Agreed, but your kind of missing the point. First, $100k isn’t that long. Second, the only way said player gets that education package is if he stops playing hockey immediately after the O. What if (at age 19-20) said player isn’t ready for the NHL (or even AHL for that matter)? They then have to decide whether to continue their professional career (in the Coast potentially)...or take advantage of that education package. The CHL is great league, but it has its flaws. Some players haven’t even developed by 19-20. US college hockey lengthens the development cycle. That’s why more and more higher end players are choosing this route. More flexibility.