August Question #7: NCAA or CHL?

Which is the better league/program to develop young players - and why?

CHL, in that it is considered professional. The format and schedule is more along the lines of the NHL, and it is the top junior league. CHL produces more NHLers than NCAA, and many take 4 years to reach the NHL level.

i'll take the opposite side.

NCAA:

To date, the CHL has produced more NHL players, but as the NCAA becomes more competitive and more players opt to attend school, the NCAA will overtake the CHL in a shortwhile.

Most players take a few years to develop both physically and mentally. By playing longer seasons when you are younger, you wear your body down quicker and may not be able to sustain yourself through the peak years of your career.

The NCAA atmosphere will help your mental makeup and create a more 'well-rounded' individual.

By the time your NCAA career is complete, you are ready to join the NHL squad at the start of your peak years feeling refreshed and ready.

There are pros and cons to either decision. And I also think the decision is made way too early. These kids are forced with huge, life altering decisions before they are 14 - Go "Pro" or take the Collegiate path. Either way, there's a good chance you are leaving home at 15 or 16 and being sent off to live as far away as overseas to live with billets, or going off to school a few years later.

And once you make the decision to go "pro", you have ended any and all chances of NCAA eligibility.

And yes, the risk is there that you purse the professional course and you endure a career ending injury and have nothing to show for it; or you make a very good living for the next 10-15 years.

While on the other hand, you can take the slower course and at the same time receive a free education at a prestigious university.

Some of the more successful players to come from the NCAA ranks have left their tenure early to join their pro teams, while many have made the jump from CHL to AHL/NHL in 2-3 years.

It's conditional on your nationality:

Right now the CHL is the best path for Canadian and foreign players.

It provides the best atmosphere to develop at a higher calibre at a younger age.

That being said the CHL is slowly becoming a lesser option for Americians because they can play for the NTDP/USHL leagues and develop their skills at a similiar level of the CHL, but with less wear and tear.

Once they finish the NTDP/USHL leagues, then they still have the opportunity to join either the NCAA or the CHL after having their skills polished with their respective clubs.