The American development programs have improved leaps and bounds over the years. Plus college hockey gets a bad rep for some reason, but some of the leagues better plays have come out of that system.
Callahan, Dubinsky, Kreider, Stepan, Boyle, Rupp, Sauer, McDonagh, Bickel, Erixon (actually born in NY) all played for us this year. Then in the pipeline we have Miller, Skjei, Fogarty, Wellman, Yogan, McColgan, Nieves in the system.
Under the current CBA, those players that are drafted with the expectation of going into the NCAA or currently there have four years to sign. That gives the NHL team lots more flexibility in the timing of signing the player--more time to let them develop. Although the players in the CHL are not in that group, it makes it very attractive for the team to draft Americans (especially those that need time to develop), and the Rangers have taken advantage of it.
Under the current CBA, those players that are drafted with the expectation of going into the NCAA or currently there have four years to sign. That gives the NHL team lots more flexibility in the timing of signing the player--more time to let them develop. Although the players in the CHL are not in that group, it makes it very attractive for the team to draft Americans (especially those that need time to develop), and the Rangers have taken advantage of it.
Under the current CBA, those players that are drafted with the expectation of going into the NCAA or currently there have four years to sign. That gives the NHL team lots more flexibility in the timing of signing the player--more time to let them develop. Although the players in the CHL are not in that group, it makes it very attractive for the team to draft Americans (especially those that need time to develop), and the Rangers have taken advantage of it.
Not to mention the ability of going to the AHL sooner....also if taken out of USHL/College alot of time you have 2 different development routes to choose from. If the NHL team doesn't like your school, they can push you to the CHL (generally for a real good team) and the player generally follows.
good for the Rangers, they are my 2nd favorite team behind the Hawks and they will continue to be with all those talented US kids they keep snagging...
Cristoval "Boo" Nieves is going to be a player that is going to get a Chris Kreider love/hate relationship on this board....he is going to be rated high as a prospect in college, and plenty of people wont simply get it or understand why....get ready Rangers fans!!
