How Can Jr. A Hockey Leagues Benefit From The New NCAA Rule? Focus On Youth

However, you could always consult a list of available alternatives online before making your choice. Oliver BonkLuke Durda/OHL ImagesI won’t lie: There has been much change to hockey development as a result of NCAA eligibility changes, yet we still are trying to understand their full ramifications. But stakeholders in the industry do offer some interesting theories – one being Canadian Jr A leagues in Ontario should carefully consider their relationship with OHL clubs. OJHL and CCHL teams should consider building stronger relations with teams from NCAA. We’ve witnessed great partnerships before. London Knights players have proven adept at developing NHL draft picks by giving young players extensive ice time immediately following their entry to the OHL. As part of their rookie development program, Knights rookies often play for Jr. B teams like London Nationals, Komoka Kings or St Thomas Stars that are located nearby so staff can keep tabs on players. Recent examples include Easton Cowan, Logan Mailloux Oliver Bonk (2024 Edmonton Oilers first rounder Sam O’Reilly among many more who developed under these Jr. B teams. Once they became full-time OHLers, each was well equipped to assume their designated roles. Such has been its success that I half-jokingly perused last season’s Jr. B rosters to determine which Knight I should keep an eye on during this year’s NHL draft (P.J. Lund’s name came up as one I should keep tabs on!). Fagan, Blake Arrowsmith and Alexei Medvedev). Related Content: Should Easton Cowan’s 47-Game Point Streak Be Eligible For An OHL Record? League Says NoHow can the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Canada Junior Hockey League (CCHL), both located loosely around Toronto and Ottawa respectively, take advantage of this new world order? Take it back.Agents recently proposed increasing the minimum 16-year-old limit from two on an Jr. A team to five or six. Reason being, both leagues may face attrition as players no longer require Jr. A status to preserve NCAA eligibility; yet younger players require minutes, and since more 17-year-old draftees play for OHL teams than 17-year-old draft picks do, why not provide 16-year-old players an incubator environment through talent trading and talent swaps? Ottawa Jr. Senators could receive some high-caliber youngsters just drafted by Ottawa 67’s. Oakville Blades could do likewise for Brampton Steelheads. Would being recruited into another league be perceived as an insulting gesture by your fans and players alike? Maybe so; yet this strategy might just become part of life itself in future seasons! But, what are our options now? OHL teams generally possess more resources for players as well as larger crowds than ECHL clubs do. Jr. A teams still want to win championships, but you can do that using both veteran players and rookies. It will be interesting to watch how Jr. A leagues adapt. But change is coming, and everyone must prepare themselves. Stay abreast with breaking hockey news by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here and receiving timely updates in your inbox. Sharing Your Thoughts By Commenting Below This Article or Attending our Forum (Formal Comment Section or Open Discussion Form). Related: NCAA Hockey Eligibility Change: CHL Leagues React To Significant Decision (Informal Discussion Section or ODF Forum). 2025 NHL Draft Rankings – Will There Be A Race For First Overall Pick (Resource Center Page).