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Grats to Tristan! here's a link http://erstarnews.com/content/view/9316/106/

Lemme get this straight. He went undrafted in his first draft year and plays in the Western so he can't play NCAA hockey.

I could see putting an education on hold for the NHL dream if you are a first rounder, but not for this.

Good luck Tristan.

yes very unfortunate, lol - its a standard 3 yr, two way NHL contract with a six figure signing bonus

shooter57 wrote:yes very unfortunate, lol - its a standard 3 yr, two way NHL contract with a six figure signing bonus

A two-way contract is where you get NHL pay when you are in the NHL and minor league pay when you are in the ECHL and AHL, right?

A six figure signing bonus is nothing. If he isn't playing hockey, what is his earning power as an adult? I wish him well. One of the hockey guys at our rink was lamenting the fact, "I'm not qualified to do anything else!" despite a rather long professional career.

There are tons of guys running around that played a little in the NHL. If they are lucky they have a job paying six-figures as an adult. Actually it isn't luck at all...they planned accordingly.

Seven figure signing bonus and it makes sense. Six figures and I'm still keeping fingers crossed.

I'll always remember my friend that signed the one-way NHL contract and still didn't get all his money because the players went on strike. A book I just finished advocates packing "two parachutes" in case the first one - playing professional sports - doesn't open.

I understand where you are coming from, but the following is not a bad plan which will prepare them for life after hockey, which is a great concern for all.

Players go to school while playing in the WHL, with their team paying for any expenses incurred. Many older players start their post-secondary programs. When a player joins the WHL, he signs a Standard Player Agreement through which he earns financial aid for every year that he plays in the WHL. Basically, a player receives one year of tuition and books for each year he plays in the WHL. Tristan has 2yrs banked at present.

Also, Universities and Colleges in Canada utilize WHL graduates extensively. Players in the WHL earn financial aid for post-secondary education while they are playing. In addition to that assistance, players remain eligible for scholarships available at Canadian institutions. If a WHL player wishes to, he can attend university or college in Canada, continue playing hockey at a high level of competition, and utilize academic and athletic scholarships in addition to education assistance earned during his WHL career. A lucrative double dip, if the player wanted to play college hockey in Canada.

One of the hockey guys at our rink was lamenting the fact, "I'm not qualified to do anything else!" despite a rather long professional career.

maybe he should get off his butt and earn a degree,he should be able to afford it after his lengthy career!

Tristan is better off than many first rounders that have yet to be signed. Being a first rounder is no sure thing either, proven by the many draft busts of the past.

shooter57 wrote:I understand where you are coming from, but the following is not a bad plan which will prepare them for life after hockey, which is a great concern for all.

...

One of the hockey guys at our rink was lamenting the fact, "I'm not qualified to do anything else!" despite a rather long professional career.

maybe he should get off his butt and earn a degree,he should be able to afford it after his lengthy career!

Tristan is better off than many first rounders that have yet to be signed. Being a first rounder is no sure thing either, proven by the many draft busts of the past.

Thanks for your explanation of the college path in Canada. I'm not familiar with it.

One guy I know is a Canadian that bucked the Junior hockey route. He played in the NCAA, on an Olympic team, and in the NHL. He advises everyone to avoid Juniors, which the cynic would say is because his route worked for him.

As for having the money to afford college, that person in my story doesn't have much at all. The truth is most professional hockey is very low paying. Yet another person I know is an AHL player that lives with his dad in the summer and routinely needs money for things like car repairs.

"Making it" in hockey doesn't mean making it financially unless you sign a long-term NHL deal. It would be wise to earn a degree if possible and take coursework seriously. There's more than a slim chance one will need it.

Clown school is overrated just look at where you ended up

shooter57 wrote:yes very unfortunate, lol - its a standard 3 yr, two way NHL contract with a six figure signing bonus

if he got a six figure signing bonus, thats a great deal!!! Put it in the bank, don't touch it and just focus on being the best hockey player he can be

if things don't work out and he can't make a living at pro hockey, take that money in the bank and go to college.

shooter57 wrote:I understand where you are coming from, but the following is not a bad plan which will prepare them for life after hockey, which is a great concern for all.

Players go to school while playing in the WHL, with their team paying for any expenses incurred. Many older players start their post-secondary programs. When a player joins the WHL, he signs a Standard Player Agreement through which he earns financial aid for every year that he plays in the WHL. Basically, a player receives one year of tuition and books for each year he plays in the WHL. Tristan has 2yrs banked at present.

Also, Universities and Colleges in Canada utilize WHL graduates extensively. Players in the WHL earn financial aid for post-secondary education while they are playing. In addition to that assistance, players remain eligible for scholarships available at Canadian institutions. If a WHL player wishes to, he can attend university or college in Canada, continue playing hockey at a high level of competition, and utilize academic and athletic scholarships in addition to education assistance earned during his WHL career. A lucrative double dip, if the player wanted to play college hockey in Canada.

One of the hockey guys at our rink was lamenting the fact, "I'm not qualified to do anything else!" despite a rather long professional career.

maybe he should get off his butt and earn a degree,he should be able to afford it after his lengthy career!

Tristan is better off than many first rounders that have yet to be signed. Being a first rounder is no sure thing either, proven by the many draft busts of the past.

shooter57-

I think he forfits his WHL paid education rights now that he has signed a pro contract. But he can still play college hockey in Canada if things don't work out at the pro level.

Looks like to me he has a good hcokey plan and with back up educationa; options if things don't work out at the pro level.

Congrats to the kid guys he worked his butt off and is on his way. Lets see how it plays out before rip on the kid