Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Johns to Notre Dame

NTDP defenseman Stephen Johns committed to Notre Dame for the 2010 season.

The big defenseman is a native of the Pittsburgh and played for the Pittsburgh Hornets organization. That's the same team that produced current Notre Dame forward Pat Gaul.

Also of note, Des Moines Buccaneers forward Alex Chiasson committed to Boston University. Chiasson is a highly-rated forward for this summer's NHL draft, and BU was desperate for forwards for next season.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

With the USHL being the road to college hockey why is there no focus on the students in the league?
From OHL website:
OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month
Created: Nov 3, 2008

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October.

West Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for October in the West Division is defenseman Nathan Chiarlitti of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club. Nathan, 16, a native of Maple, Ontario is currently enrolled at Northern Collegiate High School in Sarnia.

“Nathan is off to a great start in his rookie OHL season. He currently maintains a 92% average with a full course load,” commented Caroline White, Academic Advisor for the Sarnia Sting.

Midwest Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for October in the Midwest Division is forward Jeff Skinner of the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club. Skinner, 16, a native of Markham, Ontario was the Rangers First Round Selection in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

Dave Tennant, Academic Advisor for the Kitchener Rangers, had this to say about Jeff, “Jeff is a first year player in the OHL and is making an impact not only on the ice for the Kitchener Rangers, but also in the classroom. His hard work in making the transition to a new team, new community and new high school is being rewarded with excellent marks, ones that will allow him to pursue a post-secondary education at the school of his choosing.”

Central Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for October in the Central Division is center Freddie Hamilton of the Niagara Ice Dogs Hockey Club. Hamilton, 16, a native of Toronto, Ontario is a Grade 11 student at Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines.

“Freddie Hamilton has not only adjusted to his new hockey surroundings in Niagara but is also focused on his academic endeavours. Freddie has achieved an astounding 98% average thus far in Grade 11 Chemistry, Computer Engineering and English,” raved Tim Tope, Academic Advisor for the Ice Dogs.

East Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for October in the East Division is goaltender Kevin Bailie of the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club. Bailie, 16, a native of Belleville, Ontario, is a Grade 11 student at Henry Street High School.

Tom Buchanan, Academic Advisor for the Oshawa Generals commented on Kevin’s achievements, “Kevin Bailie has made a smooth transition into the OHL. Kevin is taking university courses and has a 85% average.”

Each month, the OHL recognizes a player from each Division who is striving to reach his full potential in his educational program while playing in the Ontario Hockey League.

90% of the players currently playing in the Ontario Hockey League are attending high school or post-secondary institutions. For the 2007-08 playing season, 189 OHL graduates are currently attending Canadian universities on scholarships from their OHL teams.

Anonymous said...

why r u habs always knocking everything american; the ushl teaches our boys about underage drinking, debauchery, and teen pregnancy, essentials prerequisites to an enjoyable experience @ american universities.

Anonymous said...

This is a site about US college hockey.

SimonTemplar said...

Kramer, too funny.

Anon
This is a site about US college hockey.

Yes we know but our good ole NCAA Hockey Blogger always brings up the CHL. Not always in good light but it's there.

Anonymous said...

"90% of the players currently playing in the Ontario Hockey League are attending high school or post-secondary institutions. For the 2007-08 playing season, 189 OHL graduates are currently attending Canadian universities on scholarships from their OHL teams."

Anonymous 8:17: Where is the link to the above info?

Anonymous said...

From OHL website:

Anonymous said...

Can you provide a link?

Anonymous said...

http://www.letsplayhockey.com/957russo.html

Another informative article on CHL vs college route

Anonymous said...

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/news/?id=5879

link for academic news

SimonTemplar said...

What Russo doesn't tell you is how many CHLers are in school right after Major Junior is finished. If they don't make pro or semi pro they have shool paid for by the league to attend the school of their wish. As of right now Western University in London has many OHL players who have returned to pick up their studies and at no cost to them. There are others going to US Colleges also paid for by CHL teams and it's players who have finished Major Junior. His graduate number is total bunk because he takes it when players are still playing or have not finished school yet. Russo can jazz those numbers up all he wants but it's still all bunk..

Anonymous said...

Simon, Can you explain how the CHL works in providing the education to the players? Is it one year played = one year of school? What if they don't play the whole year or what happens if they get traded? Which team covers the "scholarship" or does the league cover it. Is it just for schools in Canada or can they go back to the states?

SimonTemplar said...

The cost is covered by teams.

But the league has also gotten involved making sure all players get their costs covered. It is one year for one year. Most players play four to five seasons but also a lot of the high pics end up in pro. I am having sports bar food tonight with a buddy who played in the 80's. He has his own accounting business and lives pretty well. Whats surprising is the amount of players that end up as Cops or Firefighters. In Ontario that pays a pretty good living up over a $100,000 per year now with benefits up the ying yang.

In case no one has heard yet, The NTDP Goaltender Maxwell is OHL bound we heard this afternoon. He also had a BC commitment so maybe that's done now.

Windsor / Erie are in play with some deal cooking.