MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY/ ALEC BAER/LEAVING EARLY

[fourthlinegrinder]

The main reason these kids leave is because they want to make it to the NHL by the time they are 21 years old. Stampohar, Iverson, Both Walkers, the wood kid.

Obviously some of these kids will not make it but some will.

I dont think Baer will succeed but look at Paul Bittner, He will play in the NHL as an 18 or 19 year old. He will not get there (BY THAT AGE) playing against 16 and 17 year olds. So why not go play in the best Junior league in the World???

Kids are going to continue to leave early. Some will not and they will succeed, but statistics tell us that more kids are leaving every year. Some kids want to play 4 years of HS Hockey and put up 250 points (Grant Besse) others want to start Junior Hockey early. The average prospect plays 2 years of Junior Hockey, with 4 years of college some do not want to make that six year investment to make it to Pro Hockey. some want to start early.

You all have your opinions and that is fine. But you would be surprised what the majority of scouts think about HS hockey. They are not opposed to talent leaving early to play against better competition.

With this current generation and the way things have changed I think relocating to live with a blillet family is highly benificial to a young mans maturity and development. These kids still go to HS, they are involved in the community, its a great thing for a young man.

HOW OLD IS THE AVERAGE COLLEGE HOCKEY FRESHMAN???

21, if you are good enough why not fast track it and be a 18 or 19 yr old freshman???

Ask people in the Hockey World its a small community and you should get advice from people that have made the choice and have been in those situations.