The QMJHL, NCAA and the Long Game

Choice is Controversial?

What route should they take? NCAA or QMJHL? What’s the best route for them? NCAA or QMJHL? Over the years we have all heard and witnessed some amazing stories coming out of both brands of hockey. Those in the hockey world have also heard some not so good stories. Each brand is susceptible to their own fair share of issues. Usually, the common thread for each brand potentially revolves around broken promises, miscommunication and the lack of transparency and honesty.

Obviously, the other controversial topic when it comes to the game of hockey and player development is choice. Just let that sink in for a minute. Choice is controversial? How the hell can that be controversial?

It’s clear in the game of hockey when families make choices about the direction or path they decide to take that others will ultimately ridicule them. In the hockey world people tend to hold grudges, gossip and criticize other people’s decisions. In the hockey world when people make decisions about what they think is best for their son or daughter some people get really upset and resentful.

NCAA and the QMJHL

Whether it be the NCAA or QMJHL, there is a choice to make and that choice is extremely difficult. Again, it all comes back to the family’s choice. Not what I think or what others think, it’s up to the family, it’s their decision, it’s their choice. It’s clear why some people get extremely upset with other people’s decisions, but let’s be brutally honest it’s not yours to make.

Is the NCAA the best option for player development? Why do some families spend significant capital to send their child away to attend school and play hockey or go searching for lucrative scholarships?

The great debate between the NCAA and QMJHL rages on and it always intensifies throughout the hockey season especially heading closer and closer to draft day. Why is choice so controversial in the game of hockey? You see the NCAA make promises about the future. The QMJHL make promises about the present and future. In the game of hockey promises are extremely difficult to make and keep. All the parents and agents want is what’s best for the kid. You could say the same about any hockey organization.

Some people will look at the stats, the hard facts to base their decisions or make their choices while others will try to talk to as many people as they can that have experienced both sides of the fence so to speak.

Advisors and agents are always heavily involved in the decisions being made and in many cases, they could become the tipping point. At the end of the day, it’s always a family decision or it should be. Everyone has the right to make their decision or choice when it comes to the game of hockey, whether everyone likes it or not. There’s a massive plan of action that occurs when the family and player decide to go south and pursue the NCAA route.

There’s a massive commitment if they chose to go the Q route as well. Every hockey family have their reasons for the decision they make. Just like every player has their own unique path in the game. Why do some people in the hockey world have to be so critical and vocal when it comes to other hockey families’ decisions? There are tons of misconceptions about both routes that many people are unaware of. Those people dealing with the situation or that are making the decisions on what route to take feel a pressure like no other.

“The QMJHL route is instant, while the NCAA is a drawn-out process which is difficult to navigate.” That’s some of the BS you could potentially hear around the rinks.

It’s not uncommon to hear all the slander and misinformation when it comes to both routes. That’s why the decision-making process is so pressure packed and unbelievably stressful for so many people. At 16 years old, players are forced to decide about their future, forced to decide what avenue to take in a game they love and would do just about anything to accomplish their dreams in it. Is that fair? The NCAA route allows players to grow, while the QMJHL route might close doors earlier. Again, if you have been around the game you have probably heard them all.

“Multiple sources are reporting a number of highly touted (enter year here) QMJHL Draft prospects are electing to take the NCAA rather than the Q.” You hear that phrase tons of times throughout the year as well. Arguably one of the most controversial aspects of all of this is the back-channel overtures that take place. That’s why there is an undercurrent of resentment and mistrust from both sides. In the past, players and their families have been coached up or informed to tell some QMJHL franchises that they are “considering their options.”

In some instances, “considering their options” essentially means I want to pick and choose where I want to go and play in the QMJHL. Countless QMJHL teams have been burned by that which has led to a lot of teams coming right out with,

“Will you play exhibition games”?

Not “will you report” anymore, “will you play exhibition games” is no doubt the most commonly asked question during the predraft interview process and rightfully so. QMJHL organizations want to have honest and up-front dialogue. They want to know, and you can fully understand why, they don’t want to be caught or left in the dark.

The decision-making aspect of things doesn’t have to be controversial, it’s the historical aspect or horror stories of the past that make some in the hockey world very leery of the entire process. Just be honest, honesty in any process is the best policy.

What advice would you give a player wanting to A) Go the QMJHL route or B) Play the “Long Game” and go the school route?

Obviously, that would depend on who the player is and how good they are, on and off the ice and of course in the classroom? How serious is their chance to go to school? Those two questions are massively important to consider. There are some hockey parents and players that believe they have options, but they don’t really understand those options and that’s where even more confusion might set in.

Both those in favour of the NCAA or QMJHL will always have their differing points of view or perspectives and let’s face it both sides have their benefits and draw backs. Could you imagine being in that situation with your family or son or daughter? That’s what all these critics and naysayers have to do when they ruthlessly criticize and rip kids and their families on social media when they try to make the best decision for their future.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone is entitled to their decision. Everyone is entitled to change their mind. Nevertheless, it’s when those lines are blurred and or manipulated by others for personal gain, that’s when people get burned.

As we all know the game of hockey is big business and when it comes to the CHL or the NCAA, jobs and livelihoods are on the line. Business is business. I’m sure both sides have hidden behind the business side of the game when they make decisions. As we all know the business side of the game is sometimes off side.

Wouldn’t it be great if EVERYONE within the game used an element of transparency and honesty when discussing their intentions.

I guess some things never change, just like the debate between the NCAA and QMJHL and what route is the best to take. The debate rages on, let’s just hope people understand and learn how to respect others’ decisions before outwardly ripping them.

The “Long Game”

What would you do? You fell through the draft in your draft year, you’re having a hell of season at the U18 AAA level and teams are now potentially interested in drafting you at 17? What would you do? This isn’t Dennis Hopper in “Speed”, but the decision-making process is no doubt just as terrifying for hockey families and player to make. Why not play the “long game”?

If the kid has improved that much in that time, could you imagine what trajectory they could be on in another 6 months? What about in two years? You see that’s where the “long game” might be the best route to take. Is the kid a great student? Have they looked at that route? Do they know their options?

Are they good enough to play NCAA hockey? What division of NCAA would they want to play or would be capable of playing? What are their options locally from a Junior A perspective? Do they have an agent? Are they looking to move away from home to play Junior elsewhere?

Again, there’s more questions than answers at this point, but clearly some people are in a rush to try to control the entire process. If you’re going to play the “long game” you better know your options. If a QMJHL team drafts the kid and that kid has had their mind set or dream to play in the QMJHL from the get go it’s hard to deviate from that path.

What would you do at 17 drafted and invited to camp, but unsigned by the QMJHL team? Would you play an exhibition game? What if that Q team started forcing their hand and trying to pressure the kid into making a decision and wanted to see them in an exhibition game? Would you burn your eligibility for one exhibition game?

Would you throw all of the other options away, for that one game or moment in time? You see that’s where hockey parents, players and agents/advisors have to take a stand, but they also have to be brutally honest and up front just like the QMJHL team personnel.

The writing is on the wall…… or is it? People are in such a rush that’s where mistakes get made. That’s where regrets set in only after decisions get made, that’s where the “long game” might be the best route to take.

This region is notoriously known for being “QMJHL centric.” It is what it is and to each their own, but where does the dream of playing in the Q, take a back seat to reevaluating that dream on the fly?

Why not play Junior A locally, hang on to their eligibility, continue to develop, have conversations with people that have experienced the school route and then make a decision based on that process?  Again, it doesn’t have to be Div 1. If you’re getting school paid for and get to play high level hockey into your early 20’s what’s wrong with that?

Some would also argue that the QMJHL is a school route as well, the Q does do an amazing job with providing scholarships to their players based on their time within the league, but that’s where the players have to also consider their options and it goes back to “Well are they good enough”?

Well, they might not be good enough right now to crack a Q roster and be an impact player for three seasons so why not wait that out and play the long game?

Here’s where the predraft interviews or any discussion with QMJHL teams come into effect. Agents, parents and players have to be proactive and most importantly upfront and honest. They should ask these questions during the interview process.

Where do you see me fitting within your organization? What aspects of my game would you like me to work on or what areas do you think I need to improve on? What role would you like to see me in next year or two to three years down the road?

The “long game” might be the best route to take for some players.

One can only imagine the pressure these players and families must be feeling right now, but having options is a great thing possible especially after the disappointment of following through the draft. Why rush, bet on yourself, get informed and perhaps play the long game, it might be the best game they ever played!