It doesn't reduce their talent level, I was just pointing out that the only reason there is any reputable talent in the USHL is because they get guys looking to play NCAA hockey for the short period of time before they can play in a real league.
Gordie Howe may love the USHL, but he wouldn't even begin to argue its on par with the CHL. And if those players going to the NCAA could play in the CHL before going to college, close to 100% of them would because the level of play in the CHL is light years ahead of the USHL.
The CHL is the top development league in the world, followed closely by the NCAA, then you'd have a bunch of European junior leagues and then the USHL.
Who is the best player in the NHL who played all his development years in the USHL?
Oh, Hmmmm..... Phil Housley, Gary Suter, Erik Cole, Ryan Malone, Rostislav Klesa, Patrick Sharp, Tim Jackman, Tom Gilbert, Matt Greene, Keith Ballard, Joe Pavelski, Drew Miller, David Backes, Matt Carle, Tomas Vanek, Alex Goligoski, Jared Boll, Abdelkader, Paul Stastny, TJ Oshie, Jeff Petry, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Okposo, Craig Smith, Jared Tinordi....just to name a few legit NHLr's....and I left out a lot other that are playing in the NHL right now as well....but these are some of the big names...
I know you said ALL his development years, but it has already been established that the USHL is a stepping to stone to most likely a NCAA career before the NHL...but some of those I listed also moved to the CHL as well before the NHL...
Edited by LeftWinger, 01 May 2013 - 09:44 PM.