My Reaction

They are tired of losing players. That's what I first thought when I read the USHL was changing the Futures Draft date. USA Hockey wants to make the USHL more accessible to 16 year olds who don't make the National Team Development Program.

I generally felt the USHL was a 17-20 year old league and acted as an AHL affiliate for the NCAA teams for the older players.

Last season, the USHL had eight 16 year olds in the entire league. Half of them are playing in CHL this season. Now this season there's 11 players that are 16. That's including Seth Ambroz who's 15.

I expect this number to grow with the new date for Futures Draft. Obviously, the number will grow with the Under-17 team being in the mix now. I wouldn't be all surprised if the other twelve teams to have atleast one 1993 born player on their roster next season.

If you go by that number, hypothetically all the players that will be attending the NTDP final forty tryout camp that will be held in the few weeks could be playing in the USHL next season.

You will always have players go up North to play major junior. Maybe that number will dip a little. Other players might be home sick and decide to play one more year of midgets, high school, or play for a Tier III junior A club depending on what part of the country they are from.

While on I am on the topic of the Draft. Why has the USHL been slow on releasing the 94 American list, and the two Ontario lists? I know the lists don't ean much but I use it to keep of players to watch out for in the upcoming year.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)