that means another 40k+ per year just in tuition.

Even if Gaudreau doesn't pan out in the NHL he will still have made enough that $40k for one more year will be no big deal.

JiriHrdina · 04-10-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

If he wasn't motivated enough to finish his degree after washing out of hockey I am not so sure he would have done much with the degree if he stuck around and got it in the first place.

Life is complicated. Many people intend to finish their schooling and never do for all sorts of reasons. Motivation is just one of them.

moon · 04-10-2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Life is complicated. Many people intend to finish their schooling and never do for all sorts of reasons. Motivation is just one of them.

I guess, but for a kid likely coming off playing at least 3 years of professional hockey and having more than enough money to pay for school those complications are going to be much less than for a normal person and just as likely to affect him using a degree to get work if hockey doesn't work out.

nik- · 04-10-2013, 10:17 AM

If I was playing AHL hockey at 20/21 years old, I wouldn't have enough after 3 years to pay for the rest of my degree. They make less than $100k. One year at BC is $45k.

SuperMatt18 · 04-10-2013, 10:18 AM

I think this was the right move for Gaudreau too, his is still not strong enough for the NHL.

I was just staying I don't understand why the whole "finish your degree" thing is ever a storyline for these top players.

They have a 900k contract waiting that disappears if they get injured while trying to "finish their degree". Your career as a hockey player is limited, you have plenty of time to finish your degree, and the money you make in your limited career, even if its just your 3 year ELC, will be able to cover your tuition.

CaramonLS · 04-10-2013, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gargamel

Warrener is ripping Gaudreau based on Warrener's own assumptions about the kid's motivations for staying in school. We're ripping Warrener for spouting off without having any idea about Gaudreau's real motivations. There's a huge difference there.

You might be able to form a logical argument but at least 3 of the 10 posts previous to mine were pretty blatent personal attacks or just pot shots at the guy.

JiriHrdina · 04-10-2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

I guess, but for a kid likely coming off playing at least 3 years of professional hockey and having more than enough money to pay for school those complications are going to be much less than for a normal person and just as likely to affect him using a degree to get work if hockey doesn't work out.

Meh. Athletes are normal people with normal people problems too.

The money is just one part of this.

I think it's a mistake to try and pretend to understand his personal situation and the factors leading to this decision.

It is remarkable that a kid his age is being criticized by some for staying in school.

SuperMatt18 · 04-10-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

If I was playing AHL hockey at 20/21 years old, I wouldn't have enough after 3 years to pay for the rest of my degree. They make less than $100k. One year at BC is $45k.

If you are a top prospect on your ELC you are likely getting a 90k/season signing bonus (270k total) , a 900k/season nhl salary, and a 70k/season ahl salary (210k total).

If you can't manage that to be able to pay for the last one or two years of your schooling, then you likely aren't going to be successful with or without the degree. You pretty much get 500k guaranteed as a top prospect on an ELC, or for most kids coming out of school with debt, an amount of money that would take 10 years to make.

Gaudreau made the right decision for his personal situation as he isn't physically ready for the NHL/AHL, I just don't think that finishing your degree should be the driving decision when you are a top level athlete.

moon · 04-10-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Meh. Athletes are normal people with normal people problems too.

The money is just one part of this.

I think it's a mistake to try and pretend to understand his personal situation and the factors leading to this decision.

It is remarkable that a kid his age is being criticized by some for staying in school.

I think he is doing the right thing and not criticizing him I just think a little too much gets made of athletes going to school and getting or not getting degrees.

If someone wants a university degree they will end up with one whether they get it for free while playing sports or going back and getting one when their careers are over.

Tinordi · 04-10-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

I think he is doing the right thing and not criticizing him I just think a little too much gets made of athletes going to school and getting or not getting degrees.

If someone wants a university degree they will end up with one whether they get it for free while playing sports or going back and getting one when their careers are over.

It's quite difficult to get back to school after you've been away. Especially when the financial incentives ($40K) in scholarships are gone.

Muta · 04-10-2013, 10:24 AM

Gaudreau is better off developing further in the winning environment in Boston College. Education is hugely important, and it makes our organization look very classy if we're allowing patience with him to finish his education and become a better person as a whole in the meantime. He's getting stronger and will learn to become a leader there, which is also critical to his development.

The kid is still young; I think the only reason people would want him to turn pro now is because they're anxious to see what he can do. I say given his physical stature, he needs to be brought along slowly and efficiently... his development is crucial to the Flames long-term success.

nik- · 04-10-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

If you are a top prospect on your ELC you are likely getting a 90k/season signing bonus (270k total) , a 900k/season nhl salary, and a 70k/season ahl salary (210k total).

If you can't manage that to be able to pay for the last two years of your schooling, then you likely aren't going to be successful with our without the degree. You pretty much get 500k guaranteed as a top prospect on an ELC, or for most kids coming out of school with debt money that would take 10 years to make.

They don't get paid the NHL salary unless they're up in the NHL though no?

mykalberta · 04-10-2013, 10:25 AM

For the Flames its probably the ideal move.

For JD - not sure if I would pass up professional for another year at college.

H2SO4(aq) · 04-10-2013, 10:28 AM

Rhett is a pretty big tool. Used to like hangin out at Cowboys with 17-18 year olds when he was on "LTIR". Wouldn't be very friendly to the fans either. So for him to jump on Johnny because he "wants the ease/fun of college life" is kinda ridiculous.

moon · 04-10-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinordi

It's quite difficult to get back to school after you've been away. Especially when the financial incentives ($40K) in scholarships are gone.

Why?

If his grades are fine then he will have no problem getting into school and with his signing bonus alone he will be way ahead of most kids that are going to school.