EHM The Blue Line

I've now drafted 2 high draft picks both "aiming to play college hockey" that haven't committed to any college a year after the NHL draft. Noah Hanifin for one, despite the fact that he was missed being placed on his actual NCAA team (Boston College), I also have Austin Matthews a full year after draft with no signs of getting ready to go to college.

Both these players have CHL rights, but I'm thinking because of their desire to go the NCAA route, they won't sign with their respective CHL teams, thus leaving them with the US NDTP until the Pro team signs them.

Intentionally (Not so) I have dedicated my next draft to a mix of players looking to go NCAA. I have 5 picks used on different players of different situations, but all "aiming to go to college".

Scotty Cole: my 2nd rndr Born Sarnia, Ont, drafted by Peterborough in 2nd round, currently playing OntJr. A for Whitby.
Joni Uotila: my 7th rndr Seinajoki, FIN, no CHL rights, currently playing K-Vantaa
Tyler Moog: my 4th rndr Born Chester, NS, drafted by blainsville (QHL) 1st round, currently playing for Truro in NSjrA.
Gilles Huggett: my 5th rndrBorn Petersberg MI, no chl rights, currently playing Cranbrook HS.
Jake Oettinger: my 6th rndr Born Farmington CT, drafted by portland 9th round, currently playing Lakeville North HS.

So Moog and Cole are similar, I initially didnt see the CHL rights. But each of these players states a desire to play NCAA. I'll see where they all end up, but all are 18 now or in 3 months, so they should all commit throughout the year to an NCAA team if in fact thats where they are gonna go. I'll keep this updated.

UPDATE: Reminder, all these players were drafted 2017, aside from matthews (2016). See above for draft position.

Auston Matthews - Decided to finally sign Mid-way last season, no commit to College, wanted to send to CHL myself for development purposes.

Scotty Cole - Still aiming to play College, but currently entering into another season with Whitby of the OPJHL. Still has CHL rights, no CHL contract.

Joni Uotila - Still aiming to play College, but currently entering into another season with K-vantaa of Fin-2 league.

Tiger Moog - Now 19 years of age, unwanted by any College, but still holding hopes? Still has CHL rights, but entering his 2nd and last junior year after being drafted with a Junior A minor league club in the Maritimes. No CHL contract.

Gilles Hugget - Accepted to Ferris State of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Same as...........

Jake Oettinger - was accepted to Quinnipac of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association for the 2018/19 Season. Drafted at the end of 2017, so he spent an extra year in High School.

You should report this on the SI forums also.

Update!

Came on just to say the same thing... pretty frustrating when the game's college system is intriguing developmentally, but not when almost all of the guys they in theory would have showed up in college stay on high school team or ushl rosters until they sign nhl at 20.

Yeah it is a bit annoying. I know they will fix this.

Also annoying but off topic:

1. Junior players in CHL who end up playing in another protected league. WHL guys going to OHL or Q, etc. This happens once every 5 years or so (With WHL Involved, and maybe a bit more between O and Q, but not much) at age 19-20. The leagues would rather develop their own young guys than bring in a vet from another area. So never happens.
2. Junior studs-Luke Philp, Tyson Baillie playing in Junior B leagues at age 19-20 AFTER they are drafted in the NHL. NO WAY NO HOW would a team send those guys to junior B.
3. Stud junior players being traded left and right for picks. When their team is in a playoff spot.


The research in the junior leagues is not complete, but the AI in the junior leagues is WORSE than not complete. It is really really weak.

batdad wrote:Yeah it is a bit annoying. I know they will fix this.

Also annoying but off topic:

1. Junior players in CHL who end up playing in another protected league. WHL guys going to OHL or Q, etc. This happens once every 5 years or so (With WHL Involved, and maybe a bit more between O and Q, but not much) at age 19-20. The leagues would rather develop their own young guys than bring in a vet from another area. So never happens.
2. Junior studs-Luke Philp, Tyson Baillie playing in Junior B leagues at age 19-20 AFTER they are drafted in the NHL. NO WAY NO HOW would a team send those guys to junior B.
3. Stud junior players being traded left and right for picks. When their team is in a playoff spot.


The research in the junior leagues is not complete, but the AI in the junior leagues is WORSE than not complete. It is really really weak.

Yeah, all issues carried over from 07. Hopefully there will be time for Riz to correct this issues. I'm sure he'll at least improve it with time.

Absolutely Dave he will. Riz always gets stuff done.