Sorry for the lack of posting. I've been away from a computer the past couple days, and it might take me a few to catch up.
DU recruit Stepan Novotny will be signing with the Kelowna Rockets rather than attending Denver. Maybe it will help Novotny's draft status to put up big numbers playing younger competition next year, rather than being an ancillary player on a loaded DU team.
Also, Michigan recruit Jared Knight will be signing with the London Knights. I don't have a solid permalink, but there's a ton of discussion here. Apparently Dale Hunter made quite a pitch to Knight's father at the Select 16 Festival to convince him to sign.
People north of the border are trying to create panic about "all the future first round draft picks going to the CHL," but looking back at the '90 birthdates, the US lost these "future first round picks" to the CHL: Zach Bogosian(1st round), Phil McRae(2nd round), Mitch Wahl(2nd round), Adam Comrie(3rd round), A.J. Jenks(4th round), and Barry Sanderson(still waiting to be drafted), and at last check, there were still NCAA games scheduled for next year, so I guess the lesson is that there are far more "potential first round picks" than actual first round picks, and if these kids want to leave, it's not much of a deal.
It's kind of a shame for both Denver and Michigan. It's a tough blow for Denver because they probably don't have time to add someone for next year, and they've already lost one player in their class with David Carle. It's a little easier for Michigan to replace a 2010 recruit, though it's a shame that they passed on some other, more loyal, players that have made commitments elsewhere since to keep a spot for Knight.
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37 comments:
If its not much of a big deal than there is no point in devoting 1/3 of your blog space over the course of a year to midget-aged players giving their verbal commitments to colleges where they will not enroll unitl between two and four years from now?
If its not much of a big deal why bash kids for not being loyal or for playing "games" in CHL contract negotiations and than ending up in the CHL?
In your blog you remarked Dale Hunter made a quick pitch to Knight Sr. How do you know this to be true ?
Hunter was there at Rochester like many other Hockey Staffs looking at players and probably some of his pics. The Coach blew it open going off on Knight for even talking to his draft team which is nuts.
These kids are under no obligation to any team at this point in their young careers. The sonner Hynes understands that the better off they will be in keeping young talent.
London did nothing wrong except draft a good player and were very open about it. They knew this year was NTDP time and wanted it that way with a loaded roster already 1990 heavy.
I doubt they wanted Jared this year or any other 16 year old.
But now they have to take him and find a roster spot. Michigan Fans should be going off on Mr Hynes not Mr Hunter.
THE Knights show little charactor signing with the NTDP 2 months ago and changing there mind on that and Michigan in that short of a time. Michigan is better off getting a better charactior person and we hope Knight succeeds in London or wherver he gets traded down the road.
Like I have said before...
There is no real battle between the CHL and the NCAA....
Novotny was actually pushed back to 2009 and was set to play another year in the USHL with Indiana. Maybe the push to 2009 led to him looking at other options.
I have to say that your blog is very bias toward the college game and you seem to think that everything that the college game does is righteous. When you say it is not a big deal to lose these potential first round recruits to the major junior ranks you are very wrong. It is a big deal because these kids are talented enough to make a commitment to a division one college at a young age. May I also add that goes the same way for the NCAA "stealing" away potential first rounders such as Jonathon Toews and Kyle Turris from the WHL. Also, what is wrong with bolting somewhere for a lot of money and perhaps getting the same four years of development in the major junior ranks (ages 16-20) rather than 18-22 in the NCAA ranks. It is also up to whatever best suits the players, their mental and physical status may play large roles in the readiness of a player to got major junior at the age of 16 or go NCAA at the age of 20. I have a cousin who played division one at Harvard and an uncle who played in teh OHL. Each route is unique and great for whichever means may suit your talent level. Also, you say some kids give up their educations by going the CHL route, I think that you are very wrong because the last time i checked Denver and North Dakota were not exactly the best academic schools.
Novotny is listed as a 2009 by Heisenberg. FYI.
Simply because it is a big deal and everyone can see that the NCAA is getting hammered by the CHL.
I don't think most DU fans are losing sleep over Novotny's decommitment. He had something like 10 points in 45 games for the Ice. Not exactly a blue chip recruit.
Hey Noon, do you wanna know why he devotes what he does on this blog? It's because "HE CAN, ITS HIS BLOG". If you don't like it, don't read it!
dont worry about the delay..your blog is great and you an awesome job...thanks
Simontemplar, your wrong! Knight signed a binding contract to play for the NTDP so he is under an obligation to play for the NTDP. That contract has a 50K out clause which will obviously be paid for by London. Nothing like having someone step in and bail you out of your regrettable choices.
There are lots of rumblings that this was an AJ Jenks type of deal that was done at draft time and Knight was just looking for a good excuse to use to bail on the NTDP and pin the blame on the NTDP.
Hey 3:05 PM
Denver is a pretty good school. NDak on the other hand is more like a Comm College.
This is a good blog. And I love the NCAA/CHL talk.
Both ways are good for each player.
Hockey (College-Major A) Fan.
"...the last time i checked Denver and North Dakota were not exactly the best academic schools."
They are both fine institutions of learning. You get out of your education exactly what you put into it, whether it's Minnesota State Mankato or Harvard.
I said this somewhere else...
Go to the CHL if you want to develop your hockey abilities and have an opportunity for a higher education. Go to an NCAA college if you want a higher education with an opportunity to develop your hockey abilities. It's a simply choice really. And if I was a top notch player, realizing there's life beyond hockey, the choice would be very clear for me.
The CHL is bragging over getting Novotny? Oh lord....
I wrote that comment about hte schools and I do understand that it was you put into it. Also, I am not bashing the NCAA like I said I am simply saying a certain option is better for some players. Knight seems to be one of those kids who will be ready for the CHL. The NCAA has come a long way, but anyone that has seen a CHL game will agree that it is a higher level of play. However, I believe that many of you are right that Knight was not right in backing out of a commitment to the NTDP. These kids should learn that a commitment from such a honor as playing for your nation should not be taken lightly. I really enjoy this blog, but all I am saying is that there is no one right way.
the ntdp buyout is $10k if the kid wants out. However, Hynes/ntdp refused to let Reddin out of his contract last year and told Portland of the WHL they had to pay $70k or they would not release Reddin from his contract.
Hey 12:41, NTDP has signed players who had signed with CHL teams prior to signing a NTDP committement and have gone after others, they can hardly cry foul
Simontemplar, I've always liked your comments on this blog but I will correct you on 2 things. Dale Hunter made a strong pitch to Mr. Knight (not a quick one but a strong, persuasive one) and he came up there for one reason...JK. I disagree with you on any "obligations" in their young years. Making a commitment is an obligation to stick with it, BUT I will also give a young man, such as JK, the benefit of the doubt since they are "entitled" to change their mind at such a young age. Let the kid fulfill his dreams where his heart is and that's in the "O". Good luck to JK and to the kid that fills JK's spot on the NTDP team.
UND is a great Engineering and Aviation school. Also, I wouldn't call it a community college, that is SCSU :)
"Anonymous said...
I have to say that your blog is very bias toward the college game.."
A blog named Western College Hockey may be biased towards the college game? Gee, ya think?
Simontemplar, I've always liked your comments on this blog but I will correct you on 2 things. Dale Hunter made a strong pitch to Mr. Knight (not a quick one but a strong, persuasive one) and he came up there for one reason...JK. I disagree with you on any "obligations" in their young years. Making a commitment is an obligation to stick with it, BUT I will also give a young man, such as JK, the benefit of the doubt since they are "entitled" to change their mind at such a young age. Let the kid fulfill his dreams where his heart is and that's in the "O". Good luck to JK and to the kid that fills JK's spot on the NTDP team.
A pitch was probably made to JK but who intitated it. The fall-out with Hynes I suspect and Hunter going to the Select thing in Rochester was public knowledge to check on players.
A follow up interview with Knight by the Scouting News shed some more light on the whole situation.
Things changed in a big way when he was drafted by London at the OHl draft. He never expected that to unfold by his account so that was the biggest factor.
He probably can see a quick 3 year route to getting drafted and playing in front of tons of scouts in the region.
The timing is bad yes, but for the NTDP and Michigan it's far better now than in October at least for the NTDP who can substitute another player into the fold.
We can always agree to dis-agree.
Simon
Jared Knight's spot on the NTDP was easily filled by another Michigan player Austin Czarnik who skated circles around Knight in Rochester. There is no comparison between the upside potential of these two players either. Czarnik's cousin Robbie is a University of Michigan commit so theres a good chance Austin Czarnik will commit there one day too. The NTDP and Michigan are not losing anything with Knight leaving for the OHL.
How could things change when Knight was drafted by the Knights?
Jared Knight has always known about the OHL draft and the potential that an OHL team would draft him.
Don't discount the wussy factor here. Hynes is a really tough coach to play for and Knight maybe couldnt hack it
How could things change when Knight was drafted by the Knights?
Jared Knight has always known about the OHL draft and the potential that an OHL team would draft him.
I guess it was the lure of London.
He said he was very surprised being drafted by the Knights and that changed his mind.
There are other teams in the OHL for a US kid like him that have far less appeal. London is close to Michigan plus he joins quite a few other US kids in McRae, Smith, Carlson although McRae now lives here.
London like Kitchener are a big attraction to US kids from NHL drafting perspective. And that right there is the end game for these guys.
Blaming Hynes for Jared Knight leaving is wrong, JK's mind was set before his talk with Hynes. Hynes didn't help matters but even if he DIDN'T talk to JK, the kid was going to the "O". I'm sure Hynes will be talked to by his bosses but in the end, JK was gone and another kid gets an opportunity.
To those who feel "a commitment is a commitment" and once made should never be abandoned... why do they put $50k outs in the contracts if they don't expect anyone to ever use them? Sure, they upped the number to dissuade some teams from picking off most of their players, but if an CHL team with deep pockets wants a player badly enough, well, this is what can happen. Maybe not many teams have enough dough to blow on such a young recruit, but when it does happen as in this case, a good argument can be made that the contract was fulfilled by exercising the out that the NTDP offerred. That's not backing out or decommitting- that's playing by rules that both parties agreed to imo. The out is there for a reason and it's sour grapes to only see one side of it.
"The NCAA has come a long way, but anyone that has seen a CHL game will agree that it is a higher level of play."
I was able to watch quite a few OHL games last year and for the most part, it is not a higher level of play.
There are some damn good players but overall in terms of team play, not better and very few times even on par with what I've seen for years out of the NCAA game, especially in the WCHA.
10.35 PM.Anonymous said...
This argument is very tiring and no way it can be discussed in reality.
The majority of CHL teams have an average age of 18 with many rosters loaded with 16 & 17 yr olds. On the other side if this debate NCAA rosters are Men with the rookies being the age of CHL vets.
No way you can compare and to even try is silly when teams in the NCAA have roster players born in 1984.
"I was able to watch quite a few OHL games last year and for the most part, it is not a higher level of play.
There are some damn good players but overall in terms of team play, not better and very few times even on par with what I've seen for years out of the NCAA game, especially in the WCHA."
LISTEN UP FELLAS ...... Its the age of the players that dictates the level of play. Period!!!
A Midget house team will probably have a higher level of play and beat a Pee Wee AAA team but that doesn't mean those Midget players are more skilled or talented.
The average age of an incoming NCAA freshmen is 19. The average age that a Major Junior player plays his last season in the CHL is 19.
The East Coast Hockey League is a higher level of play than both the NCAA and CHL, why? Because half the league is made up of players in their mid-20's. But you would be hard pressed to find many players considered rising prospects who are playing in the ECHL.
Why do you think the NHL teams want to get their top draft picks from the NCAA signed into the AHL as soon as possible? Because if they are to be playing against 19-24 year olds they want them doing it in the AHL with higher age appropriate development.
Why do you think the NHL would agree with the CHL that signed draft picks who don't make their NHL clubs are returned to their CHL club and not to the AHL? Because the NHL teams believe that their prospects are receiving the best age appropriate development.
Hynes wanted to fight Dale Hunter down in Rochester.
Maybe John should worry about too many men penalties, and actually comunicating positively to his players..the debacle of last years World Junior shed light on his abilities
"He said he was very surprised being drafted by the Knights and that changed his mind."
That scenario is not believable. Teams do not waste a top three round draft pick in the OHL draft on a player who is completely surprised to get drafted and has no inkling that the team plans to draft him or no interest WHATSOEVER in playing in the OHL. A team might use a pick on a player who is uncommitted or still exploring options but won't commit to play in the OHL but in this case Knight had signed with the NTDP.
Obviously London communicated to the Jared Knight that they had a strong interest and wanted to draft him. But If Jared Knight was really so firmly set on going to the NTDP all along than that would have been communicated to the Hunters prior to the draft.
So come on look at the circumstances, anyone with common sense knows that Jared Knight's signing with the NTDP was probably just a leverage play and something was cooking with London all along.
People north of the border are trying to create panic about "all the future first round draft picks going to the CHL," but looking back at the '90 birthdates, the US lost these "future first round picks" to the CHL: Zach Bogosian(1st round), Phil McRae(2nd round), Mitch Wahl(2nd round), Adam Comrie(3rd round), A.J. Jenks(4th round), and Barry Sanderson(still waiting to be drafted), and at last check, there were still NCAA games scheduled for next year, so I guess the lesson is that there are far more "potential first round picks" than actual first round picks, and if these kids want to leave, it's not much of a deal.
You are gutless moderator...my post about Hynes behaviour in Rochester and at the World Jr's last year is now common knowledge...and you can't let it through because truth hurts, eh?
Yes, it does matter...
Watson, Archibald, Knight, Carlson, and soon to be Saad...
It does matter
Gutless...
Hynes wanted to fight Dale Hunter down in Rochester.
Ah hahhahha this is too funny.
But if so then my money is on Dale at 4-1 for a KO. He is still a big guy and in good shape with hands the size of footballs.
Hey it's a DonnyBrook on the concourse with Hunter plouging Hynes in the seats. ( or was that Turgeon ) LOLOL
Almost forgot, London have scheduled a press conference on this July 4 at the JLC 10 am.
Denver is a fairly tough school - private, top 100 ranked in National USNews out of some 3,500 schools. Avg student there is a 3.5 GPA in HS and test score of 1100-1200 on SAT. It's not Harvard, but it's not an easy place either. A lot of very good hockey players have been declined by admissions there over the years.
I hear USA hockey isn't releasing Knight out of spite. Since he decided to reneg and go to London, they're not giving up. My question is, what does this accomplish? Do they think this will deter future phenoms from turning their backs on the NTDP? I suspect it may have an opposite effect. If we're supposed to be doing what's best for the players and the sport, what good does it do anyone to keep this kid off the ice? More likely, the immature, punitive stance will inhibit future great Midgets from considering an NTDP/USA Hockey offer. Looking at how they're treting Knight, if I were a first-round-caliber prospect, I'd say, screw'em!
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