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John Stampohar (Hibbing) is going to leave high school to play for Memorial Cup finalist Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. John spent the last 4 days training with the team at Minnesota Hockey Camps.

Interesting choice. Good luck, John.

In case you were wondering:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_Hat,_Alberta

http://www.tigershockey.com/

Has this move to Medicine Hat been confirmed with his family?

I was hoping to see John play in the Elite League this Fall for Team North.

In any case, good luck to John!

This is definitely a big blow to the bluejackets. He was a big part of the bluejackets program last year. Congrats to him though.

I wonder what convinced him to make this decision.

great decision

warrior2132 wrote:great decision

Not that I disagree, but why do you say that?

overrated

nikebauer_07 wrote:overrated

Can I ask you why you say that? If anything I think he was one of the most underrated kids in Section 7A last year.

I was at the GR arena the other night and a guy from Alaska was there. He lives somewhere out west(northwest Washington I think), and his grandson lives in Alaska. He summers in GR as he's from here originally, and he made a very valid point about the WHL. The style played in the league is very much like the NHL. It isn't a hatchet league as some would have you think. Many NHL draft picks are coming from this league. I was told that teams are only allowed to carry 3 - 20yr old players on their teams and the bulk of the rosters are kids that are 17-19. In that respect, they are very much like the USHL and other top junior programs. The WHL offers camps out west that are similar to the USHL Exposure camps, with one big difference : COST. The invitees to these Exposure camps do not pay a fee to be there. The invited player only provides his lodging and meals. Ice time is free. The players are invited to play in round robin tourneys to be evaluated by WHL scouts. The USHL, as I understand it, invites players to camps and "tryout" clinics at costs around $400 per visit. Who's making money and who's evaluating? Sort of makes you wonder.

Of course, he could have been just blowing smoke...
Just another point of view. Good luck to the Hibbing kid.

One other thing the guy told me, is that for every year a player under the age of 20 that plays in the WHL, receives a year's tuition to the school of their choice. Don't know if that one is true or not either, but again, makes you wonder.

formerallstar wrote:

nikebauer_07 wrote:overrated

Can I ask you why you say that? If anything I think he was one of the most underrated kids in Section 7A last year.

i just think he's not as good as everyone makes him out to be, sure he has size but he didn't have the best hands and hardly ever gave 100% every time he was on the ice it seemed.

I was at the GR arena the other night and a guy from Alaska was there. He lives somewhere out west(northwest Washington I think), and his grandson lives in Alaska. He summers in GR as he's from here originally, and he made a very valid point about the WHL. The style played in the league is very much like the NHL. It isn't a hatchet league as some would have you think. Many NHL draft picks are coming from this league. I was told that teams are only allowed to carry 3 - 20yr old players on their teams and the bulk of the rosters are kids that are 17-19. In that respect, they are very much like the USHL and other top junior programs. The WHL offers camps out west that are similar to the USHL Exposure camps, with one big difference : COST. The invitees to these Exposure camps do not pay a fee to be there. The invited player only provides his lodging and meals. Ice time is free. The players are invited to play in round robin tourneys to be evaluated by WHL scouts. The USHL, as I understand it, invites players to camps and "tryout" clinics at costs around $400 per visit. Who's making money and who's evaluating? Sort of makes you wonder.

Of course, he could have been just blowing smoke...
Just another point of view. Good luck to the Hibbing kid.

One other thing the guy told me, is that for every year a player under the age of 20 that plays in the WHL, receives a year's tuition to the school of their choice. Don't know if that one is true or not either, but again, makes you wonder.

I haven't heard about the one-year eligibility deal... But isn't it true that he will be forfeitting his NCAA playing rights. Also, he should be a payed player - or does something with his age stop that?

The reason i say great decision is because that the majority of players in the league go on to play some profesional hockey i believe its 72%. You would be playing against some players that have already signed profesional contracts. That is why if you go there you cant play college. And some people say what if you get hurt out there then you have no college education but for every year you play in the league they pay for your schooling. The only pay for that if you do not go onto play professional. You have to be between the age of 16-20 to play in the league so that offers you 4 years of schooling.

agreed. I believe it has the highest rate of players going to the show of any US based league

If this is true good luck to John I hope he is making a good decision. He has had alot of pressure to live up to others excpectations all his life. I dont understand why they would want to go to the W. If he is good enough to play there then why not good enough to play in the USHL which would leave many more options available for John. If he is good enough to go pro why not go USHL and get yourselve the option of an education. I have watched him play for many years and my observations are: big kid, very quick stick for a kid his size, needs a lot of work on skating even to get to D-1 level, doesnt play with tremendous passion which shows up in games, doesnt use his body to its potential to get or keep the puck, needs to develop more of a team game, has potential, has a good birthday as he is still a 90 birthdate. Last year for the most part he played second line and got 29 points in the regular season and banked 9 points in the playoffs. Not bad statistics but certainly not outstanding considering he played against a lot of second lines from single A teams. There is not a lot of depth on the teams he played against last year. I hope things work out but maybe he should reconsider and look at playing in the NAHL or USHL before committing to the W where he is going to lose colledge eligibility.

I feel compelled to defend John's work ethic, passion and skating ability. First of all, John left home 3/4 days after shcool let out to work/train at Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa... for the second summer. This year he wil be at camp for 11/12 weeks. John trains from 8 am till about 3 pm both on and off the ice... he then works in the pro shop untill 11pm.... on his days off he trains until 5:30 +...... Lot's of effort and passion..... which is paying off for him. One of John's coaches Doc Descastllo (new head coach at CCHA D1 Fairbanks).....offered John a scholarship to play for the Nanooks... Doc also is the one that asked Willie D. (Medicine Hat GM/Coach) to take a look at John.... knowing very well he could loose him as a recruit.

John is making his own decission to pursue hockey, he feels the W would be his best opportunity. He realizes what he is giving up and the risk he is taking. His family wanted him to stay home and play for Hibbing..... but soon realized that John made up his own.mind. long before they were involved.

John did seek info from no less than 3 NHL scouts who feel John would be ok staying in high school but could not come up with one good reason for him not to go... they had only good things to say about the league and the organization. John has never been flashy between the blue lines... (if he was he would have been in St Cloud at the National 17)... ironic.... if he was in St Clould... Medicine Hat would not have seen him at MHC.



The following is a recent week of skating test results that is posted at the camp. Average for NHL and Olympic skaters is 1.50 and 3.33.

Acceleration Speed Speed
Drew LaBlanc 1.55 Sec. 3.56 Sec

Aaron Marvin 1.57 Sec 3.55 Sec

Bryce Ravendalen 1.61 Sec. 3.47 Sec

Tristen King 1.61 Sec 3.57 Sec
(WHL) US National

John Stampohar 1.50 Sec 3.39 Sec

To date.... no USHL team or college team (other than Fairbanks) has shown John any interest. At 6'4" - 220 lbs. Medicine Hat believes (along with MHC staff) in John's potential.

Hockey2112 wrote:I feel compelled to defend John's work ethic, passion and skating ability. First of all, John left home 3/4 days after shcool let out to work/train at Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa... for the second summer. This year he wil be at camp for 11/12 weeks. John trains from 8 am till about 3 pm both on and off the ice... he then works in the pro shop untill 11pm.... on his days off he trains until 5:30 +...... Lot's of effort and passion..... which is paying off for him. One of John's coaches Doc Descastllo (new head coach at CCHA D1 Fairbanks).....offered John a scholarship to play for the Nanooks... Doc also is the one that asked Willie D. (Medicine Hat GM/Coach) to take a look at John.... knowing very well he could loose him as a recruit.

John is making his own decission to pursue hockey, he feels the W would be his best opportunity. He realizes what he is giving up and the risk he is taking. His family wanted him to stay home and play for Hibbing..... but soon realized that John made up his own.mind. long before they were involved.

John did seek info from no less than 3 NHL scouts who feel John would be ok staying in high school but could not come up with one good reason for him not to go... they had only good things to say about the league and the organization. John has never been flashy between the blue lines... (if he was he would have been in St Cloud at the National 17)... ironic.... if he was in St Clould... Medicine Hat would not have seen him at MHC.



The following is a recent week of skating test results that is posted at the camp. Average for NHL and Olympic skaters is 1.50 and 3.33.

Acceleration Speed Speed
Drew LaBlanc 1.55 Sec. 3.56 Sec

Aaron Marvin 1.57 Sec 3.55 Sec

Bryce Ravendalen 1.61 Sec. 3.47 Sec

Tristen King 1.61 Sec 3.57 Sec
(WHL) US National

John Stampohar 1.50 Sec 3.39 Sec

To date.... no USHL team or college team (other than Fairbanks) has shown John any interest. At 6'4" - 220 lbs. Medicine Hat believes (along with MHC staff) in John's potential.

I am guessing the timing was done with precision electronic timing devices........not stop watches?

Yes... the timekeeper only resets the system.... automatic eyes start and stop the clock. Testing in completed every week (on and off ice) for every player... then they are ranked for games on Saturday.

Hockey2112 wrote:Yes... the timekeeper only resets the system.... automatic eyes start and stop the clock. Testing in completed every week (on and off ice) for every player... then they are ranked for games on Saturday.

It appears that he has some wheels for a big guy. From what I am reading, I would guess he is a power forward type. I wonder if he will be asked to fight in the WHL.

Times have sure changes since John's dad played in the W... first shift.... first fight...... Last year the Tigers tough guy fought in the single digits.... Mike Sauer ..... Sartell MN... brother of Kurt for the Avalanche... 6.3 200 + fought 1 time... just signed with the rangers.... John will be expected to stand up for himself..... but if John wants to reach the next level.... its part of the game.....

Hockey2112 wrote:I feel compelled to defend John's work ethic, passion and skating ability. First of all, John left home 3/4 days after shcool let out to work/train at Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa... for the second summer. This year he wil be at camp for 11/12 weeks. John trains from 8 am till about 3 pm both on and off the ice... he then works in the pro shop untill 11pm.... on his days off he trains until 5:30 +...... Lot's of effort and passion..... which is paying off for him. One of John's coaches Doc Descastllo (new head coach at CCHA D1 Fairbanks).....offered John a scholarship to play for the Nanooks... Doc also is the one that asked Willie D. (Medicine Hat GM/Coach) to take a look at John.... knowing very well he could loose him as a recruit.

John is making his own decission to pursue hockey, he feels the W would be his best opportunity. He realizes what he is giving up and the risk he is taking. His family wanted him to stay home and play for Hibbing..... but soon realized that John made up his own.mind. long before they were involved.

John did seek info from no less than 3 NHL scouts who feel John would be ok staying in high school but could not come up with one good reason for him not to go... they had only good things to say about the league and the organization. John has never been flashy between the blue lines... (if he was he would have been in St Cloud at the National 17)... ironic.... if he was in St Clould... Medicine Hat would not have seen him at MHC

To date.... no USHL team or college team (other than Fairbanks) has shown John any interest. At 6'4" - 220 lbs. Medicine Hat believes (along with MHC staff) in John's potential.

Sounds like John S. has made his decision. I wish him continued success in the WHL. My understanding is that Major Junior teams pay for college costs for kids who ultimately do not turn pro...so there is some fall-back protection as indicated in an earlier post.

I was simply looking forward to watching John play in the Elite League for Team North, especially because he played really well at the Adv 17 Spring Festival and Final 51 (actually 54) Adv. 17 try-out - earning an Alternate spot to the National Festival as a forward.

I think the thrust of what Penalty Shot was trying convey is his earlier post... is that for a kid with John's size and skill...the opportunity to play Major Junior Hockey will more than likely be there after high school.

However, it sound like Medicine Hat is really high on him...but getting an offer from Alaska-Fairbanks at age 17 is also excellent...as a point of perspective...the Elite League starts in September and out of about 170 kids (including Stattuck and Team WI)...I can only think of 13 total players...2 from Great Plains, 2 from North, 1 from NW, 1 from NE, 3 from SW and 4 from Shattuck that are currently verbally committed to D1 schools...a while there's a bunch more who will commit by the end of the high school season...my point is John being only 17 years and already having an offer from Alaska-Fairbank...thats pretty good...so I think John does (or would) have future if he decided to go the college route. In any event, best of luck to you John!

hockey59 wrote:My understanding is that Major Junior teams pay for college costs for kids who ultimately do not turn pro...so there is some fall-back protection as indicated in an earlier post.

Yes but....

What level do they consider as "pro"? My understanding is their definition of "pro" is NOT just guys who make it to the NHL. A lot of these guys may reach the "pro" level (but not the NHL level) and therefore never get their financial aid.

Gopher Blog wrote:

hockey59 wrote:My understanding is that Major Junior teams pay for college costs for kids who ultimately do not turn pro...so there is some fall-back protection as indicated in an earlier post.

Yes but....

What level do they consider as "pro"? My understanding is their definition of "pro" is NOT just guys who make it to the NHL. A lot of these guys may reach the "pro" level (but not the NHL level) and therefore never get their financial aid.

Once a player signs a contract for money, whether it is NHL, AHL or even ECHL, the school money is off the table.

The decision a player has to make is - are they realistic about their ability or not. If they think they can play at professional level, even the lowest of the leagues, do they give up the CHL's college scholarship money or not.

This is really not any different than when a player in an American college has to decide to stay in school or accept a contract to play professionally. If a player leaves after any year other than their graduation year, that player has to believe he is good enough to make money at the game...at the expense of continuing to have his education paid for by the university he is playing for. If a NCAA player is getting a full ride or something close to that, the decision is tougher. If the player is on a 50% - 60% ride then maybe the decision is easier, as that player is paying the tuition bill (the kid or parents).

Observer85 wrote:Once a player signs a contract for money, whether it is NHL, AHL or even ECHL, the school money is off the table.

Exactly. Some people don't seem to realize that "pro" means a heck of a lot more than the NHL.... and those lower level leagues don't compensate very well.

This is really not any different than when a player in an American college has to decide to stay in school or accept a contract to play professionally. If a player leaves after any year other than their graduation year, that player has to believe he is good enough to make money at the game...at the expense of continuing to have his education paid for by the university he is playing for. If a NCAA player is getting a full ride or something close to that, the decision is tougher. If the player is on a 50% - 60% ride then maybe the decision is easier, as that player is paying the tuition bill (the kid or parents).

Most college guys who sign a pro deal before they graduate can justify leaving a year or two of scholarship behind. Let's face it, most (though not all) early college departures get a pretty hefty signing bonus which will usually be many times more than what their yearly scholarship was worth. They will automatically have their bases covered if they invest that money wisely.