Posted by Stephanie on 09 July 1999 at 23:30 GMT
Posted from 207.228.64.54 (cache.cadvision.com)
In reply to Re: NHL Draft age posted by Mike Ewer on 07 July 1999 at 16:38 GMT:
The draft age used to be 20 and then in the 70s when the World Hockey Association started up in rivalry with the NHL it started drafting at 18 and kids who wanted to get into pro hockey went to play for their teams instead...so eventually the NHL adopted the 18 year mark so that they could compete for the young kids. I believe that officially the age is 19 but at 18 a player can opt into the draft, and naturally everyone does. Typically 1 or 2 play in the NHL their 1st year but few really make an impact. Usually you get a steady progression so that after 3-4 years they become desirable commodities....then you get guys like Arnott who have a brilliant 1st year and never come close to that level again. It would improve the Junior World Championships too as there would be fewer draft picks unable to get a release from their NHL clubs to play.