NCAA vs CHL... The Never Ending Debate

by Dominic Tiano



This debate is long, never ending, and frankly, getting tiresome. I am often asked about my opinion on it and what I feel should happen. First off, let me say I really don’t have an opinion on the matter, or at least a public one. I have listened to arguments from both sides and find them equally talking out of the sides of their mouths. My statements won’t win any popularity contests, nor have I ever attempted to.

The Canadian Hockey League, first and foremost is a business, one that the National Hockey League needs to succeed. As the premier supplier of talent to the NHL, the latter knows that it is in their best interest to have the CHL succeed both on the ice and financially. The CHL has over 1300 players playing under their three leagues. Some have already been drafted by NHL teams, some will in the next year and some in the coming years and the NHL needs a place for them to develop so the ultimate success of the CHL is also the NHL’s success.

The NHL, to ensure that the CHL has a good product to put on the ice to attract fans, and to keep those fans, came up with the age 20 rule – where a player drafted out of the CHL must turn 20 during the year in which the season is played – to play in the AHL otherwise, they must remain with the NHL team or be sent back to junior. There is no such rule for NCAA players, or for that matter Europeans. In fact, a player drafted out of the NCAA, or Europe, can make the jump to the CHL the following season and still be eligible to play in the AHL before he turns 20.

Furthermore, the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement allows for its member teams to pay a salary to players playing Major Junior as long as they are signed to an NHL Standard Player’s Contract and it is negotiated in that contract. (Section 9.4, page 26 of the CBA)

What the NHL has created here is an opportunity for NCAA players to make the jump to Major Junior and earn a salary and still maintain their chances of moving up to the American Hockey League and earn an even larger salary. It’s created a financial reason for NCAA players to want to play in the CHL.

Sure the CHL covets those players and tries hard to lure them to play Major Junior. But, as I said previously, it is a business and they have to do whatever it takes to make their business successful. It’s something that’s done at just about every level of hockey so why then are teams in the CHL being accused of doing something illegal in some circles? Or is it because of National Letters of intent?

National Letters of Intent are not a legally binding agreement. If there is a clause promising exclusive negotiating rights, then that clause is legally binding but the total document is not. The vast majority of those LOI are signed before the player is 18 years of age. And that is the age in most States that a person can enter into a legally binding contract.

If the NCAA firmly believes that players should honour LOI’s, a document that is not legally binding and is asking someone not of legal age to sign that document, then they should include the clause that is

legally binding – exclusive negotiating rights – in every LOI. So why don’t they? Only two reasons that come to my mind: Firstly, they know that players won’t sign it and throw away other options – one that includes the CHL and secondly, they know that they can’t legally enforce that on a person under the legal age of majority (in most States).

College Hockey Inc. Led by the former head of the NHLPA Paul Kelly seems to be taking the right approach. In an article on United States of Hockey website yesterday, it states that College Hockey Inc is trying to get legislation with the help of the NHL to make National Letters of Intent a binding agreement. http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012/02/08/ncaa-vs-chl-strengthening-nlis-opening-college-hockey-to-chlers/

The article goes on to explain that it would take a gentleman’s agreement between the NHL, CHL and College Hockey Inc. It also goes on to talk about how USA Hockey and Hockey Canada could be involved because of the transfer rules that are governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation. My fear is that if LOI were made a legally binding agreement, that you would have players waiting out the CHL drafts and putting the NCAA in a more difficult situation trying to put squads together.

If College Hockey Inc is unsuccessful in having LOI’s made legally binding, would USA Hockey or Hockey Canada impede a players choice to make a jump across the border? It’s a possibility but highly unlikely. There is always the possibility of appeal to the IIHF or even court action to reverse their decision and I can’t see either supporting the decision to enforce something that isn’t legally binding, although with some of the decisions that have come down from the IIHF in the past, it wouldn’t be surprising.

I have always maintained that for any resolution to be successful, the NHL will have to be involved. Part of this lays on them for having seemingly two sets of rules governing drafted players, those from the CHL and everyone else. And if anyone thinks that the financial reward doesn’t play a part in this remember that these players are advised by player agents who have a vested interest. It’s about time the NHL stepped up to the plate.

As a hockey fan, I want hockey to be successful everywhere not just Canada, and that includes the United States. If I had to make the decision and fix this situation from a CHL standpoint, this is what I would do:

I would change the import rule and have every non-Canadian count against the import maximums and increase the import maximum to 5 per team. It currently stands at two and only Europeans count as imports. There are those that believe that this would harm the US based franchises. Well, a quick look at some rosters from the Ontario Hockey league shows the Windsor Spitfires having as many Americans as the Plymouth Whalers and Erie Otters on their roster with 8. Only the Saginaw Spirit has more with 11. I would even consider making American born players available only to the US franchises, but that may never fly with the Canadian teams.

With almost every other team other than the one’s mentioned above having 3 or less Americans on their roster, some that don’t have any, I don’t see a big change in how they do things. We could, theoretically see even more Europeans.

As it stands now, NCAA players lose their eligibility once they sign a pro contract. The NCAA could, as long as no monies are being handed out – such as signing bonuses, change their own rules to allow players to remain in the NCAA as long as their contract was signed after they entered school and will not receive any moneys before they leave school. For some players, there is no other option to leave the NCAA once they sign their pro contracts.

In turn the NHL could, with new CBA talks about to begin, eliminate salaries allowed Major Junior players after they’ve signed a pro contract and thus level that playing field. It’s not that many CHL players are collecting that salary, but the option is there and it is enticing.

There are two things we know for certain: One, the CHL will never give up the age 20 rule, and it’s unlikely the NHL wants that to happen. So do they even the playing field and make it the same for NCAA players? Also unlikely because once that player signs an NHL contract they lose their NCAA eligibility and are free to go where ever they want.

The second is that the CHL will never willingly and of their free will honour Letters of Intent. And this is where the NHL has to persuade the CHL. After all, isn’t that in the best interest of hockey and what the NHL stands for? If persuasion doesn’t work and a threat is needed, there is always the age 20 rule.

Then there is the moral issue: those that believe it’s morally wrong for players not to honour their LOI. Well the vast majority do honour them. Show me a group of 15-17 year olds in everyday life that hasn’t changed their minds in what could be life altering decisions, well...you get the picture.

In closing I’ll say this: The NCAA is the only innocent bystander in this. There is blame to be shared by the CHL, the NHL and yes, even the players, their families or their agents. So before we continue to put fingertips to keyboards and continue to blame the CHL, let’s remember that there are others involved and stop blaming them for something that is widely accepted at every other level.

David Pacan: Success Started in Cumberland

Special Thanks to Chris Messina

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David Pacan has developed into a steady two-way forward in the Ontario Hockey League with the Niagara Ice Dogs. He was selected by the team in the 14^th round of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, while the team was still playing out of Mississauga. From there, the product of the Ottawa Sting minor hockey association went on to play two seasons with the Cumberland Grads in the Central Canada Hockey League (2007-08 & 2008-09). His strong play with the Grads earned him a Div-1 scholarship in the NCAA with the University of Vermont Catamounts. After only one year in the Green Mountain State he packed his bags and headed to Niagara.

The 6-foot-3 center has been a welcomed addition up front for the Ice Dogs as he’s averaged nearly a-point-a-game (89 in 91 games) in his year-and-half with the team. “It’s been awesome, making the transition from College to the OHL. It’s been great. The guys have been great, everyone from the coaches to the owners. It’s just been a blast,” says the Ice Dogs overage forward.

The Ice Dogs have had strong teams the last couple of years and expectations are high again this season. The team features two players that were top 10 picks in the National Hockey League’s draft last June (Ryan Strome –New York Islanders and Dougie Hamilton-Boston Bruins). For Pacan and his teammates it offers a chance at redemption after a disappointing playoff exit last spring. Niagara was knocked out in the Eastern Conference final by the St. Michael’s Majors in 5 games. “We had a great team last year. We were that close to going to the OHL championship. I thought we had a great playoff, we just couldn’t close it at the end. This year we have pretty much the same team and hope to get farther than last year,” says Pacan.

The Former Grad remembers his time in Cumberland fondly as he was a member of a couple of competitive teams. Two of his former Grads teammates Eric O’Dell (St. John’s Ice Caps – affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets) and Jason Akeson (Adirondack Phantoms – affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers) are playing in the American Hockey League this season. “It was a great two years. We had great guys on the team, guys like Akeson and O’Dell. We had really good teams. It was a great time for me to develop my skills. I had a great time (in Cumberland),” recalls Pacan.

In those two seasons with the Grads, he suited up for 118 games, scored 34 goals and compiled 94 points. He credits the coaching he got in Cumberland, from his former coach Mark Grady (now head coach of the Smiths Falls Bears) and then assistant coach Paul Flindall (current Grads head coach) for his success. “Mark really focused on me being a better player. I was fortunate to have him as a coach. He never took it light with me. I loved everything that he taught me. Paulie was just a great guy to, I still talk with him and stay in touch, both guys you’ll remember forever,” says Pacan.

Pacan was a part of a couple of Grads teams that had a lot of regular season success, sometimes a rarity for city based teams in the CCHL. “The last two years I was there we had strong teams, we finished top 5 in the standing. We just couldn’t close it in the playoffs. We got knocked out in the first round both years. I wasn’t too happy about that, but you learn from your mistakes,” says Pacan.

While starring for Cumberland in his early junior hockey days he was recognized by pro scouts. The Chicago Blackhawks selected him in the 6^th round of the NHL Entry draft in 2009, making him the first player to be drafted directly into the world’s greatest league as a member of the Grads. The organization has a list of alumni currently playing in the NHL such as Matt Bradley and Claude Giroux, but none were members of the organization when they were drafted.  “It was awesome. Guys like Grady and Paulie helped me out the two years I was there. I credit a lot of my success to them. Being the first player to get drafted out of there was a huge honour for me. It was an unbelievable experience,” recalls the Blackhawks prospect.

On draft day, the native of Ottawa knew that his name might get called, but he couldn’t sit around all day waiting for his name to be called. “My brother and I went mini-golfing. I just couldn’t sit in front of a computer to see if my name was going to come up or not. We went mini-golfing then I got the call and it was just excitement from there,” recalls Pacan.

Being a part of the Blackhawks organization, Pacan has had the opportunity to attend the organizations development camps in the summers since he’s been drafted, something he feels has helped his game. “They’ve been awesome. You get to play with guys that have played pro or are trying to play pro just like you. You learn a lot from them. You learn a lot from the older guys being in a pro development camp. It’s just awesome to bring back the confidence to this league,” says Pacan.

It’s been a long journey for Pacan that has taken a couple of different turns, but at this rate one of those turns could lead him to the NHL.

Niagara Falls Native Bryan McGregor's Hockey Life In the Czech League

By VICKY GRYGAR

In the O Blogger

In Canada, hockey has grown to become part of everyday culture. The CHL along with our beloved 6 NHL franchises have united Canadians and fans across the country. As hockey enthusiasts these are the teams we follow and cheer for. It is evident that at times, many of us forget hockey has grown in popularity at each corner of the globe. Of course we all know of the remaining NHL teams located in the U.S. along with the AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA, USHL, etc, but many writers, reporters and fans don’t often look beyond these leagues.

Europe is a haven for up and coming hockey players. The most prominent league, as many know, is also one of the NHL’s fiercest competitors, the Russian KHL. The issues between the NHL and KHL are ever surfacing as each looks to gain control over the market. It is also now common nature for NHL players to transfer to the KHL in hopes of financially receiving what they believe they are truly worth. Moving beyond the KHL we run into the elite leagues of Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic.

Fans flying the Canadian Flag for McGregor in the stands.

These rosters are usually dominated by European players, so it was an interesting story to learn that Bryan McGregor, a Niagara Falls, Ontario native, earned a spot on the Czech Extraliga’s HC Ocelari Trinec roster. This marks the first time in the team’s franchise history that a Canadian born player has had the opportunity to play for the Ocelari. McGregor, 26, left home at the age of 15 to pursue his hockey career in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers. From there he committed to the NCAA route and played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth to simultaneously grow as a hockey player and student. Upon graduation McGregor found himself playing for 3 different ECHL teams and prior to heading to Europe, the forward tallied a few games with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. The decision for a North American hockey player to embark on a career in Europe is not a light decision. Many, if given the opportunity would find the choice debatable and be edgy to pack up and leave everything they’ve known behind. McGregor however has embraced his chance and is now a popular entity in the city of Trinec. I had the opportunity to ask Bryan a few questions about his diverse hockey career.


1. Going back to Junior Hockey, what made you decide on the NCAA route versus CHL?

BM: It was a very difficult decision. At 15 years old, you have to decide your future in not only hockey but in life as well. I have a very high interest in academics and also did very well in high school. I felt I would not be ready for the NHL at 18-20, so I therefore decided to move to British Columbia to pursue the NCAA route. I always wonder what my life would of been like had I went the OHL route, but that’s life.

2. You've now had the chance to play in both Finland and the Czech Republic. How has the adjustment been for you in terms of culture?

BM: There are a lot of differences. I found that Finland is a lot more tolerant to English culture and more people speak English. The city I was in, in Finland was half Swedish and half Finnish. Swedish people speak English as we do, with almost no accent. I found that very fascinating. But if you want to get technical, both Swedish and English stem from the same language base (Germanic). The food is very different, in Finland the food was very different, a lot of fish and fish related dishes. Czech is more what I am used to with a lot of meat and potatoes. The countries in general are very different. Finland is a very clean and simple country. I find Czech is very old, lots of history. Both are unique and very nice in their own ways. I enjoy the differences, and like living in both countries.

3. How is communication with coaches/teammates working?

BM: Communication is easy on our team, as everyone speaks English except the coaches. So that is the only downside to the language barrier. I adapt well to languages, no matter where I am. I speak decent Finnish and Swedish, and every day I learn more Czech. I know all the basics, colours, numbers, foods, basic conversation, and am slowly getting better and better. I am able to adapt no matter where I am to language problems, as it is just something I have become accustomed to.

4. Being among one of the first Canadians to ever play for HC Ocelari Trinec, how have the fans treated you so far?

BM: I am actually the first Canadian to play for Ocelari, which is a very cool thing. The fans have been awesome to me, they fly the Canadian flag in the stands for me. Hopefully I play better, and more of that catches on. But everyone has been really good to me. There was a young boy who wanted my jersey, (he was the younger brother of a friend of mine), and so I bought him my jersey and gave it to him. I think it is good to give as much back to the fans as they give to you, and in Trinec we have really great fans.

5. Can you describe the technical difference between European and North American hockey?

BM: Well there are a lot of differences, but the biggest difference has to be speed. The European style of hockey is more technical, more skill, more speed. The NHL is as well, but with a lot more body contact in North America vs Europe. The size of the ice rinks has to do with that. In the NHL they play on a lot smaller surface. I like both styles mind you, but every country in Europe plays a different style, Finland vs Sweden vs Russia, etc.