Alumni in the pros 25-26

[Trotsky]

I think players leave early due to the risk of injury.  The extra year of development is not worth the risk that on any shift it can all be taken away.

[stereax]

I think players leave early due to the risk of injury.  The extra year of development is not worth the risk that on any shift it can all be taken away.

I mean, wasn't there that one junior a few years back who fucked himself up bad enough (I think in practice) that he quit the team because he wouldn't be able to play again?

[BlueSky]

I think players leave early due to the risk of injury.  The extra year of development is not worth the risk that on any shift it can all be taken away.

In reality, there are so few actual spots in the League. Sam M is crushing it, as is Morgan B....not many! Now that the NCAA is a complete crap show, maybe Dalton could return...it sounds so stupid to type it, but it's the new reality!

[The Rancor]

The skill level just to suit up as a pro is so insanely high, and the difference between NHL and ECHL is closer than you think. Having been on the ice with an ECHL/3 v 3 league pro (and all star) who had a stint in the AHL, I can assure you these are elite level super-humans. Would he have been 3 inches taller...

[dag14]

I know at least one player who left because his family needed money sooner rather than later. Yes, he may have had a better/longer pro career if he had stayed another year, but as others have noted, there are no guarantees. He did return to school when he finished playing.

My point is that those of us in the peanut gallery are not usually well enough informed to second guess these decisions. 

[ugarte]

The odds of making the NHL for all but the top prospects is so small. If you are a longshot, and I'd say Bancroft was a quality college forward but an NHL longshot, I doubt the extra year in college  provides enough development to overcome the signing bonus and injury risk. If you want a signing bonus that covers more than bus fare to training camp you better sign before you're out of eligibility.

[BearLover]

The odds of making the NHL for all but the top prospects is so small. If you are a longshot, and I'd say Bancroft was a quality college forward but an NHL longshot, I doubt the extra year in college  provides enough development to overcome the signing bonus and injury risk. If you want a signing bonus that covers more than bus fare to training camp you better sign before you're out of eligibility.

Why would the signing bonus be materially less after your senior year

[andyw2100]

The odds of making the NHL for all but the top prospects is so small. If you are a longshot, and I'd say Bancroft was a quality college forward but an NHL longshot, I doubt the extra year in college  provides enough development to overcome the signing bonus and injury risk. If you want a signing bonus that covers more than bus fare to training camp you better sign before you're out of eligibility.

Why would the signing bonus be materially less after your senior year

I'm not at all knowledgeable about this area, but I'll take a shot at answering.

I'm guessing the signing bonus, which is an added incentive to get someone to give up college hockey and, at least for the time-being, college too, may not be necessary once those things are completed and thus are no longer things that need to be given up.

[ugarte]

The odds of making the NHL for all but the top prospects is so small. If you are a longshot, and I'd say Bancroft was a quality college forward but an NHL longshot, I doubt the extra year in college  provides enough development to overcome the signing bonus and injury risk. If you want a signing bonus that covers more than bus fare to training camp you better sign before you're out of eligibility.

Why would the signing bonus be materially less after your senior year

I'm not at all knowledgeable about this area, but I'll take a shot at answering.

I'm guessing the signing bonus, which is an added incentive to get someone to give up college hockey and, at least for the time-being, college too, may not be necessary once those things are completed and thus are no longer things that need to be given up.

exactly. you have leverage if you can go back to college. people out of college eligibility can threaten to take a real estate licensing exam.

if you want evidence, take a look at the signing bonuses of college seniors in the MLB draft.

[BearLover]

The odds of making the NHL for all but the top prospects is so small. If you are a longshot, and I'd say Bancroft was a quality college forward but an NHL longshot, I doubt the extra year in college  provides enough development to overcome the signing bonus and injury risk. If you want a signing bonus that covers more than bus fare to training camp you better sign before you're out of eligibility.

Why would the signing bonus be materially less after your senior year

I'm not at all knowledgeable about this area, but I'll take a shot at answering.

I'm guessing the signing bonus, which is an added incentive to get someone to give up college hockey and, at least for the time-being, college too, may not be necessary once those things are completed and thus are no longer things that need to be given up.

exactly. you have leverage if you can go back to college. people out of college eligibility can threaten to take a real estate licensing exam.

if you want evidence, take a look at the signing bonuses of college seniors in the MLB draft.

But the bonuses are mostly to outbid other NHL teams, not to sway the player away from returning by to college. It's Bruins versus Rangers, not Bruins versus Cornell. That dynamic doesn't change when the player becomes a senior. Bancroft's signing bonus was under 100K, btw, and that was with multiple NHL teams bidding for him.

[ugarte]

if you want evidence, take a look at the signing bonuses of college seniors in the MLB draft.

But the bonuses are mostly to outbid other NHL teams, not to sway the player away from returning by to college.

Citation needed. This is true for college seniors but not for anyone with eligibility remaining. It'll be even less true with NIL opportunities available.

Diego Pavia, to give an example, is worth much more to Vanderbilt than he will be to whoever takes him in the 6th round. 

[BearLover]

if you want evidence, take a look at the signing bonuses of college seniors in the MLB draft.

But the bonuses are mostly to outbid other NHL teams, not to sway the player away from returning by to college.

Citation needed. This is true for college seniors but not for anyone with eligibility remaining. It'll be even less true with NIL opportunities available.

Diego Pavia, to give an example, is worth much more to Vanderbilt than he will be to whoever takes him in the 6th round. 

I only have anecdotal evidence, but for example Travis Mitchell (senior) got a bigger signing bonus than Bancroft despite having less NHL potential. (Actually it was the same per year amount but he got that bonus each of the two years he signed for, whereas Bancroft signed only for one year.)

I don't think NCAA football is a helpful comparison for many reasons.

[stereax]

if you want evidence, take a look at the signing bonuses of college seniors in the MLB draft.

But the bonuses are mostly to outbid other NHL teams, not to sway the player away from returning by to college.

Citation needed. This is true for college seniors but not for anyone with eligibility remaining. It'll be even less true with NIL opportunities available.

Diego Pavia, to give an example, is worth much more to Vanderbilt than he will be to whoever takes him in the 6th round. 

It's a bit of both.

Signing bonuses are limited to 10% of an ELC, if I'm not mistaken. Y'all keep forgetting that ELCs are HIGHLY regulated and regular. (Usually, you're going to see handshake deals, under-the-table stuff as well, though.)

But also, a team like last year's Bruins looked like you'd be able to get a chance at the NHL roster sooner rather than later. (Or sometimes, teams will just guarantee it if you're that good.) That's usually a strong factor. Compare, for example, Collin Graf (yuck) and the Sharks.

[ugarte]

... Diego Pavia, to give an example, is worth much more to Vanderbilt...

I don't think NCAA football is a helpful comparison for many reasons.

Ben Robertson might disagree that you discount the impact of NIL on college hockey. I just don't pay enough attention to non-Cornell college hockey to have relevant examples. 

I only have anecdotal evidence, but for example Travis Mitchell (senior) got a bigger signing bonus than Bancroft despite having less NHL potential. ...

The Travis Mitchell who had a cup of coffee with the Islanders? I think maybe the pro scouts evaluated their relative potential differently than you did.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

if you want evidence, take a look at the signing bonuses of college seniors in the MLB draft.

But the bonuses are mostly to outbid other NHL teams, not to sway the player away from returning by to college.

Citation needed. This is true for college seniors but not for anyone with eligibility remaining. It'll be even less true with NIL opportunities available.

Diego Pavia, to give an example, is worth much more to Vanderbilt than he will be to whoever takes him in the 6th round. 

I only have anecdotal evidence, but for example Travis Mitchell (senior) got a bigger signing bonus than Bancroft despite having less NHL potential. (Actually it was the same per year amount but he got that bonus each of the two years he signed for, whereas Bancroft signed only for one year.)

I don't think NCAA football is a helpful comparison for many reasons.

Speaking of Mitchell, I got to see him play last night.  He didn't hit the scoreboard, but played competently.  I think he only played at even strength, not on special teams.  Bridgeport smacked the Phantoms around, but it was still fun being at the game.