A: That it’s already having an effect. There are established OHL players, like Kitchener goalie Jackson Parsons, committing to U.S. colleges and talents like Hayden Reid (Flint) and Blake Montgomery (London) deciding to try major junior because they know they don’t have to worry about losing their NCAA eligibility anymore. It has also put more power in the player’s hands, which is great. If they don’t like their current situation in the OHL, they can say, “You have a week to trade me somewhere else or I’m going to the NCAA.” Love it.
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Q: How do you foresee this impacting the average OHL team: Will they lose depth, with third-liners leaving for the NCAA?
A: No, I don’t think so. Because if you’re a third-liner in the OHL, you’re going to be that — or worse — with a U.S. college team while playing way less games. The only reason I think players will leave is if they are disgruntled and disillusioned with the junior hockey experience or they want the NIL money. It’s not going to be for better opportunity. If you’re 17 and playing behind an NHL first-rounder in, say, Guelph, you at least have to believe by 18-19, you’ll be getting bigger minutes. If you’re in that situation and joining an NCAA team with significantly older players, you may have to be even more patient for premium ice time.
Q: Brantford and Sudbury are both planning to build new rinks: Which rink is your favourite to visit in the OHL loop?
A: Erie Insurance Arena. Because for years, I got to go early and listen to old owner/GM Sherry Bassin’s stories. I also like that the Detroit Tigers AA farm team’s field is basically connected to the arena to the point where a home run to left field can basically bounce off the rink walls. I remember when I covered the OHL final there in 2015, I met a bunch of Tigers coaches, including Hall of Famer Alan Trammell, near the field. They had not heard of Connor McDavid and I told them they had to find a way to get inside to see him play. They wouldn’t regret it. I’m not right about a lot of stuff, but I was right about that. And also, Erie has a good Chipotle. So that helps, too.
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Q: OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford says he wants a team back in Toronto: Can that ever work?
A: I never like to say never in sports, but it’s never going to work there anymore. There are too many sports entertainment options in the ‘Six’ and a team in Toronto wouldn’t just be second fiddle. It might not even qualify for a seat in the orchestra. I think one of the reasons junior hockey is such a success is because it’s largely in markets where it is the only game in town. It becomes part of the fabric of the community. Toronto had some success with the old Marlboros, but it’s just been beating heads against walls for the past several decades. You’re only starting an OHL team in Toronto if it’s your passion and you have so much money, it doesn’t matter how much you lose with the team.
Q: A lot of OHL divisional standings look surprisingly close: Is it just early, or is there parity in the league?
A: Nah, it’ll all get sorted out in due time. After the world juniors, the top teams will beef up at the trade deadline and there will only be 4-5 clubs that can win it all. We’ve seen some teams over-achieve (like Kitchener and Niagara) and under-achieve (Peterborough and Brantford) and that’s making things a little more interesting right now. I would say it looks like the Eastern Conference is, as a whole, stronger than the West this season, which doesn’t happen too often. There is that feeling right now that any team can win, but that’s going to fall by the wayside by January and the heavyweights will rule the standings.
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