yzerman19

I read a post on Brad's blog where someone wanted to know what the deal was with the OHL and why JT Miller went that route. As a result, I am building this thread of CHL basics. 1. The CHL (Canadian Hockey League) is comprised of the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. 2. The CHL is referred to as major junior hockey or Canadian Tier 1 junior hockey. 3. The CHL is tied tightly to Hockey Canada, the governing body of Canada's international program. 4. CHL players can be paid (usually its not much, like $15k per year, although there are big money exceptions: Lindros, Crosby). 5. The CHL has a special deal with the NHL. CHL eligible players that sign pro deals can play in either the NHL or the CHL. They can not be assigned to the AHL or the ECHL. 6. Junior age rules apply: 16-20. 7. Bantam age players are drafted in a bantams future draft by CHL teams (Toewser went #1 in the WHL "dub" draft when he was 15) 8. The Memorial Cup is the CHL championship series. 9. The nearest CHL team to Grand Forks is the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. 10. A player like JT Miller can accept a $350k signing bonus under the NHL collective bargaining agreement (rookie max) and then go and play for Plymouth in the OHL. 11. The CHL plays as close to an NHL type season as any league in the world. 12. Prior to the 1990's, pro players from North America were almost exclusively veterans of the CHL. 13. Currently, the majority of NHL players are veterans of the CHL. 14. THe CHL is still viewed as the fastest route to the NHL for top end hockey talent. NCAA hockey has been making a statement with the likes of Heatley, Parise, Toews, Vanek, Gionta, etc. 15. THe CHL talent level is generally considered to be better than other leagues (including NCAA) for 16-20 year olds.

...speaking of youtube favorites, maybe that leads us to a new nickname...the honey badgers!

Seriously? I am disappointed too, but that's pretty harsh. Look, imagine this conversation at the evaluation camp: "Kid, you might be NHL ready this year. How about if I write you a check for $350k to sign and you give up your commitment to UND. We'll most likely assign you to Plymouth of the OHL due to the NHL's agreement with the CHL, but you never know. You might make the Rangers out of camp. Either way, We'll max out your signing bonus. You will either play in the O for a few hundred bucks a game or you will play in Madison Square Garden for $11,000 per game. "

Two Alaska teams in the same conference makes zero sense...imagine having to make 2 trips up to Alaska in the same season...

To quote Bruce Springsteen: "Round here there's just winners and losers, and don't get caught on the wrong side of that line."

ummm...ever been to the northern suburbs? Its worse than GF up there.

From what I saw from Dany following the accident, he was not drunk and he was devastated. I'm not a Wild fan, and Heatley was a problem everywhere he was, but I feel for him on his personal disaster.

You have to be pragmatic given what has happened. This is not charity. We are out to: 1. Win National Championships 2. Recruit and Develop NHL talent so we can accomplish 1 3. Do 2 and 1 in order to continue a culture of winning and a tradition of excellence 4. Do 3 in order to appease alumni and make $ We made the best move we could for SIoux hockey. SIoux hockey was a power before MSU, BSU, and SCSU were D1.

The WJC is under 20. Brock turns 20 in October. Simpson being invited to Canada's evaluation is a big, big deal. They seldom invite non CHL guys, although they are doing more of that these days. Only recent Sioux players to get the invite: Travis Zajac and Jonathan Toews. Travis did not make the team, JT lead his team. Pretty special company for Dillon.

so picky! in addition to lack of skill and skating: way too old, size is good (just not distributed optimally), good hockey IQ (feet just too slow to make it happen), not very tough any more...do I really need to add any more...this is degrading

Someone on this board needs to start the pool...Which game will Mac get his first goal in??

What's holding Yzerman19 back from being a consensus top 5 pick? Skill and skating prowess I mean if we're going to state the obvious...

It is all conjecture right now, but I would hesitate to put all my scorers who are proven at the WCHA level on one forward line. I would put the fairly big bodied, likely first round pick, Miller up on that top scoring line with Knight and Gregs...set Miller up to succeed, give him a chance to really contribute, and round out a high scoring, defensively responsible top unit. I would put Kristo and Grimaldi together on the second line. Kristo is a proven scorer (although inconsistent) at the WCHA level. Put the dynamic young freshmen Rocco on his line and see what they can do. I like Rowney as the other wing to add a stronger boards and corner player. To me this line is high potential. I also think that Rowney has untapped scoring potential. Third line is anchored by Nelson at center. While some have argued that Rocco will not usurp Nelson on the depth chart, I disagree. Brock showed some things at the end of the year, but he still has some work to do...noticeably in the weight room. I also think that as a first round pick, he needs to develop as a strong depth player or even big bodied checker for the NHL. He has skill, but so does everybody in the NHL. He is noticeably less dynamic than our other recent first round centers: Zajac, Parise, Toews, Oshie...all of which had 20 goal freshmen campaigns. This is not a knock on Brock (those 4 guys are sick-some of the best on earth), it is simply calling out the type of player he likely will be and what that means for the Sioux next year. Now, he could be a late bloomer and put up 20 goals and 40 points next year, but he could do that from the third line too. Put MacMillen or Parks on that line along with Rodwell . Checking line will be Lammy and likely St Clair plus whoever doesn't gel well on that 3rd line. My opinion only...

All this talk of lost balls, I thought I was on GPL...

Interesting write up on Corey Fiehage getting signed for the playoff run in the AHL... "Back in Minnesota, Fienhage said his high school team never won a playoff game and neither did the Fighting Sioux in the two seasons he played for them. "I've never really been part of a playoff team before." Not sure that quote is exactly accurate...I seem to recall winning the Final Five and making the NCAAs...

I see. I think Sprig meant "entry-level" as opposed to "first". The power of semantics. If you're an unristricted free agent ala Matt Read, I would think that they have almost unlimited freedom. Faulk will get the rookie max and will likely be in the show. He's NHL ready. Best all around freshman defenseman I've seen in a long time in this league...and there have been some excellent ones. What I see in Faulk is that he has offensive skill and a mean streak. It is a great combo.

Read was 25, therefore he was not subject to entry-level rules. The rules stated are correct

beat me to it.

I wouldn't either if I were you! Congratulations!

Watching JG after the game on Thursday, my money is on him signing a deal. I don't think he is NHL ready at the moment and will need to labor a little in Bridgeport before getting the call. It is up to him. It probably depends on how much they offer him. Isn't Cichy too old for MJ now? I'd have to think that he is over 20...he is a guy that might have a much bigger role next year. I'm talking possibly top 6 depending on what happens. I'm excited to see Grimaldi. It sounds like he is one of the most offensively skilled guys we've had coming since Parise. We'll be young, but talented upfront. If Blood comes back, I really like our defense, starting with Dell and working our way out.

Miele was deserving of this award. Congratulations. No title, No Hobey, let's hope Fratty got the rookie max contract (probably not based on draft position, but his season should've increased his check size).

You'd be better off taking a cab from Bloomington to the X directly. It would probably cost the same...ballpark $30

Mandi Schwartz, sister of the dynamic duo from CC- Jaden and Rylan, passed away this morning. Her untimely and tragic passing should give us all pause to reflect on what's truly important in life. I am sure that I speak for the entire WCHA family when I wish the Schwartz family peace and comfort during this most difficult time.

Looks great! Go Sioux!

so are you saying that if i want to bring one friend to the day game and a different friend to the night game, I can't??! I have a huge bulldog fan friend that I wanted to bring to the afternoon game. My wife can't make the afternoon game, but she really wants to see the SIoux at 7. No readmission is the most stupid thing that i've ever heard. If you can please confirm, I guess I will tell my BullDog friend not to bother.