As TJHN reported on May 30th (Major Junior Hockey Considers Ban On European Goaltenders) the Canadian Hockey League has announced they will move forward with that ban.
The change was announced Monday at the OHL’s “Protect the Net” symposium, a gathering designed to address the “crisis” in Canadian goaltending, specifically in Ontario.
For the 2013 CHL import draft, import goalies can be selected by any of the 60 teams only in the first round, and those goalies plus others currently playing in the league can play out their full junior eligibility.
Starting in 2014, import goalies will be banned from the draft, and will have no other way to become eligible to play Major Junior Hockey in Canada. The current limit of two imports per Major Junior team will not be changed.
While some see this as a move in the right direction to focus on developing Canadian born net-minders, many are seeing this as a reduction in the level of talent in Major Junior hockey, and perhaps a boon to leagues based in the United States.
Many in the United States are questioning why the ban does not included United States born goaltenders as well. Some within NCAA and USHL teams are now concerned that Major Junior Teams will continue to “raid our rosters” but at an increased level.
Others are saying that some of these top rated goaltenders will not go to leagues such as the USHL and NAHL, and that some of the better forwards and defensemen will follow. “European players go where there are more Europeans” said one USHL coach. “With our increased import rule of four players, this will make it easier for us to recruit over there.”
One NHL scout said “This could be the worst move the CHL has ever made.”
One CHL official speaking anonymously said “Is this an admission that we are not the best development system in the world for NHL players, or is this an admission that we have forgotten our own citezens in the development process?”
Clearly the issue will have a long lasting and deep effect on every team. The debate on the issue could last even longer.
