Playing in 20 minutes of a major junior hockey exhibition game has cost Bonnyville Pontiacs goalie Julien Laplante a chance to play for Union.
Quote:
Now, the Dutchmen goaltending situation is muddled. With the departure of Keith Kinkaid to the New Jersey Devils and the graduation of Corey Milan, Grosenick is the only goalie on the roster right now. He appeared in three games, posted an 0-0-1 record with a 2.12 GAA and .897 save percentage.
That is not a good situation to be in for any coach, let alone a first year coach.
This will happen too late for Union's situation here but how close is the NCAA to changing some of these petty, chicken**** rules about the relationship between their teams and majour junior hockey. 20 minutes in an exhibition game should not have to screw up a university team's player situation.
This will happen too late for Union's situation here but how close is the NCAA to changing some of these petty, chicken**** rules about the relationship between their teams and majour junior hockey. 20 minutes in an exhibition game should not have to screw up a university team's player situation.
I wonder the same thing. It is not like a player is getting any money to play in an exhibition match. Granted the player is most likely living off the teams money (hotel, transportation, food, etc.) during the training camp, but that is no different than a Jr.A training camp.
That is not a good situation to be in for any coach, let alone a first year coach.
The NCAA rules in regards to playing exhibition games in the WHL are very clear. Either Union's new coach didn't do his homeowner or Laplante thought he would be the exception. My take from the article is that somone wasn't 100% upfront in disclosing information and was found out. I highly doubt Union would have played an ineligible player and is ticked. Laplante could have easily been red shirted but the article clearly states he won't be goaltending EVER for Union.
Last edited by steeltoes: 07-13-2011 at 04:34 PM.
Reason: add on
The NCAA rules in regards to playing exhibition games in the WHL are very clear. Either Union's new coach didn't do his homeowner or Laplante thought he would be the exception. My take from the article is that somone wasn't 100% upfront in disclosing information and was found out. I highly doubt Union would have played an ineligible player and is ticked. Laplante could have easily been red shirted but the article clearly states he won't be goaltending EVER for Union.
Just because a rule is clear doesn't mean it's right, or helpful, or even meaningful. Playing 20 minutes of a WHL exhibition game should not screw up a kid's chances to play NCAA hockey - Plain and simple. I feel for Union and Laplante. Someone in the NCAA should be giving their head a shake right now.
Just because a rule is clear doesn't mean it's right, or helpful, or even meaningful. Playing 20 minutes of a WHL exhibition game should not screw up a kid's chances to play NCAA hockey - Plain and simple. I feel for Union and Laplante. Someone in the NCAA should be giving their head a shake right now.
There are hundreds of players whose chances to play NCAA have been screwed up by playing even 5 minutes in the WHL or OHL so LaPlante is not an exception. Whether we agree with the rules or not is irrelevant, until they are changed they need to be adhered to. Reports state Laplante knew he was ineligible and tried to let it slip without anyone (hopefully) noticing. When applying for eligibility there is no way the NCAA would not have questioned playing major junior hockey; there is no way NCAA Clearing house would have approved his scholarship. Union is responsible for not doing their homework and Laplante for not disclosing the truth - plain and simple!!
Last edited by steeltoes: 07-14-2011 at 09:32 AM.
Reason: add on
There are hundreds of players whose chances to play NCAA have been screwed up by playing even 5 minutes in the WHL or OHL so LaPlante is not an exception. Whether we agree with the rules or not is irrelevant, until they are changed they need to be adhered to. Reports state Laplante knew he was ineligible and tried to let it slip without anyone (hopefully) noticing. When applying for eligibility there is no way the NCAA would not have questioned playing major junior hockey; there is no way NCAA Clearing house would have approved his scholarship. Union is responsible for not doing their homework and Laplante for not disclosing the truth - plain and simple!!
Playing on a CIS team is also a privilege and should be reserved for player’s whose character and integrity are not in question. There is no doubt Union had a couple of prospects they were interested in but chose Laplante which means another player had to commit elsewhere when Union could have been first choice. NCAA and Union could have red shirted Laplante but, imo, after not disclosing the truth...he was ousted. The door is now open for Union to select another player, good luck to the new recruit.
He'll also be playing for Nate Leaman, Union's former head coach.
Coincidence?
Integrity is obviously in question if Providence coach (ex Union coach) is endorsing dishonesty?!! I am shocked that the NCAA Clearing House would give consent for Laplante to play after being stripped of a scholarship from Union, it is on record Union''s coach found out from another source he had played in the WHL; Laplante only fessed up after being confronted. I thnk there is a whole lot more to this story that isn't being told.
The Bonnyville Pontiacs are members of the Tier Two Junior "A" Alberta Junior Hockey League, not the Western Hockey League Major Junior. There have been many Junior A players that received scholarship in United States Universities playing in Canada; I'm puzzled why he would be rendered ineligible?
The Bonnyville Pontiacs are members of the Tier Two Junior "A" Alberta Junior Hockey League, not the Western Hockey League Major Junior. There have been many Junior A players that received scholarship in United States Universities playing in Canada; I'm puzzled why he would be rendered ineligible?
He is not eligible becauses he played an exhibition game in the Western Hockey League thus NCAA opportunities are forfeited. He did not stick in the WHL and went down to play Junior A.
