The Memorial Cup

[speede5]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Excuse my ignorance, but doesn't the CHL/OHL place limits on "deal sweetening"?

Any player who is good enough to be drafted is most likely good enough to get a full ride at some college. That's hard to compete with and the smaller market teams quite often are told, don't bother drafting me.

As for the players, the prospects of going to a strong program like Calgary, with access to the Flames trainers, full time goalie coaches, power skating, etc. rather than Moose Jaw with half the staff is definately more attractive.

I don't really blame the kids, signing in the dub is a career choice and there is a cost. Giving up 100k in scholarship is not a easy decision.

It's pretty hard to bribe a player but family's have been known to benefit from time to time. Ie: a job from a local business that happens to support the team so they can move to town while their kid plays.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I didn't know about any of this... I'm curious...

1. Why do these kids care which team they play for?

Long running allegations - especially in the OHL - that junior teams pay star players under the table. And pay well. Especially large market teams like London. The accusations often come from the NCAA which, while probably accurate, are also remarkably hypocritical.

2. Where is their leverage?...where else would Domi play, for example, if the Frontenacs held firm?

He could have played Junior A until graduation and then moved on to NCAA college. The NCAA is becoming a more attractive route than it used to be, which is part of the reason why the OHL added the compensation for unsigned picks and changed its rules around the trading of first round picks in their midget draft.

The OHL, basically, is corrupt as hell in this regard. Brampton, for instance, was able to draft and sign both Cody Hodgston and Matt Duchene despite the fact that both players (who shared the same agent) had told every other OHL team they were going the university route instead. And that was 2007-2008. It hasn't gotten much better.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I didn't know about any of this... I'm curious...

1. Why do these kids care which team they play for?

2. Where is their leverage?...where else would Domi play, for example, if the Frontenacs held firm?

1. There's millions of dollars available if you get an NHL career. Would you want to play for London that's had a bunch of high picks, goes to the Memorial Cup often or Flint where the owner fires the coach because he isn't playing his son enough?

2. As mentioned they can play Junior A or its close enough here they can go play in the USHL. Or if they are American, they can join the US junior program.


As to why the OHL/CHL doesn't crack down on this, they try to to an extent. Windsor of the OHL and Portland of the WHL got smacked down in the past few years. But in general - they want these players to play in their leagues. There's prestige and money involved in having Patrick Kane for example be an OHL grad instead of a guy who was drafted from the NCAA like Eichel for example.

[PeteMoss]

Its not just an OHL thing. The WHL has Portland (and there's whispers about others). In the Quebec league, its often Halifax who lands certain players.

[Resolute 14]

It's not just the OHL, but it is the most prevalent in the OHL. And as you note, the crackdowns are tricky. The league needs to act when teams get caught being a little too brazen, but for the most part, the CHL and its member leagues would rather operate with a 'don't ask, don't tell' philosophy. They want the best players possible in their leagues.


As to the on-ice result: A little disappointed that Red Deer couldn't pull through the Semi, as it would have made an exciting (start) to the final. But Knights-Huskies is the best final.

[Yamer]

I thought the Rebels had it in the bag until the Huskies got 2 quick ones in the middle of the first. They showed strong signs at parts for the rest of the game, but couldn't get the breaks. A shot went off the post about 8 minutes into the third, and had that gone in I think they would have overcome the early deficit.

The Centrium was bonkers in those first 10 minutes, when the Rebels scored, and after the game. Too bad that energy didn't have the opportunity to last the entire game.

Won't be as exciting on Sunday, but it should be a solid game. Hopefully the Huskies show up and give London a game. Can't wait to see Marner, Tkachuk, and Juolevi.

[The Hendog]

No goals for almost 30 minutes and then 2 in like 30 seconds!!!

[dissentowner]

Come on London, step it up!

[bigtmac19]

Unreal. Power outage here. Possibly not back on for 2 hours. Guess I have to head out somewhere if I want to see the end.

[kn]

Hopefully the Huskies hold on... Always like seeing new teams win.

[dissentowner]

Yes!!! Tie game

[Ashasx]

quite the whiff by tkachuk

[White Out 403]

nice shot. way to go Matt

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

quite the whiff by tkachuk

And quite the goal, ya!!!!

[Ashasx]

well tkachuk had a really good game overall. No chance he's available at 6.

[dissentowner]

What a shot! Way to go Knights.

[OzSome]

That was an exciting finish on Memorial Cup. Future Flame(hoping) Matthew Tkachuk scored the OT winner as London Knights won the Memorial Cup.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

well tkachuk had a really good game overall. No chance he's available at 6.

Teams don't draft based on one game, so there's still a chance.

[Ashasx]

thanks steve

[StrykerSteve]

Happy to help.