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“Again, you have to have an environment where you are maturing and developing, not just physically but emotionally and mentally too. Being comfortable and confident.”
is perfect. You’re going to have people take advantage. NCAA schools take advantage by putting players on a ‘practice squad.’ You’re not going to travel with the team. It works both ways.”
Sometimes, said Button, not sending your child anywhere is a viable option too. Some minor midget CHL draft choices will benefit from staying home to play major midget for one season before tackling the rigours of major junior hockey, he says.
• BY THE NUMBERS: Last season, nearly 50 per cent of all players on active NHL rosters at the start of the campaign hailed from CHL franchises. The number of NHL players who had gone through NCAA programs was 33 per cent.
“It drives me crazy when I hear that so-and-so doesn’t have anything more to prove, it’s too bad that they have to go back (to AAA minor hockey),” he said. “There is always something you can learn. If you’re going from midget to play junior, keep this in mind, the next levels are very demanding and if you’re not ready, you’ll get chewed up and spit out. Be ready. Prepare yourself. You might score 50 goals — so what? Have you been a captain? Are you mature enough to handle a different role?”
• LEADERS OF THE PACK: In a story that appeared in The Hockey News in 2019, it was revealed that players from the London Knights had played in more NHL games since the 2005 lockout than any other CHL franchise. Among NCAA programs, the University of Wisconsin was No. 1.
NCAA proponents argue that the U.S. college system of fewer regular season games (34) and more practices is of greater benefit to the development of young players. Those who are pro-CHL, say playing a 68-game regular season schedule provides a much faster route to development with more competition and pressure situations. Button stops short of suggesting one system is stronger than the other in terms of individual player development, but hints that a balance between games and practices is preferable. It’s also something extremely difficult to achieve in the CHL, due to the economics of operating a major junior franchise. “You don’t get revenue from practices,” said Button. “So how do you change the longstanding economic model? When I hear the argument about the 68 games, I shoot it down. I watch games all across the continent and of those 68 games teams play, 24 are garbage.” For that, Button blames the sometimes onerous travel schedules to which CHL teams are forced to adhere. Especially 3-in-3 weekends, he says, with a team playing three road games in less than three days. “The 3-in-3, you travel six hours to get there, you’re trying to manage the risk of injuries, you’re just trying to get through that (last) game,” said Button. “Sunday afternoons, because of the weekend schedule. Some leagues have tried to reduce games, but anyone who says you’re playing 68 games, well, 24 of those games are garbage.” Again, says Button, there’s no easy answer. And each individual player, and his parents, must decide what type of balance will work best for them. “There is no perfect organization,” said Button. “Not everybody
• BOTTOM LINE: Less than 5 per cent of all players competing at the elite levels of amateur hockey — CHL or NCAA — ever crack an NHL roster.
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Now Streaming ... Craig Button TSN Head Scout discusses CHL vs NCAA opportunities as well as the development path for hockey players. Special guest Cooper Matthews of the Quinte Red Devils Minor Midget Team.
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Check out our full interview with Craig Button on our Total Sports Quinte Podcast. Available at Apple Podcasts, Heart Radio, Spotify or your favourite Podcast App! Link is also available on our website at TotalSportsQuinte.ca
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