The Rangers aren't forcing Kreider to give up BC for the Q. Kreider grew up wanting to play college hockey and that is where he is going. Kreider is going to BC. He is finishing up his school work in the next month. Attending the US WJC camp in August and then going to BC. Columbus would prefer John Moore playing in Kitchener than Colorado College but it's Moore's decision. It's the same thing.
People keep talking about his college degree if he plays at BC, but wouldn the only stay for a year or 2...meaning he wont get his college degree?
He would only get a head start with credits if he wanted to go back years later (after hockey), right? (assuming he has a successful NHL career...)
Yes exactly, he won't graduate right away because he would leave school early to pursue his pro hockey career.
But, he could always return with the credits he earned, and finish his college education when his hockey career is over.
IMO, he has his head on straight, he is not only focusing on his hockey career, but also focusing on his whole life.
And BC is a great hockey program. He will be facing very good competition. And he will get to play some big stage games. That will help his hockey career.
The Rangers aren't forcing Kreider to give up BC for the Q. Kreider grew up wanting to play college hockey and that is where he is going. Kreider is going to BC. He is finishing up his school work in the next month. Attending the US WJC camp in August and then going to BC. Columbus would prefer John Moore playing in Kitchener than Colorado College but it's Moore's decision. It's the same thing.
It's the right choice, IMO.
If it were the OHL, that would be a different story, but i am not convinced the Q would be any better then NCAA.
And IMO, playing college hockey in the region he will be, is much better anyway. He will play in big time tournaments and those big games will help his development.
I can't wait to see him play both at the WJC and at BC. This will be a "coming out" year for him. Much like last year was for Grachev.
Lots of good players have come out of Hockey East and out of Boston College. It's not a bad way to go. I prefer the CHL as well because it mimics an NHL schedule and style more and he wouldn't have to worry about classes etc. The Q might lag behind the WHL and OHL but in the past has produced a number of really spectacular NHL forwards and usually has top notch goaltending.
Another thing is Kreider could play a year at BC and if he or his family decide they're not happy with his development there he could then go to St. John at least for a season.
Just curious, assuming he was ok skipping college, how does he end up in the Q as opposed to the WHL or OHL? What is the general procedure for how players end up in each of the 3 leagues?
Just curious, assuming he was ok skipping college, how does he end up in the Q as opposed to the WHL or OHL? What is the general procedure for how players end up in each of the 3 leagues?
There is a draft and he was drafted by a team in the Q.
Ok, so all the teams from the 3 CHL leagues are in the same draft I take it?
No, I believe they each have their own bantam drafts.
All players in NE USA are eligible to be selected in the QMJHL (bantam?) draft.
Found this for the WHL:
During the bantam draft (typically held in early May), players from the four Western Provinces and the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to be selected. For the 2008 bantam draft, players born in 1993 may be selected.
I'm gonna take a guess and say players in the Michigan area are eligible to be selected for the OHL.
I honestly don't know enough about St. John's or about BC to say which would be better, but the Rangers have a vested interest in giving their opinion on what is the better route for Kreider. The fact that it was Gordie Clark himself who met with them emphasises how seriously the Rangers take this. They also have to respect that it is up to Kreider and his parents to make the decision, which it sounds like they did.
Everyone should be aware that Kreider would not be going to BC and getting a degree. He'd be going there for 2 years, 3 years tops -- not enough time for a degree.
I honestly don't know enough about St. John's or about BC to say which would be better, but the Rangers have a vested interest in giving their opinion on what is the better route for Kreider. The fact that it was Gordie Clark himself who met with them emphasises how seriously the Rangers take this. They also have to respect that it is up to Kreider and his parents to make the decision, which it sounds like they did.
Everyone should be aware that Kreider would not be going to BC and getting a degree. He'd be going there for 2 years, 3 years tops -- not enough time for a degree.
Exactly. And SJ would probably provide a package which would cover at least a portion of the cost of an education if for some reason the NHL fell through for him and he doesn't get signed.
Playing a 60+ game schedule is probably what the Rangers are focused on.
I honestly don't know enough about St. John's or about BC to say which would be better, but the Rangers have a vested interest in giving their opinion on what is the better route for Kreider. The fact that it was Gordie Clark himself who met with them emphasises how seriously the Rangers take this. They also have to respect that it is up to Kreider and his parents to make the decision, which it sounds like they did.
Everyone should be aware that Kreider would not be going to BC and getting a degree. He'd be going there for 2 years, 3 years tops -- not enough time for a degree.
Right, but there's a big difference having 2 or 3 years worth of credits towards a degree as opposed to having none. Makes going back to school (should he ever desire to) a lot more desirable. Hopefully he has a long and successful NHL career...making this entire discussion moot .
Right, but there's a big difference having 2 or 3 years worth of credits towards a degree as opposed to having none. Makes going back to school (should he ever desire to) a lot more desirable. Hopefully he has a long and successful NHL career...making this entire discussion moot .
Honestly, I think the decision for Kreider is whether he wants to have the "real" college experience or not. It's very different to go to college at 18 than it would be to go to college after playing Juniors and then becoming a professional hockey player. If he does the latter he will be much older (and hopefully, much richer) and while going to college would still have real benefits, he's not going to be a "typical" freshman and will be for the education, much more than the overall experience.
Kreider has to decide whether he wants to focus exclusively on hockey or have a more rounded experience before committing to becoming a professional hockey player. Not an easy choice at all.
Kinda surprised that Gordie is trying to push it on the kid, although you can't blame him for trying. I think he'll be just fine playing in the NCAA for now.
Yeah I agree. I don't like that about Clark, and he won't be slow to go "I told you so" in media to a prospect who didn't do exactly like he wanted...
personally, I think the Q is the way to go for Krieder. 68 games plus playoffs vs. 40 games +- in a stifling NCAA game. Gerard Gallant is an ex NHL player and coach who knows what it takes to be successful @ the NHL Level. Playing for Jerry York isnt a bad way to go but if Chris wants to fastrack his NHL career, The Q is the way to go.
The kid badly wants to play in BC, let him play there, he dreamed it all his life. Plus, if for a reason or another he doesn't want to play NCAA any longer, he will still be able to join the Q. If he chooses first to play in the Q and then for an unknown reason it doesn't work, he won't be allowed to go back to College.
He should go to college. I remember reading that he was a serious student and probably always worked towards that goal of going to college. I'm sure hockey was a nice think to dream about but he did not pin his hopes to that. Even in his interviews after being drafted it seemed he couldn't believe he was drafted.
We have other prospects like Stepan and McDonagh that are developing nicely in college.
You are only a teenager once and this kid has options, that many in the CHL did not. He can easily do a year at BC and then decide whether or not to stay there. It would be a nice transition. No need to rush into the hockey "meat market" when there is a different style one awaiting in Boston. Sow some oats, kid!
Kreider is a 2 year college player(tops)before he turns pro.
Quote:
In two seasons after transferring to Phillips Andover, the Boxford, Mass., native netted 59 goals in 50 games, while totaling 96 points. He has committed to attend Boston College, where Kreider will take the next step in his development, though Clark only expects him to play one or two years at BC before turning pro.
Clark said he will play 2 years. The interview I saw with Kreider, no commitment was made for how long he will stay @ BC. If Kreider loves it there, he could be there all 4 years.
Clarke believes he'll only play 2 years or so because he's basically hyping Kreider's potential. He thinks Kreider is skilled enough that after 2 years at BC, he'll have proven he's ready for the next step
And I think most college players, if they're basically ready for the next step, will come out of college and head to the NHL
I think the failure of Jessiman and his route of development has a little to do with this, even if BC is in a different league.
But this kids strong point is his skating, and thats something most prospects who bomb have a hard time developing to the next level with. I think Kreider will be fine in BC. Keep him in his element, where he wants to be. It is still a very good program and im sure hell get everything he needs from that organization to develop.
If it were the WHL or OHL i would say yes, thats something he really should consider. But if I were him id stay at home and experience the college life and play at BC for 2 years.
I think the failure of Jessiman and his route of development has a little to do with this, even if BC is in a different league.
But this kids strong point is his skating, and thats something most prospects who bomb have a hard time developing to the next level with. I think Kreider will be fine in BC. Keep him in his element, where he wants to be. It is still a very good program and im sure hell get everything he needs from that organization to develop.
If it were the WHL or OHL i would say yes, thats something he really should consider. But if I were him id stay at home and experience the college life and play at BC for 2 years.
I could understand that, but I would think it's a bad comparison to make, just because Dartmouth and BC have such different level programmes. The Beanpot is a great experience for a college player, too. Edit: just had a thought -- wasn't one problem with Jessiman that initially, he was too into the whole college lifestlyle? Maybe that's what spooked the Rangers.
One thing I really like about Kreider is that I believe, when he realised that he was getting too good to play HS hockey anymore, he decided to graduate in 3 years so he could go right into the NHL. It shows some serious dedication to his craft.
I think the most important thing is that the Rangers allow him and his parents to make the decision, even with their input, and then support him whichever way he goes.
The Rangers should NOT be commenting abou this in the media. What is the point of saying something to a reporter about it? All this does is create tension between the kid and his family and the Rangers Management.
Would going to the Q help Kredier more then playing in College?
