OHL vs. College Hockey Quality?

[Toggers 3]

I'm wondering how the OHL compares to U.S. college hockey in terms of quality of play. For that matter, how does the AHL compare?

[LeftWinger 5,131]

College hockey has made leaps and bounds compared to what it used to be. There is a reason a lot of good young Canadian/European kids choose US Colleges for playing. I do think though that there are still more scouts that watch the OHL compared to US schools, so you will get a lot more kids trying to go to the OHL to get "looked" at more. But you have to take your hat off to USA Hockey in todays world, from College's to USA Natioanal Teams in the way they have improved in the last 20 years. I would say the quality of play is similar/very close, but I think the more talent still goes to CHL (which contains the OHL/WHL/Quebec Major) for the exposure...AHL is just that, minor leagues of men who are near NHL ready or past NHL quality.

edit: It would be very cool to see the NCAA Champion take on the CHL Champion in a game for fun....of course there are other leagues in the USA that develope kids very well too the UNited States Hockey League being one of them (Justin Abdelkader played for Cedar Rapids)

Here is a link to a list off ALL Hockey Leagues around the world and as you can see the Canadian and USA list is vast:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ice_hockey_leagues#North_America

Edited January 27, 2013 by LeftWinger

[MasterPavel 115]

Good stuff Lefty

[LeftWinger 5,131]

Good stuff Lefty

Danke Shoen!

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

In my opinion the WHL, OHL and QJMHL are way tougher to play in than any College hockey league. Don't get me wrong D-I College is really good. I go to a lot of games here in Mankato. Minnesota State Mavericks are D-I in the WCHA. However next season I believe the WCHA and CCHA are completely being re-done. No denying that some great players have come out of D-I hockey that are currently playing. Still think the major junior leagues are better. Opinion of course.

...

[jollymania 162]

THe CHL is certainly better but there can be nhl caliber stars in the ncaa.

Edited January 28, 2013 by jollymania

[Guest Johnz96]

In my opinion the WHL, OHL and QJMHL are way tougher to play in than any College hockey league. Don't get me wrong D-I College is really good. I go to a lot of games here in Mankato. Minnesota State Mavericks are D-I in the WCHA. However next season I believe the WCHA and CCHA are completely being re-done. No denying that some great players have come out of D-I hockey that are currently playing. Still think the major junior leagues are better. Opinion of course.

...

You're opinion is wrong.

The NCAA hockey is much better than jr. because the players are so much older. There are many examples of players that have gone to jr. from college and they always score so much more in jr.

Some examples that come to mind. Charlie Coyle, Duncan Keith, Mike Comrie...

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

Where else outside of LGW's is having an opinion "wrong"

To be honest - I haven't seen much NCAA hockey as of late to really be a good judge, and just in the past few months have I been able to watch Major JR hockey on the NHL Network courtesy of the lockout...So basically I don't know enough of either to have a opinion, but in Major JR they do allow fisticuffs

Nazi Germany, your opinion is always wrong in Nazi Germany

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

You're opinion is wrong.

The NCAA hockey is much better than jr. because the players are so much older. There are many examples of players that have gone to jr. from college and they always score so much more in jr.

Some examples that come to mind. Charlie Coyle, Duncan Keith, Mike Comrie...

Ok. But like F. Michael said the kids in juniors can drop the gloves. In the NCAA you can but get suspended for a game or two. Could be more I think. Also the icing rule in College is different. That automatic icing rule I don't like it. Maybe you do? Another opinion. Yes most College players are older than the major junior kids. NCAA D1 hockey like leftwinger stated has gotten a lot better. Opinion on that is College hockey has become much better these last 10 years or so. I think we are seeing more College players being more dominant at the NHL level than ever before. Backes (Minnesota State), Parise (North Dakato), Toews (North Dakota) to name a few. I'm sure I'm missing more but those names come to mind.

Last time I remember if you play on any NCAA D1 hockey team you can't go play on any Major Junior Canadian team and vice versa? Has that rule changed?

Edited January 28, 2013 by St. Michael (the Red Wing)

[Guest The Axe]

Nazi Germany, your opinion is always wrong in Nazi Germany

Heil Hudler. Oh wait...

[evilzyme 769]

You're opinion is wrong.

The NCAA hockey is much better than jr. because the players are so much older. There are many examples of players that have gone to jr. from college and they always score so much more in jr.

Some examples that come to mind. Charlie Coyle, Duncan Keith, Mike Comrie...

You are opinion wrong! On a more serious note, how can one's OPINION be WRONG? It's called an opinion for a reason. It's THEIRS not YOURS! Talking about the actual thread, I think more kids are prone to junior leagues because they have a bigger shot to make the big show. College is great, but majority of the schools don't have great developmental programs compared to juniors. Of course it's my opinion, but I simply feel development wise, you'll have a better shot at juniors rather than in college.

[Guest The Axe]

You are opinion wrong! On a more serious note, how can one's OPINION be WRONG? It's called an opinion for a reason. It's THEIRS not YOURS! Talking about the actual thread, I think more kids are prone to junior leagues because they have a bigger shot to make the big show. College is great, but majority of the schools don't have great developmental programs compared to juniors. Of course it's my opinion, but I simply feel development wise, you'll have a better shot at juniors rather than in college.

I like watching the AHL better than college, but thats about it.

[evilmrt 636]

Seems like NCAA D1 hockey exists more for its own sake, while Major Jr (CHL) is intentionally a development league. Its a slight difference, and I think that is why you see more talent go to the CHL. I agree with the comment above....college and jrs should have some kind of matchup, maybe even just a little holiday tournament i.e. Great Lakes Invitational.

[toby91_ca 620]

The average US college team or average Cdn University team would probably beat the average CHL team, but the best players still go through the CHL. It is tough to compare because the biggest difference that people need to consider is that the players in the CHL are probably, on average, at least 2-3 years younger than college players.

[number9 3,297]

You're opinion is wrong.

The NCAA hockey is much better than jr. because the players are so much older. There are many examples of players that have gone to jr. from college and they always score so much more in jr.

Some examples that come to mind. Charlie Coyle, Duncan Keith, Mike Comrie...

You're opinion is wrong lol

Scoring more has absolutely nothing to do with how good the hockey is.

I rarely ever make it to NHL games and watch mostly CCHA and OHL games. OHL > NCAA every day of the week. College hockey has indeed gotten better, but is no way better than the CHL. Trying watching a game.

NO HOCKEY FOR YOU, 5 YEAR

[MotorCityMadness 388]

Ok. But like F. Michael said the kids in juniors can drop the gloves. In the NCAA you can but get suspended for a game or two. Could be more I think. Also the icing rule in College is different. That automatic icing rule I don't like it. Maybe you do? Another opinion. Yes most College players are older than the major junior kids. NCAA D1 hockey like leftwinger stated has gotten a lot better. Opinion on that is College hockey has become much better these last 10 years or so. I think we are seeing more College players being more dominant at the NHL level than ever before. Backes (Minnesota State), Parise (North Dakato), Toews (North Dakota) to name a few. I'm sure I'm missing more but those names come to mind.

Last time I remember if you play on any NCAA D1 hockey team you can't go play on any Major Junior Canadian team and vice versa? Has that rule changed?

You have it backwards...if you play in a major junior game then your eligibility is done for that year and any subsequent game played in after that is another year gone (i.e. 2 games = 2 years of lost eligibility for the NCAA).

If you play on an NCAA team and are still of age, you have the option to leave to go play major junior and that can include an overage year.

Hope that makes sense

[lacrossekid2 5]

Ok. But like F. Michael said the kids in juniors can drop the gloves. In the NCAA you can but get suspended for a game or two. Could be more I think. Also the icing rule in College is different. That automatic icing rule I don't like it. Maybe you do? Another opinion. Yes most College players are older than the major junior kids. NCAA D1 hockey like leftwinger stated has gotten a lot better. Opinion on that is College hockey has become much better these last 10 years or so. I think we are seeing more College players being more dominant at the NHL level than ever before. Backes (Minnesota State), Parise (North Dakato), Toews (North Dakota) to name a few. I'm sure I'm missing more but those names come to mind.

Last time I remember if you play on any NCAA D1 hockey team you can't go play on any Major Junior Canadian team and vice versa? Has that rule changed?

You're forgetting our own goalie! Jimmy Howard was an absolute monster in the NCAA at Maine. Brendan Smith was a beast at Wisconsin as well and look at who has came out of MSU lately, Drew and Ryan Miller, Abby, Duncan Keith and even stars like Rob Blake played in the NCAA as well. And UM has essentially produced an all-star team of players in the last 15 years

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

You have it backwards...if you play in a major junior game then your eligibility is done for that year and any subsequent game played in after that is another year gone (i.e. 2 games = 2 years of lost eligibility for the NCAA).

If you play on an NCAA team and are still of age, you have the option to leave to go play major junior and that can include an overage year.

Hope that makes sense

Thank you for explaining that.

[LeftWinger 5,131]

OK....

NCAA/USA Hockey Stars:

1979:

Mike Ramsey (NCAA)

Dave Christian (NCAA)

Neal Broten (NCAA)

Glen Anderson (NCAA)

1980:

Aaron Broten (NCAA)

Jay Miller (NCAA)

Craig Ludwig (NCAA)

Steve Bozek (NCAA)

Murray Eaves (NCAA)

Dino Ciccarelli (OKC Stars)

1981:

Chris Chelios (NCAA)

Bruce Driver (NCAA)

Tom Kurvers (NCAA)

Bobby Carpenter (Mass. HS - St. Johns Prep)

1982:

Phil Housley (Minn. HS Hockey - South St. Paul)

Tony Granato (NY Hockey - Northwood Prep)

Patrick Flately (NCAA)

Kevin Dineen (NCAA)

Kelly Miller (NCAA)

1983:

Tom Barrasso (Mass - Acton-Boxboro HS)

Kevin Stevens (Mass - Silver Lake HS)

Brian Noonan (Mass - Archbishop Williams HS)

Norm Lacombe (NCAA)

Peter Taglianetti (NCAA)

Frank Petriangelo (NCAA)

Chris Terreri (NCAA)

Gary Galley (NCAA)

1984:

Eddie Olczyk - (US National Team)

Ken Hodge (Mass HS - St. Johns Prep)

Jeff Norton (Mass HS - Cushing Academy)

Stephan Leach (Mass - Matignon HS)

Mike Peluso (Minn HS - Greenway)

Paul Broten (Minn - Roseau HS)

Don Sweeney (N.H. - St. Paul HS)

Kevin Miller (NCAA)

Peter Douris (NCAA)

Gary Suter (NCAA)

1985:

Eric Weinrich (Maine - North Yarmouth Academy)

Tim Sweeney (Mass - Weymouth North HS)

Paul Stanton (Mass - Catholic Memorial HS)

Tom Chorske (Minn - Plymouth Armstrong HS)

Mike Ritcher (NY - Northwood Prep)

Pat Joblonski (NAHL - Detroit Compuware)

Craig Simpson (NCAA)

Joe Nieuwendyk (NCAA)

Hugh "Randy" McKay (NCAA)

Aam Oates (NCAA)

1986:

Brian Leetch (Conn. - Avon Old Farms HS)

Tom Fitzgerald (Mass - Austin Prep.)

Rob Stauber (Minn - Deluth Denfield HS)

Joe Murphey (NCAA)

Scott Young (NCAA

Craig Janey (NCAA)

Bob Corkum (NCAA)

1987:

Joe Sacco (Mass - Medford HS)

Ted Denato (Mass - Catholic Memorial HS)

Shawn McEachern (Mass - Matignon HS)

Damien Rhodes (Minn - Richfield HS)

Jim Dowd (NJ - Brick Township HS)

Brad Werenka (NCAA)

Kip Miller (NCAA)

Guy Hebert (NCAA)

Garth Snow (RI - Mt. St. Charles HS)

John Leclair (Vermont - Bellows Free Academy)

1988:

Jeremy Roenick (Mass - Thayer Academy)

Steve Heinze (Mass - Lawerence Academy)

Tony Amonte (Mass - Thayer Academy)

Marty Mcinnis (Mass - Milton Academy)

David Sacco (Mass - Medford HS)

Sean Hill (Minn - Deluth East HS)

Jason Muzatti (NCAA)

Adrian Plavsic (NCAA)

Rob Blake (NCAA)

Joe Juneau (NCAA)

Shjon Podein (NCAA)

Kevin Dahl (NCAA)

Keith Carney (RI - Mt. St. Charles HS)

1989:

Doug Zmolek (Minn - Rochester Marshall HS)

Trent Klatt (Minn - Osseo HS)

Aaron Miller (NAJHL)

Scott Pellerin (NCAA)

Jason Woolley (NCAA)

Jim Cummins (NCAA)

Allain Roy (NCAA)

Dan Bylsma (NCAA)

Dallas Drake (NCAA)

Bill Guerin (NEJHL)

Greg Johnson (USHL)

1990:

Mike Dunham (Conn - Canterbury HS)

Keith Tkachuk (Mass - Malden Cath. HS)

Ian Moran (Mass - Belmont Hill HS)

Eric Lecroix (Mass - Gov. Dummer Academy)

Craig Johnson (Minn - Hill-Murray HS)

Jeff Neilsen (Minn - Grand Rapids HS)

Craig Conroy (NY - Northwood Prep)

Bryan Smolinski (NCAA)

Doug Weight (NCAA)

Chris Tamer (NCAA)

Ken Klee (NCAA)

Steve Dubinski (NCAA)

1991:

Brian Rolston (NAHL)

Mike Knuble (NAHL/NCAA)

Brian Holzinger (NAHL)

(ALL NCAA)

Scott Lachance

Aaron Ward

Sean Pronger

Dave Karpa

Steve Sheilds

David Oliver

Brian Savage

1992:

Jim Carey (Mass - Cath. Mem. HS)

Adrain Aucoin (NCAA)

Rem Murray (NCAA)

1993:

Mikhail Shtalenkov (IHL)

Brad Norton (Mass HS - Cushing Academy)

Mike Grier (Mass HS - St. Sebatian's)

Jamie Langenbrunner (Minn - Cloquet HS)

(ALL NCAA)

Paul Kariya

Jay Pandalfo

Kevyn Adams

Jamal Mayers

Todd Marchant

Hal Gill (Oklahoma - Nashoba HS)

Landon Wilson (USHL)

1994:

Chris Drury (Conn. - Fairfield Prep.)

Radek Bonk (IHL)

Matry Turco (Mass. Cambridge HS / NCAA)

Tim Thomas (NCAA)

Ryan Johnson (USHL)

John Grahame (USHL)

1995:

Peter Sykora (IHL)

1996:

Dan Lacoture - (EJHL)

Ruslan Salei (IHL)

Tom Poti (Mass HS - Cushing Academy)

(ALL NCAA)

Erik Rasmussen

Marty Reasoner

Matt Cullen

Mark Parish

Craig MacDonald

Brett Clark

Dan Hinote

Craig Adams

1997:

Sergei Samsonov (IHL)

(ALL NCAA)

Ben Clymer

Joe Corvo

Mike York

Ben Guite

Antti Laaksonen

Josh Langfeld (USHL)

Scott Clemmensen (USHL)

1998:

(ALL NCAA)

Mike Van Ryn

Steve Moore

Joe Dipenta

Erik Cole

Brian Gionta

Shawn Horcoff

Rob Scuderi

Kent Huskins

Kent Sauer (USHL)

Josh Blankburn (USHL)

Tyler Arnason (USHL)

1999:

Douglas Murray (EJHL)

Patrik Stefan (IHL)

Ryan Miller (NAHL/NCAA)

(ALL NCAA)

Jeff Jilson

David Tanabe

Mike Commodore

Jordan Leopold

Adam Hall

Andrew Hutchinson

Doug Janik

Mike Comrie

Fedor Fedorov (UHL)

Ryan Malone (USHL/NCAA)

Jeff Finger (USHL/NCAA)

2000:

Rick Dipietro (NCAA)

Dany Heatley (NCAA)

Brooks Orpik (NCAA)

Jeff Taffe (NCAA)

Brad Winchester (NCAA)

ANdy Hilbert (NCAA)

Dan Ellis (NCAA)

Greg Zanon (NCAA)

2001:

(ALL CCHA(NCAA))

Mike Komisarek

RJ Umberger

David Steckel

Mike Cammelleri

Kevin Bieska

Patrick Sharp (ECAC - U of Vermont)

Chuck Kobadew (Boston College)

Ben Eaves (Boston College)

David Moss (USHL)

2002:

ALL (CCHA)

Eric Nystrom

Jim Slater

Duncan Keith

Patrick Dwyer

Yan Stastny

Ryan Whitney (Boston Univ.)

(ALL USHL)

Matt Greene

Joey Crab

Adam Burish

Tom Gilbert

Keith Ballard (NCAA)

Matt Jones (NCAA)

2003:

Ryan Kesler (NCAA)

Corey Potter (NCAA)

Jeff Tambellini (NCAA)

Lee Stempniak (Dartmouth College)

Matt Moulson (Cornell Univ.)

Patrick Eaves (Boston College)

Jim Howard (Maine)

Ryan Suter (US National U18)

(ALL USHL)

Matt Carle

David Backes

Drew Miller

Joe Pavelski

Brian Boyle (USHSE)

Thomas Vanek (NCAA)

Zach Parise (NCAA)

Mark Stuart (NCAA)

2004:

Travis Zajac (NCAA)

Brandon Yip (NCAA)

Al Montoya (CCHA)

David Booth (CCHA)

Mat Hunwick (CCHA)

Daniel Winnick (New Hampshire)

Kevin Porter (US Nat. U18)

Alex Goligoski (USHL)

Jim McKenzie (USHL)

Corey Scneider (USHSE)

Torrey Mitchell (USHSE)

Blake Wheeler (USHSW)

Drew Stafford (North Dakota)

2005:

TJ Hensick (CCHA)

Jack Johnson (US Nat. U18)

Justin Abdelkader (USHL)

Joe Finley (USHL)

Jared Boll (USHL)

John Quick (USHSE)

Keith Yandle (USHSE)

Brian Lee (USHSW)

TJ Oshie (USHSW)

Matt Niskanen (USHSW)

Taylor Chorney (USHSW)

Paul Stastny (Denver)

2006:

Erik Johnson (US Nat. U18)

Kyle Okposo (USHL)

Trevor Lewis (USHL)

Jeff Petry (USHL)

Johnathan Toews (North Dakota)

Phil Kessel (Minnesota)

2007:

Kyle Turris (Wisconsin)

James van Riemsdyk (US Nat U18)

Kevin Shattenkirk (US Nat U18)

Ian Cole (US Nat. U18)

Max Pacioretty (USHL)

Brendan Smith (NCAA)

2008:

Justin Schultz (NCAA)

Ben Smith (Boston College)

2009:

Chris Wideman (CCHA)

Nick Leddy (Minn HS - Eden Prarie)

I stopped right there because from 2010-2012 there just hasn't been enough time to see where these kids have gone. I also realize that I may have missed some players due to the fact that I used the team they were playing for when they were drafted (ie. Abby was playing in the USHL when drafted and then played in the CCHA) so I may have completely missed some kids that were playing in Canada when drafted and then went on to play in the NCAA somewhere. I also may have just listed when the played in US Nat U18 (Ryan Suter) although he went on to play at Wisconsin...like I said I used the league they were in when drafted...

Edited January 29, 2013 by LeftWinger

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Where did you get that list at LeftWinger?

Edited January 29, 2013 by St. Michael (the Red Wing)

[nosyt612 103]

I was gonna write a CHL list, but it's just every other north american born player plus a few europeans that have played in the nhl the last 40 years or so.

[MabusIncarnate 5,359]

All opinions aside... props to the OP for creating a new thread as a new member that isn't a recycled version of 10 other active threads. I enjoyed reading through this, league perspectives like this aren't normally a point of discussion around here. I'm reasonably ignorant to hockey leagues outside of the NHL so I don't have much to contribute but I wanted to compliment the OP and got a little more educated in the process.

Edited January 29, 2013 by BlazeYoungblood

[LeftWinger 5,131]

Where did you get that list at LeftWinger?

NHL.COM just went through each draft year from 1979 and sorted by "Amateur League"

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?page=DraftSearch&position=All&round=All&service=page&sort=amateurLeague&supl=N&team=All&year=2012

[Guest Johnz96]

You're opinion is wrong lol

Scoring more has absolutely nothing to do with how good the hockey is.

I rarely ever make it to NHL games and watch mostly CCHA and OHL games. OHL > NCAA every day of the week. College hockey has indeed gotten better, but is no way better than the CHL. Trying watching a game.

NO HOCKEY FOR YOU, 5 YEAR

There is about the same amount of scoring in NCAA hockey as their is major jr. but players that switch from college to jr. have a much easier time scoring in jr. because the competition isn't as good because they are much younger in jr. Jr. players are 16-20 yrs old. College players are 19-25. Matt Gilroy was 25 when he won the Hobey a few yrs ago.

Canadians love hockey and we broadcast it much better, May be part of the reason jr. is more fun to watch than college. Canadian broadcasts of NHL games are usually much more entertaining than American broadcasts.

Edited January 29, 2013 by Johnz96

[evilmrt 636]

NHL.COM just went through each draft year from 1979 and sorted by "Amateur League"

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?page=DraftSearch&position=All&round=All&service=page&sort=amateurLeague&supl=N&team=All&year=2012

Ouch, that is rough. NCAA (by my count) only had 9 draftees last year. CHL had...I'm not even counting that. Like over 100 lol.