Junior A could face further upheaval if NCAA changes eligibility rules – Winnipeg Free Press

Big changes are coming in junior hockey.

Speculation about the feasibility of a prairie super league to stabilize the MJHL, the Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League and the remaining 11 members of the Alberta Minor Hockey League may be just talk now, but an even bigger change could threaten their long-term viability. same leagues.

The NCAA is closer than ever to lifting its ban on WHL, OHL and QMJHL players who are long-time minor hockey pros. If this happens, there will be a ripple effect throughout the game.

If these major-minor players are eligible, elite players who previously stayed in minor-A to maintain college eligibility may suddenly have the opportunity to play in the WHL without jeopardizing their college aspirations.

Losing top players may not be a doomsday scenario for minor A hockey.

“It's going to be interesting because some guys will decide to go to college to play at our level,” said Barry Wolf, GM and head coach of the MJHL's Swan Valley Stampers. “So now the elite guys are going junior, but that's going to push some of the other guys out of our way, so it might even be a keel.”

Mike Reagan, GM and head coach of the SJHL's Flin Flon Bombers, is wary of the NCAA's open-door policy.

“I don't know if I like it to be honest with you,” Reagan said. “I like that the players have to make a choice or have to make a choice. I don't know if this is good for the game. Because then you're going to have every kid saying, 'I'm going to the Western League, and if it doesn't work out, I'm eligible to go to the NCAA.' If they want to do something like that, I'd like you to limit it to X number of games played (for major-minor players going to the NCAA).

It is difficult to predict how this validity issue will play out.

“These are things we've talked about as coaches,” says Paul Dyke, GM and head coach of the Steinbach Pistons. “But it's very difficult to predict how it will affect us. So I think it's going to be a turning point when it happens and we're going to have to figure it out.”

After the five AJHL clubs left for the BCHL mid-season, the Prairie Super League and some form of interconnected schedule are being proposed as a way to boost the profile and help the MJHL, SJHL and AJHL at the box office.

“That would be fun to do, but where is the money going to come from?” says Wolff.

Can a small-budget franchise like Swan Valley afford the travel required for an interprovincial game?

“Probably not, but if it did, we'd find a way,” Wolff says. “If Yorkton and Melville (in Saskatchewan) aren't right there for us, we'd rather not do it. It would be a lot cheaper if those trips were instead of walking to Winnipeg.”

Comments: Ohio State's Raegan Kirk was a double winner this week – named co-Goaltender of the Month by the Hockey Commissioners Association and also snubbed as a semifinalist for NCAA Women's Goaltender of the Year.

The Ste. The Ann product posted a 4-0-0 record in January, leading the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes to wins against top-10 teams. He also had a home run against No. 2 Minnesota and another against No. 7 Minnesota Duluth. The fifth-year senior played both games against the Gophers, allowing just one goal.

Kirk is now 13-1-0 on the season with a 1.09 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.

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