He Said What? Comparing the CHL and the NCAA

Recently, I wrote Comparing BU’s Jack Eichel to Other College Hockey Greats for the Hockey Writers and apparently one of my comments in a post caught the eye of a CHL fan.

Since McDavid plays in the OHL and Eichel plays in college, it’s almost impossible to compare the two players’ stats. First, Eichel is playing against older players in college hockey. Second, McDavid is racking up points against younger players in the OHL. This is not a slam on either league. Both college and Major Juniors are good routes for development and both players are great talents.

However, we can compare their WJHC numbers. In his first five games for team Canada, McDavid scored (2g-5a—7pts). On the flip side, in five games Eichel scored (1g-3a—4pts). For the sake of comparison, Dylan Larkin who scored (5g-2a—7pts) was the top player on team USA.

Comparing Eichel to the other first round draft choices on the USA WJC team, Alex Tuch scored (1g-1a—2pts), Sonny Milano (2g-2a—4pts).

One of the questions that I wanted to explore was how does Eichel compare to other college hockey greats? Since Eichel has only played 16 games, I am not sure how much of a comparison we can make. In my opinion, the only statistic that we can use to compare him to the others college hockey greats is points per game. (read the rest of the post)

Nevertheless, college hockey players are playing against older, stronger players in college hockey. The players in the CHL are playing against younger players, there's statistics to back this up.

I found this article and it does a good job of explaining it. Most college hockey fans know this as well. The person in question, didn't

“The game is more intense,” Gadowsky said. “I think that makes it more difficult to put up a lot of points. The rosters in college dictate that every player that’s on the ice, is going to be at a very high level.”

The disparity in size and ability between a 16 and 20-year-old is much different than that of a 21 and 25-year-old, he said.

Though there is no fighting in college hockey as there is in major junior hockey, older college-aged players will be more equally developed in strength and stature than their younger counterparts in the CHL. (Matt Nestor, the Daily Collegian) 

 The fact remains, the CHL and the NCAA are both great routes for development. There's no debating this. The CHL is a great route to the NHL if you're a high draft pick. If you're a late bloomer, the NCAA route is probably better.

USA WJC Hockey: Kerdiles checked from behind Sulak

USA forward Nic Kerdiles checked from behind by Czech Republic Defenseman Libor Sulak during game one of the 2014 IIHF WJC. There was no call on the play. After watching the video of the hit a few times, I am not really upset with the no-call in this instance.

Related articles

• IIHF WJC 2014: The most Wonderful time of the year...Go Team USA... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Maple Leafs Legacy at the World Junior Championships (thehockeywriters.com)
• Part 1: Maple Leafs at the World Junior Championships (thehockeywriters.com)
• "Bittersweet" Homecoming for Grand Forks' Lamoureux Twins (thehockeywriters.com)

2014 WJC TV Schedule

This year you will again be able to watch the 2014 WJC on NHL Network... Also, there's some very good news as well. Dave Starman of CBSSN will be in the booth with Steve Mears, co-host of NHL Network’s NHL Live. The games will start the day after Christmas and continue till January 5, 2014. This season, no one from UND's hockey team is on the USA WJC team or the Canadian WJC team for that matter.

(Video) A Badger and an Eagle lead the way; USA 5 Canada 1

With the win today, the Americans beat the Canadians in the World Junior Championship for just the second time in 11 tries (2/11 .188%). It was sweet watching the Canadians stand in shock at their red line – watching the American flag being raised  – while the Star Spangled Banner was being played.

With the win, the USA will play the Swedes for the IIHF U20 WJC gold on Saturday morning at 7:00 C.T. am. 

Leading the way for the Americans was Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Jake McCabe (2g-1a—3pts) and Boston College forward Johnny Gaudreau (2g-1a—3pts). Johnny Hockey now leads the WJC with seven goals. Make that seven goals in three games. Gaudreau is also leading team USA in scoring with (7g-2a—9tps).

I just finished watching the game for a second time, I just think that the Americans out played the Canadians badly. Canada was very sloppy in the defensive zone and the USA got better goaltending.

USA goalie John Gibson has been downright amazing during the WJC; his numbers are eye popping, .954 save percentage and an impressive 1.43 goals against average. Apparently, Canadian defense man Griffin Reinhardt has a hearing with the IIHF disciplinary committee scheduled for his high sticking penalty on USA’s Vincent Trocheck. Reinhardt hit Trocheck in the helmet with his stick. Trocheck was given a two-minute minor penalty for the high stick.

Being a Boston Bruins fan, I am concerned about the play the Canadian goalie Malcom Subban, I think that he has been Canada’s weak link in this tourney. I also have not been impressed with Canadian defenseman and Boston Bruins draftee Dougie Hamilton.

USA's Shayne Gostisbehere cup checks Matus Matis of Team Slovakia

I think this is one of the weakest calls that I have ever seen, notice Matis didn't even go down till he realized I better drop to the ice and flail around so I can draw a major penalty.

This is the typical example of European hockey. I have to be honest, I have begun to tire of some of the on ice antics of the European players, during the 2013 WJC. That's not to say that Shayne Gostisbehere doesn't deserve a penalty for checking to see if Matus Matis is wearing a cup, but In my opinion this isn't worthy of an extra game. What do you think?

Team USA defenseman Jacob Trouba's game tying goal against Russia

Here is the game tying goal by Michigan and team USA defenseman Jacob Trouba with the game tying at the 13:20 mark of the second period. Trouba has been one of the USA's best players so far during the WJC.

NHL.com to offer live WJC coverage

The wonderful time of the year, the WJC is one of the best hockey tourney's on hockey. As the No Hockey League owners continue their squabble with the NHLPA; at least there is going to be hockey on the NHL Network this winter.

It's also nice to see that there will  be rebroadcasts of the games in the evening at reasonable times so we can see the games an not have to get up at the oh dark thirty in the morning to watch the games.

CHL to have a players union

Canadian Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article caught my attention and is worth a read if you haven't seen it.

I wonder what kind of grievances you will see filed in regards to the education packages and compensation? I wonder if that zinger is too soon.

Mike Davies, Peterborough Examiner --- A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.

“The CHL is big business. They make millions of dollars a year and these kids make it for them,” said Slater. “Hockey Canada is a big part of this as well.”

If a 60 per cent majority of players accept the union, Slater says the CHL will have no choice but to recognize it by law.

“We're hoping to have a good working relationship,” she said.

It also sounds like some of the same arguments that you hear surrounding the NCAA are also being talked about by the CHL players. Some have argued that college and universities should play the NCAA players especially in NCAA football and basketball because their schools makes so much off of the fruits of their labor.

D'Agostini said a QMJHL player he trains with mentioned it one day but that's the extent of his knowledge. He admits to mixed feelings. He says players should be compensated for the use of their image and he wouldn't turn down more money but he says: “I can't complain about the things I have gotten out of this league. The experience of playing for Team Canada. Playing in the Subway Series. You're always decked out in nice gear and are given free stuff. I'm sure I have gone through thousands of dollars worth of hockey sticks alone. I know I have been well taken care of. I don't know what to say.”

Bruins draft choice Dougie Hamilton gets 10 Game Suspension

A future Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs has been suspended by the OHL for this hit. In viewing the video it would appear that a 10 game ban seems about right for this hit.

TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League suspended Niagara IceDogs defenseman Dougie Hamilton for 10 games Thursday.

Hamilton, who played for Canada at the world junior hockey championship, received the ban for a shot to the head of Sudbury left-winger Michael MacDonald in Niagara's 5-2 victory over the Wolves on Jan. 13.

MacDonald skated into the IceDogs' zone and had his head down as he tried to regain control of the puck after it was been poked free by a Niagara defenseman.

Hamilton connected with MacDonald's head and moved his elbow up into the check, sending the Wolves' captain hard to the ice nearly three minutes into the third period.

Related articles

• Boston Bruins Sign D Dougie Hamilton (tracking.si.com)
• IceDogs tie record for most players on Canadian junior team (tsn.ca)
• IceDogs tie record for most players on Canadian junior team (tsn.ca)
• Bruins sign top draft pick Hamilton for 3 years (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Bruins sign top draft pick Hamilton for three years (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

NHL Network to host WJC till 2018

Image via WikipediaHere is the official announcement.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey and the NHL Network U.S. have agreed to a long-term extension of their broadcast deal that will keep NHL Network as the exclusive home for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in the United States through the 2018 event.

NHL Network will provide exclusive live broadcasts and NHL.com will provide live streams of all U.S. National Junior Team games at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship taking place Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 in Alberta, Canada. NHL Network will also televise all medal-round games and five additional preliminary-round match-ups, airing a total of 15 games in high definition.

"We're extremely pleased to extend our partnership with the NHL Network," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "They're passionate about televising the World Junior Championship and fans will notice continued enhancements in their coverage of Team USA and the tournament overall."

“The IIHF World Junior Championship is not only a preeminent international hockey tournament, it has become known as the place to view future NHL stars," said Bob Chesterman, NHL Network vice president of programming. “Viewers will see a high level of skill and talent and intense match-ups between rival countries. The World Junior Championship is an excellent complement to our NHL programming.”

All Team USA games will be NHL Network original broadcasts. "NHL On the Fly," NHL Network’s signature highlight show, and NHL Live will provide intermission coverage and nightly analysis of the tournament.

The U.S. National Junior Team is coming off back-to-back medals in the IIHF World Junior Championship for the first time ever, having earned a bronze medal in last year's event in Buffalo, N.Y., and a gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship in Saskatoon, Sask.

The tournament's popularity stems from its reputation as a showcase for the game's best up-and-coming young players from around the world. Many current American-born NHL stars have played in the tournament, including Patrick Kane, Jack Johnson, Zach Parise and Bobby Ryan, to name a few.

The U.S. National Junior Team will begin preliminary-round play against Denmark on Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. EST. A full Team USA and NHL Network television schedule is below.

2012 IIHF World Junior Championship
NHL Network (U.S.) Television Schedule

Date	Matchup	City *	Time (EST)
Dec. 26	Canada vs. Finland	Edmonton, Alta.	3:30 p.m.
	USA vs. Denmark	Edmonton, Alta.	8 p.m.
Dec. 27	Denmark vs. Czech Republic	Edmonton, Alta.	8 p.m.
Dec. 28	Finland vs. USA	Edmonton, Alta.	3:30 p.m.
	Czech Republic vs. Canada	Edmonton, Alta.	8 p.m.
Dec. 29	Canada vs. Denmark	Edmonton, Alta.	8 p.m.
Dec. 30	Czech Republic vs. USA	Edmonton, Alta.	3:30 p.m.
	Finland vs. Denmark	Edmonton, Alta.	8 p.m.
Dec. 31	USA vs. Canada	Edmonton, Alta.	8 p.m.
Jan. 2	Quarterfinal #1	Calgary, Alta.	5 p.m.
	Quarterfinal #2	Calgary, Alta.	9 p.m.
Jan. 3	Semifinal #1	Calgary, Alta.	5 p.m.
	Semifinal #2	Calgary, Alta.	9 p.m.
Jan. 5	Bronze-Medal Game	Calgary, Alta.	3:30 p.m.
	Gold-Medal Game	Calgary, Alta.	8:00 p.m.

UND Defenseman Derek Forbort named to 2012 U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeMEN’S HOCKEY – DECEMBER 5, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota sophomore defenseman Derek Forbort has been named to the preliminary roster of the 2012 United States National Junior Team, announced today by USA Hockey.

The group will gather for a camp in Camrose, Alberta, on Dec. 17, with the final 22-player U.S. National Junior Team roster expected to be named Dec. 22. The camp will include exhibition games against Russia (Dec. 20), Switzerland (Dec. 21) and Slovakia (Dec. 23).

The 2012 U.S. National Junior Team will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alta. Team USA will look to earn its third straight medal after capturing the bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., and the gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Saskatoon, Sask.

Forbort was key member on the 2011 U.S. team that won the bronze medal in Buffalo, N.Y. The Duluth, Minn., native appeared in all six games and helped lead the U.S. to its second straight medal.

In 16 games this season with the 19th-ranked Fighting Sioux, Forbort has a goal (PPG) and three assists. A first-round draft pick, 15th overall, of the Los Angeles Kings in 2010, Forbort produced 15 assists and led all Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) rookie defensemen with plus-21 in 38 games as a freshman last season.