The NCAA and the NHL - Why They Don't Get Along
Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
by Dr. Carla Goddard
The NCAA currently does not have a winning relationship with the NHL. They are currently in the process of having the American Hockey Coaches Association sit down and look at the concerns that the NCAA has. The NHL deputy commissioner said "It's important to the league to maintain a good working relationship with collegiate hockey coaches and administrators for the good of the game, the players and hockey fans everywhere". One of the concerns that are being looked at is the NHL "poaching" players to early not giving them enough time to mature.
The NCAA is concerned about protecting college hockey in general and its players. It is only one of three places the the NHL drafts new players from. I think part of the issue is that never before has the NHL so heavily relied on the NCAA for new talent. Many people want to see more American born players in the NHL - where are those players going to come from - the NCAA.
The NHL routinely signs teen players from Europe and from Canada. If the fan's want American players, then the kids have to come up to the NHL before finishing out their years of eligibility with the NCAA. Most of the players themselves are the one's who decide that they are ready to move up to the pro's verse the NHL coming down and whooing them into signing big dollar contracts.
Unless the NCAA and NHL can come to a working relationship soon, where both sides are happy, I don't think you will see the NCAA promoting the NHL like it does the NFL or the NBA. Most of the NHL rookies are from Europe currently rather than from NCAA. Currently, it seems as though that is who the NHL is spending it's time recruiting from. That and the Canadian Junior Leagues. It isn't likely to change in the near future.
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