College Hockey, Inc. Responds To Western Hockey League

College Hockey, Inc. has responded to a statement from Western Hockey League Commissioner, Ron Robinson.

Robinson was upset with a message posted on the College Hockey, Inc. website that warned young players of the consequences of signing with a WHL team.

Here is the entire statement via College Hockey, Inc:

Late last week, Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League in Canada, held a press conference in which he leveled criticism at Paul Kelly. Specifically, Mr. Robison criticized a message that appeared on the College Hockey, Inc. website (www.collegehockeyinc.com) in which young players were warned that if they signed a contract agreeing to play for a WHL team in the future, that they would be considered “professionals” in the eyes of the NCAA and would forfeit any opportunity they might have to receive a college scholarship or play NCAA college hockey. In the web message, kids that were recently drafted by WHL teams (at age 14) were informed about the NCAA rule and advised to “not close any doors that may be open” to them at this point in their young careers – especially since they cannot play for the WHL team that drafted them for at least another 18 months.

Mr. Robison made the following remarks: “I don’t believe any … hockey association or authority … should restrict the movement of a player and his desire to play in the best development league in the world.” He went on to say that “we are disappointed in Mr. Kelly’s approach to the Canadian Hockey League. We are more concerned about the information being provided to families that, quite frankly, is not accurate whatsoever.”

Everything in the web message to young players is factually accurate. The same is true of the information being communicated by College Hockey, Inc. to young players in the United States and Canada. There are many benefits to playing NCAA college hockey, both in terms of obtaining an education and a foundation for life, and developing as a player and athlete with a proven and available path to the National Hockey League. College Hockey, Inc. is in the business of educating players and their families so that they fully understand the options and life choices ahead of them.

Contrary to Mr. Robison’s view, it is not College Hockey, Inc. that is attempting to restrict player movement. Drafting kids at age of 14, and then seeking to have them sign contracts forecloses options for these young players. These actions by the WHL are restrictive, and families of drafted players need to understand the consequences of signing contracts, playing games or attending try-out camps hosted by WHL teams.
Paul Kelly offered the following in response to Mr. Robison’s comments: “I believe in players’ rights and providing relevant information to young players and their families so that they may make informed decisions about their future. I don’t think it is healthy for our sport, or the families involved, that we are drafting players at such a young age and then asking them to take actions that will impact the rest of their lives. Unless and until we adopt a more sensible approach to recruiting, all of us involved in the sport bear a responsibility to educate young players in a respectful way and insure that they understand all options and career paths that are open to them. That is what College Hockey, Inc. has done and will continue to do. I certainly hope that the Canadian Hockey League shares this view.”