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Players leaving for the NCAA: Starting to become a problem for the CHL
Marc-Olivier Cook
Players leaving for the NCAA: Starting to become a problem for the CHL
Credit: Getty Images
Right now, it’s not the best-kept secret in the world.

Seeing CHL players leave for the NCAA is no easy feat for junior hockey in Canada.

And the problem? It’s likely to get worse over time…

The thing is, the NCAA has some things the QMJHL, OHL and WHL don’t: they offer players a salary… and the guys get to live on the big university campuses.

It’s just not the same.

Especially since the big schools have really impressive facilities too. The idea of leaving the CHL to join the university ranks is popular right now with Canada’s top prospects, and it’s starting to become a problem for the CHL.

And as Martin Leclerc(Tellement Hockey) said, it’s hard for the CHL to find solutions to this problem…

What is happening and what will happen is that the CHL will reduce the quality of its product.

If the best prospects leave junior hockey in Canada and move to the United States, as we’re seeing right now, it has an impact on the talent in the OHL, the QMJHL and the WHL… and that’s too bad, because even then, the CHL can’t do much to stop them.

Initially, we thought it would be a good idea because it would allow the guys to go and play in a better caliber to pursue their respective development.

But with all the names that have left and will be leaving, others will say that it’s less attractive to play in Canada… and this will encourage even more players to leave for American universities.

All of which is to say that the situation is rapidly becoming difficult for the CHL and its management.

And unless some kind of solution is found… the problem is going to get even bigger before long.


Overtime

– I can’t wait to see McDavid’s performance in the final.

– Really?

– I’m getting chills.

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