Understanding the NHL Draft Process for College Hockey Players
Do college hockey players get selected for the NHL draft? Indeed, many players secure their spots in the NHL draft even before starting their NCAA careers. Annually, only a select few are drafted directly from the NCAA, with others signing as free agents post-graduation.
Let’s explore the regulations and pathways through which NCAA players transition to the NHL.
Exploring the NHL Draft Path for NCAA Hockey Players
Do NCAA hockey players enter the NHL draft? Typically, NCAA-bound hockey players are selected in the NHL draft before they start their college careers, contrasting with sports like the NBA and NFL where athletes enter the draft after declaring their intentions post-college.
Understanding the NHL Draft Eligibility
To grasp this process, it’s crucial to understand the NHL draft rules. Players eligible for the draft must be 18 by September 15 of the draft year and no older than 19 by December 31. Each year, NHL teams pick the most promising young talent during the NHL Entry Draft, many of whom are future NCAA players.
Implications for NCAA Hockey and the NHL Draft
Most college hockey players are already 18 when they begin their freshman year, making them eligible for the NHL draft held in late June annually. Thus, the most skilled players are usually drafted before they play their first NCAA game.
Furthermore, being drafted doesn’t guarantee a contract with an NHL team; it merely gives the team the drafting rights to the player. This arrangement allows players to be drafted yet still maintain their NCAA eligibility by not signing a contract immediately.
Additionally, most elite prospects are drafted within the 18 to 19 age range, leaving a second tier of talented but not top-tier NHL prospects in college hockey. The NCAA typically features older players, with teams in major tournaments often led by athletes aged 21 and 22 rather than younger freshmen.
The Rarity of NCAA-to-NHL Draft Jumps
Only a few players transition from the NCAA to the NHL draft each year, typically those who start college at 17. For instance, Owen Power and Matty Beniers, drafted 1st and 2nd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, entered college at 17 and turned 18 after the NHL’s age cutoff, showcasing a unique draft trajectory.
Origins of NCAA Hockey Players
Where do NCAA hockey players originate from? Predominantly, these athletes transition from U.S. high schools, U.S. junior leagues, and Canadian junior leagues.
Key Development Leagues in the U.S.
A pivotal development arena for these players is the United States Hockey League (USHL), which comprises 16 teams across the Midwestern states. Notable alumni of the USHL include Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, and Matthew Tkachuk, among others. While some USHL players directly enter the NHL, many proceed to compete in the NCAA.
Canadian Contributions to NCAA Hockey
In Canada, the primary feeder systems are the provincial junior leagues, distinct from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)—the apex of junior hockey in Canada. Participation in the CHL disqualifies players from NCAA eligibility due to its professional status.
Provincial leagues like the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) serve as alternatives for players preferring to stay closer to home and aim for the NCAA instead of the CHL. Players often remain in these leagues until they reach the maximum age limit of 19 or 20, hoping to secure a spot on an NCAA team across Division 1, 2, or 3.
NCAA Success Stories
Prominent figures such as Jonathan Toews and Cale Makar have followed this path from local provincial leagues to NCAA success, highlighting the diverse routes players take to reach collegiate hockey.
Understanding NHL Draft Eligibility for NCAA Players
Players interested in the NHL do not need to declare for the draft. In fact, many athletes are selected by NHL teams before they even begin their NCAA careers, which doesn’t affect their eligibility since they haven’t engaged in professional contracts.
For those not drafted before entering the NCAA, they remain eligible for future NHL drafts until they reach 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of the draft. This rule distinguishes the NHL from leagues like the NFL or NBA, where athletes typically start their professional careers immediately after being drafted.
In contrast, the NHL allows drafted players to develop within the NCAA without signing professional contracts immediately, holding their rights for up to four years. This system effectively utilizes the NCAA as a developmental league, where younger players (18-19 years old) gain valuable experience by competing against older athletes (22-23 years old).
When a team deems a player’s development sufficient, they may offer a contract to join either their minor league squad or the NHL team directly. Signing this contract marks the end of the player’s NCAA eligibility, typically occurring after one to three years of collegiate hockey.
Pathways to the NHL for Undrafted NCAA Graduates
Each year, a select few NCAA athletes who weren’t drafted manage to sign with NHL teams as free agents after completing their college careers. This opportunity allows them to choose a team that best suits their professional aspirations.
Typically, only 2-4 players annually take this route, given the high skill threshold required for the NHL. Most NCAA graduates are not able to make the leap directly to the NHL and instead join minor league teams. However, a small number secure NHL contracts and aim to become what are known as ‘role players’—those who are cost-effective, defensively strong, and play supporting roles on their teams.
A notable exception involves players who were drafted but completed four years of NCAA hockey. They become free agents too, free to sign with any team, thus nullifying their draft team’s rights. An example of this is Jimmy Vesey, a Harvard graduate and Hobey Baker Award recipient, who, despite being drafted by the Nashville Predators, chose to sign with his childhood favorite, the New York Rangers, illustrating this rare but potential pathway to the NHL.
Eligibility for Entering the NHL without College Hockey
It’s not mandatory to play college hockey before joining the NHL. As long as you’re 18 years old, you’re eligible to play in the league, unlike the NBA which requires a year post-high school.
While only a handful of 18-year-olds are ready for the NHL, most players reach the league in their early 20s after honing their skills in development leagues like the NCAA, Canada’s Major Junior Hockey, European men’s leagues, or NHL-affiliated minor leagues.
The NCAA is a significant development pathway, with 33% of NHL players having played there—a considerable figure compared to other sports like the NFL, where the majority of players come through college football. This reflects the NHL’s international scope, with diverse developmental leagues contributing talent to the league.
Read Also: Did Jack Hughes participate in College Hockey?
Conclusion
To sum up, many NCAA hockey players are chosen for the NHL draft before they even begin their college experience, seeing the NCAA as a key stepping stone in their development. A few players move straight from NCAA to NHL, showcasing the different routes available to reach the professional leagues. Those not drafted may later join the NHL as free agents, proving the varied opportunities in pursuing a hockey career at the highest level.
FAQ’s: NHL Draft Process for College Hockey Players
Can you be drafted into the NHL from college?
Yes, it is possible. There are currently 236 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey players who have been selected by NHL teams. Additionally, 10 NCAA teams each boast at least 10 players who have been drafted into the NHL.
What is the path for hockey players to join the NHL?
Players typically enter the NHL through the NHL Entry Draft, an annual event where teams select eligible players between the ages of 18-20 from North America and 18-21 from Europe or other international regions. Those older than these age limits can join the league as unrestricted free agents.
How is the selection order determined for the NHL Draft?
The selection order in the NHL Draft is primarily determined by the previous season’s standings. Teams with fewer points pick earlier. This sequence is established through the NHL draft lottery, which specifically assigns the top picks.
Who holds the record as the youngest NHL player?
Armand “Bep” Guidolin is the record holder for the youngest player in the NHL, debuting with the Boston Bruins on November 12, 1942, at the age of 16.
Which is the most challenging position to secure in the NHL?
The position of goaltender is widely considered the toughest to master and excel in, especially as the competition intensifies. However, the role of center is pivotal, involving frequent participation in faceoffs, which are critical to controlling the game’s flow.
Are NHL players eligible to play in college competitions?
Once players sign a contract with an NHL team, they lose their eligibility to compete in NCAA games. However, drafted players who have not yet signed can continue to play in college.
