Words of Wisdom to stand out HS hockey players

[HasNoMoves]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

[Goldy Gopher]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

I think college coaches encouraging future players to go play juniors carries a little more weight than your phantom source.

[Observer85]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

I think college coaches encouraging future players to go play juniors carries a little more weight than your phantom source.

It has been my experience that HasNoMoves "source" has some validity. My kid was a high profile HS player, is playing college hockey now and was an NHL draft pick a couple years ago. I remember having conversations with more than one NHL scout who told me that they were very happy he already had his D1 commitment and draft status because the Junior game most likely would not be a good experience.

And they were right.

Junior coaches are basically salesmen/businessmen who happen to coach hockey. For the most part, I believe they only are interested in one thing, putting a product on the ice that will draw fans to the arena so they (and the owners) can make money. The junior coach will take a high profile player, attempt to destroy that player's self esteem and then build up the player later. They do this because of their egos. These junior coaches want to be the one who takes credit for the player's development even if the player was already pretty darn good with to begin with. On my son's college team, I have had conversations with several of the parents who have basically said the same thing. In fact, one parent is totally convinced that his son, an A player on the NHL watch list back in the 2006 draft year, was blackballed by his Junior coach. He felt that had his son stayed in HS for his senior year, he would have been drafted. Now that kid is a sophomore in college but undrafted. In the end, it might actually work to his advantage as he will be a coveted free agent in one or two years from now.

But the goal for the Junior coach is to have a kid for more than one year. Two years minimum and 3 if the kid will stay to play.

As far as the comment by Goldy Gopher...yes college coaches have and can encourage a kid to leave to play juniors vs. finishing their HS years. Most every kid has a different scenario. Some want their recruit to come in stronger, having played more games...others can wait. Every kid is different.

[PuckRanger]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

I think college coaches encouraging future players to go play juniors carries a little more weight than your phantom source.

It has been my experience that HasNoMoves "source" has some validity. My kid was a high profile HS player, is playing college hockey now and was an NHL draft pick a couple years ago. I remember having conversations with more than one NHL scout who told me that they were very happy he already had his D1 commitment and draft status because the Junior game most likely would not be a good experience.

And they were right.

Junior coaches are basically salesmen/businessmen who happen to coach hockey. For the most part, I believe they only are interested in one thing, putting a product on the ice that will draw fans to the arena so they (and the owners) can make money. The junior coach will take a high profile player, attempt to destroy that player's self esteem and then build up the player later. They do this because of their egos. These junior coaches want to be the one who takes credit for the player's development even if the player was already pretty darn good with to begin with. On my son's college team, I have had conversations with several of the parents who have basically said the same thing. In fact, one parent is totally convinced that his son, an A player on the NHL watch list back in the 2006 draft year, was blackballed by his Junior coach. He felt that had his son stayed in HS for his senior year, he would have been drafted. Now that kid is a sophomore in college but undrafted. In the end, it might actually work to his advantage as he will be a coveted free agent in one or two years from now.

But the goal for the Junior coach is to have a kid for more than one year. Two years minimum and 3 if the kid will stay to play.

As far as the comment by Goldy Gopher...yes college coaches have and can encourage a kid to leave to play juniors vs. finishing their HS years. Most every kid has a different scenario. Some want their recruit to come in stronger, having played more games...others can wait. Every kid is different.

This has been my experience as well. I have a good idea of who this "source" is, and he is not alone. I hear more and more of this every year. People tend to forget that Junior teams are in it for money, not player development. If their team does not make money, the team ceases to exists. In this environment, the player never is - and never will be - the top priority. Juniors will always be there after high school if it is truly needed to move on to a D1 school. There is not one college coach that would turn down a talented player because he chose to play out his senior season in high school.

In fact, it is often advantageous for a player to play out his senior year at high school, then play a year of Juniors before moving on to college. This allows one more year of maturity - both physically and mentally - to take place before the player ever skates wearing a college sweater. A player skipping his senior year is mearly a "fast track" option, that in the vast majority of cases does not pay any real dividends for the player. The only benefit is that one could potentially reach the NHL one year sooner (Juniors and college will both still be there after high school), and I hope we all know the reality of the odds of that truly happening to anyone.

The bottom line is, you can never go back to high school, but you can always go to Juniors if your talented enough, and in the grand scheme of life, one year is not a long time!

[myhockey]

I totally agree with this. As much as I dislike Edina I give those kids alot of credit for staying and finishing highschool. We all know which kids they are. Your Senior year in highschool is the best year of your life. Kids need to stay in high school and enjoy it.

[HasNoMoves]

Goldy, while others give an intelligent response to my comment about Standout players, your rebuttal carries very little weight. my source is not phantom, but it's not right for me to disclose the source, for it is not my advice, but it is advice I strongly agree with and think it makes excellent sense. The poster who brings up Edina players staying and playing proves my point, so thank you, I didn't even think about that. If you are noticed and committed, why jeapordize anything?

[mngopherfan]

I disagree for the simple fact that you can not put each elite player in the same boat. Each player has a different situation. Kids like Nate Schmidt who has been playing Varsity since 8th grade for example. What does he have to gain by playing 5 years at the same level. Although he has his scholly Jrs should still be an option. How much better can a kid get playing at the same level for 5 years when he is a better player than 95% of the kids he sees on the opposing team. However i do agree with the fact that JR's is a place to get seen, and the ONLY way you should ever leave HS is if you are DOMINATING the HS level. Kids jump ship way to early in many situations (Keegan Flarhety, Mike Fink). both are great players and will end up playing in the WCHA bu they scored a combined 11 points last year. they would have been far better off putting up 60 each in HS. But like i said earlier every situation is different, all you can hope for is each kid to become the best player he can...regardless if thats in Jrs or HS.

[myhockey]

Another example is Mike Lee how many games will the Fargo force win this year???? How much fun is it to loose game after game...One day he will regret leaving early when he already has a commitment to ST.Cloud State. He is a great goalie he had a commitment why give up your senior year????? He is misssing out on so much and for what??? He had a commitment already.

[mngopherfan]

Another example is Mike Lee how many games will the Fargo force win this year???? How much fun is it to loose game after game...One day he will regret leaving early when he already has a commitment to ST.Cloud State. He is a great goalie he had a commitment why give up your senior year????? He is misssing out on so much and for what??? He had a commitment already.

Mike Lee said the reason he was leaving (very uncommon in roseau) is that he wants to be the first goalie from Roseau to play in the NHL. Playing at the HS level, where he has been arguably the best goalie in the state for the last 2 years, for another year wont improve his game as much as JR's. If college hockey was then end of the road I would understand staying but for some of these kids the NHL is a real possibility...

[myhockey]

I disagree... Minnesota highschool hockey he still could have developed and made the NHL. I hope he has fun loosing in the juniors.

[youngblood08]

Shows you how good the team in front of Lee was and how weak thier main competition was. Hill made him look pretty average.

[gomnhky]

In my opinion it is a bit shortsided to make such a general comment that NO ONE should leave HS to play Juniors, regardless of who is making this comment. As mentioned by an earlier poster, the decision and circumstances are different for every player and one can only hope that a final decision is made based on the best interests of the player and involves the player, his family, coach(es), and whomever else is integral in the process. I actually think, in some situations, it actually makes more sense to leave HS if you do have a college commitment and want to be able to transition to the next level as an impact player. To me, it is more risky and makes less sense to leave HS to play Juniors if you do NOT have a commitment as there are so many different circumstances and intangibles that can affect a player's development and playing status that it would make more sense to wait until after HS. The opportunity to play in the USHL is appealing, and especially considering only about 20% of the total USHL rostered players are from MN, it is a great opportunity; however, it is also important for players and families to recognize that it is also business, the level of competition is considerably higher than HS hockey, team's overall talent depth is greater, along with a higher level of expectations and commitment is required. There are examples of stories to support both the pros and cons of this argument and it just gets back to the individual player and his family making an educated decision that is right for that player and hopefully it works out for the best.

[The Exiled One]

Another example is Mike Lee how many games will the Fargo force win this year???? How much fun is it to loose game after game...One day he will regret leaving early when he already has a commitment to ST.Cloud State. He is a great goalie he had a commitment why give up your senior year????? He is misssing out on so much and for what??? He had a commitment already.

I'm a college hockey fan first, so I really don't have any bias for kids staying or not staying in high school. It may come as a suprise, however, that I agree with most of the opinions in this thread. But regarding Lee, if he had stayed in Roseau he wouldn't have a Gold Medal playing for Team USA right now. He wouldn't be talked about as a potential first round, first goalie taken in the 2009 draft right now. But since his situation isn't typical, let me get to what I really think from the players' perspectives...

-If you're the best of the best, the college you commit to (depending on the school) won't ask you to play a year of juniors... so don't. (see Ness, Jokinen, Gardiner)

-If you're just about the best, the college you commit to will ask you to play a year or two of juniors, but they don't care when you do it. Stay in high school, graduate, play a year of juniors, then go on to college (see Drew Olson, Joe Gleason). Or, if your priority is to NOT take a year off of schooling, leave your senior season to play in juniors, graduate, then go straight to college (see Festler, LeBlanc, Sacchetti). Really, this group of kids is often the most talked about. But the question posed to the kid here is... Which do I want more; to graduate at my own high school, or to start college right away? It's one of the most difficult decisions he'll make in his young life.

-The next group is those without college scholarships. Do you put up massive point totals in high school and try to get noticed by the colleges? Or, do you attempt to show you can skate with 20-year-olds and get noticed by MORE colleges and pro scouts? (see Thauwald, Nick Jensen) If it was my kid, he's staying in high school. He can always go on to juniors without a scholarship if he wants to make hockey his primary goal. Otherwise, I'd be happy if he had the opportunity to play D3 as a true freshman. That would make me extremely proud.

-Then finally, there's the kids who'd be on the bubble even in the NAHL. IMHO, leaving high school for juniors is ludicrous in this situation.

So, in my overall opinion, there's only on scenario in which a kid might have a good reason to leave high school for juniors, and that's based on the kids personal priorities... very little a parent can/should do there.

[Goldy Gopher]

Another example is Mike Lee how many games will the Fargo force win this year???? How much fun is it to loose game after game...One day he will regret leaving early when he already has a commitment to ST.Cloud State. He is a great goalie he had a commitment why give up your senior year????? He is misssing out on so much and for what??? He had a commitment already.

Because he's trying to get better regardless of the commitment? The commitment doesn't mean anything if he comes in and sucks.

[Pioneers_18]

Those of you who are anti-junior hockey have obviously never watched a game or are completely clueless about hockey. The USHL is a huge jump from the MSHSL. For the most past only the top 3-4 kids from a top team have a shot at the League. The competition is top notch every night even if you're playing Fargo. You can't say that about the MSHSL. Now if a kid wants to stay and enjoy his Senior I say good for him but don't vilify a kid who wants leave for Juniors to make himself a better player.

[Blue&Gold]

I come from the side of seeing success with a player leaving his senior year to play in the USHL. This example played varsity as an 8th grader, and by the time he was a sophomore there weren't many challenges left in the A level of hockey that his team played. Watching the frustration of not being able to play hard for most of the games he played in as he was either in the box, or coasting against the weak competition started to get old, for him and everyone else. Being a defenseman, it's hard to put up stellar points (although he was 2nd in the state for D, but who looks at that, for his soph and junior years, oh and led his team in points as well) to grab attention. He went to the USHL, had two great seasons, including an All-Star stint his second season, while even going home and graduating with his class at his home school.

Today this young man is playing a D1 program on a full-ride scholarship. Without leaving early, I'm not sure that this is where he would be today.

HOWEVER - I agree whole-heartedly that this is a personal decision that has many cons as well as pros. I know of the situations where it didn't end so well. The bottom line, using an absolute is wrong. It just depends..... that's the only absolute.

[the bigbooya]

just a little bit of a reality check here........for the 2007- 2008 year, the total number of Minnesota kids that continued on either directly from high school (for which there are very, very few) or juniors to play college hockey (both Division I and Division II/III) was approximately 350 kids covering a six year span ....which equates to less then 60 kids a year......in the entire state..... that actually move on to play college hockey after high school....even then lots of these kids end up sitting on the bench or get cut after the 1st season or two.........my reccommendation is, if you are fortunate enough to be a member of your high school team this year...... enjoy it, take it all in, savor it

[juniorhockey]

The reason I think it benefits the player to stay is that it makes it more difficult for the NHL to evaluate your talent. If Aaron Ness was in the USHL last year his flaws would stand out more, much like they do in college for him this year. Since the league is better it is also easier to evaluate talent.

Every NHL scout would love to see all the best draft eligible players from across the world compete in the same league. There job would become much easier. Obviously this isnt going to happen. Instead they try to watch the best players when they play against each other; Elite League, best HS matchups, State Tournament, Select Festivals, etc.

Lets be honest, Minnesota players don`t exactly compete against non-Minnesotan players very often (compared to other states).

So in summary, I can see why a NHL scout would recommend it best for a player to stay. But it isnt for the reason many on here would like to believe it is.

[scoreboard33]

The reason I think it benefits the player to stay is that it makes it more difficult for the NHL to evaluate your talent. If Aaron Ness was in the USHL last year his flaws would stand out more, much like they do in college for him this year. Since the league is better it is also easier to evaluate talent.

Every NHL scout would love to see all the best draft eligible players from across the world compete in the same league. There job would become much easier. Obviously this isnt going to happen. Instead they try to watch the best players when they play against each other; Elite League, best HS matchups, State Tournament, Select Festivals, etc.

Lets be honest, Minnesota players don`t exactly compete against non-Minnesotan players very often (compared to other states).

So in summary, I can see why a NHL scout would recommend it best for a player to stay. But it isnt for the reason many on here would like to believe it is.

I actually think Neww has been playing pretty well this year and by the end of the year, he will prove how good he is. He was taken 40th overall, I think, and that was in no way an over draft. This year it seems like he gets victimized for his mistakes more than Fairchild, Fischer or Lofquist.

[DannyCalifornia]

A lot of good opinions here. Each family has to make a decision when and if the time comes. If you're good enough to play USHL, then I say go. The exposure and competition are great. Again, the kid and family need to weigh it and see if in their eyes its worth skipping your high school years for. Unfortunately a lot of young men are not getting sound advice. I believe that fact remains that the majority(--don't know the percentage--) of those kids go on to play D1 college hockey. But if you are good they wil find you anywhere. If a NAHL team comes calling, I say look at the staff and situation you will be playing in very closely. I KNOW their are some good staffs in the NAHL(and bad ones)and the competition/exposure has been getting better every year, but if they want you, you can play pre and post for them. Now lately I have heard that local mnjhl (their still junior B in my book)teams are recruiting kids to come pay 4500-5000 to play for them. Skip your senior season to play in what is basically a older junior gold league? C'mon. These teams are all about the $$, all the time, and what better way then to recruit young kids that still have high school elgibility, that you know probably don't have a chance to play in USHL-NAHL, fill them with a load of b.s. and have them for 2-3 years. Thats $$ in the bank for them. I wouldn't recommend that for ANYONE. Stay in school on this one and play at end of year, it's a lot cheaper.

[2nd string]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

Thank you some one finally says it like I have been thinking all along. These kids leaving early to play with kids two to three years older that them. If you thing about that age difference from 17-18 to the ages of 21-22, it us a huge difference, from a boy being a man. The phisical aspect of things. It is not doing a young man any good. Another way to look at is a bubble player making a youth team and sitting the bench on the A team when he could be on a B team and playing regular shifts and on power plays. It just doesn't make sense. The commitment is there why go and chance an injury or just playing bad for a coach that does not give on (#R%# about the player, Stay with your team, there is a reason that they put the age on things. If you are going to make it you will make it, despite what that junior coach try's to sell you.

[Blue&Gold]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

Thank you some one finally says it like I have been thinking all along. These kids leaving early to play with kids two to three years older that them. If you thing about that age difference from 17-18 to the ages of 21-22, it us a huge difference, from a boy being a man. The phisical aspect of things. It is not doing a young man any good. Another way to look at is a bubble player making a youth team and sitting the bench on the A team when he could be on a B team and playing regular shifts and on power plays. It just doesn't make sense. The commitment is there why go and chance an injury or just playing bad for a coach that does not give on (#R%# about the player, Stay with your team, there is a reason that they put the age on things. If you are going to make it you will make it, despite what that junior coach try's to sell you.

Your absolute doesn't stand up for everyone. It's an individual situation and should be taken as such. For some it's the right move, for some it's not. Simple as that. I can give evidence for both sides. You think you know, but a different situation can throw your knowledge right out the window.

[2nd string]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

Thank you some one finally says it like I have been thinking all along. These kids leaving early to play with kids two to three years older that them. If you thing about that age difference from 17-18 to the ages of 21-22, it us a huge difference, from a boy being a man. The phisical aspect of things. It is not doing a young man any good. Another way to look at is a bubble player making a youth team and sitting the bench on the A team when he could be on a B team and playing regular shifts and on power plays. It just doesn't make sense. The commitment is there why go and chance an injury or just playing bad for a coach that does not give on (#R%# about the player, Stay with your team, there is a reason that they put the age on things. If you are going to make it you will make it, despite what that junior coach try's to sell you.

Your absolute doesn't stand up for everyone. It's an individual situation and should be taken as such. For some it's the right move, for some it's not. Simple as that. I can give evidence for both sides. You think you know, but a different situation can throw your knowledge right out the window.[/quote

I just don't think any one should be aloud to leave early, It is a matter of alot of factors. I think it should be stopped and not even let it be an option. I think there should be age requirements on each end from Juniors and the MSHSL. I am not going to get into an argument. this is just my opinion

[Blue&Gold]

Thank you some one finally says it like I have been thinking all along. These kids leaving early to play with kids two to three years older that them. If you thing about that age difference from 17-18 to the ages of 21-22, it us a huge difference, from a boy being a man. The phisical aspect of things. It is not doing a young man any good. Another way to look at is a bubble player making a youth team and sitting the bench on the A team when he could be on a B team and playing regular shifts and on power plays. It just doesn't make sense. The commitment is there why go and chance an injury or just playing bad for a coach that does not give on (#R%# about the player, Stay with your team, there is a reason that they put the age on things. If you are going to make it you will make it, despite what that junior coach try's to sell you.

Your absolute doesn't stand up for everyone. It's an individual situation and should be taken as such. For some it's the right move, for some it's not. Simple as that. I can give evidence for both sides. You think you know, but a different situation can throw your knowledge right out the window.[/quote

I just don't think any one should be aloud to leave early, It is a matter of alot of factors. I think it should be stopped and not even let it be an option. I think there should be age requirements on each end from Juniors and the MSHSL. I am not going to get into an argument. this is just my opinion

And it was a great situation for my son and worked out for the best. I have lived it and can tell you about why it is a good thing. Oh, and there are age requirments. And I really have to question how we can make someone stay in anything. It's a high school sport and if they don't have to participate, then why do they have to stay if they don't want to. I don't mean to argue either, but I think that you are not looking beyond one or two situations.

Enjoy the season that is upon us...

[norcon]

a prominent MN hockey legend and NHL scout told me last spring when we were discussing kids leaving HS and playing juniors instead, that the WORST thing a stand out hockey player can do is leave high school early to play juniors if you have ALL READY committed to a Division 1 program. Players should play juniors that need to get noticed still. If you are on the radar of college and NHL teams, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT leave HS to play juniors, it CANNOT help your chances, it will only hurt you and is something more players than not that have left early have come to regret later, when its too late of course. I did not play juniors, nor was I a highschool standout, but this comes from and undisclosed source whom I will not name due to the nature of his job.

I think college coaches encouraging future players to go play juniors carries a little more weight than your phantom source.

It has been my experience that HasNoMoves "source" has some validity. My kid was a high profile HS player, is playing college hockey now and was an NHL draft pick a couple years ago. I remember having conversations with more than one NHL scout who told me that they were very happy he already had his D1 commitment and draft status because the Junior game most likely would not be a good experience.

And they were right.

Junior coaches are basically salesmen/businessmen who happen to coach hockey. For the most part, I believe they only are interested in one thing, putting a product on the ice that will draw fans to the arena so they (and the owners) can make money. The junior coach will take a high profile player, attempt to destroy that player's self esteem and then build up the player later. They do this because of their egos. These junior coaches want to be the one who takes credit for the player's development even if the player was already pretty darn good with to begin with. On my son's college team, I have had conversations with several of the parents who have basically said the same thing. In fact, one parent is totally convinced that his son, an A player on the NHL watch list back in the 2006 draft year, was blackballed by his Junior coach. He felt that had his son stayed in HS for his senior year, he would have been drafted. Now that kid is a sophomore in college but undrafted. In the end, it might actually work to his advantage as he will be a coveted free agent in one or two years from now.

But the goal for the Junior coach is to have a kid for more than one year. Two years minimum and 3 if the kid will stay to play.

As far as the comment by Goldy Gopher...yes college coaches have and can encourage a kid to leave to play juniors vs. finishing their HS years. Most every kid has a different scenario. Some want their recruit to come in stronger, having played more games...others can wait. Every kid is different.

Sounds like sour grapes here. Your son must not have been pampered the way you wanted or the way he was used to. The USHL is stockpiled with very good players and coaches are generally going to treat them all alike. I totally agree that if a young man has that D1 scholarship locked up, he should stay and finish his high school career playing with his buddies. Regardless, you can't tell me that all is bad with playing juniors. These teams are run like any other business and they need to make money, but that's not what it's all about. The majority of the coaches take a lot of pride in developing players and helping them attain their goal of someday playing college hockey. If it wasn't for junior hockey you'd see quite a drop-off in the number of American players getting free rides, meaning there'd be far more Canadiens and Europeans taking up roster spots. Most players coming out of high school are just not far enough along in their development or physical maturity to play college.