The is the second season I will be breaking down the NAHL draft. The fist season break down can be found here 2014 NAHL Draft Break Down
Last year we received a few emails asking why I chose to do this break down. The answer is rather simple. I hope to educate players and parents on where to play to increase their likelihood of being drafted into the NAHL if that is their goal.
There is a “myth” that the NA3HL or the NAPHL is a direct path to the NAHL. You can judge by the numbers if that’s the case for yourself.
21 players were taken from other Canadian Junior A leagues, nearly 10% of the total draft.
20 USHL players were drafted. Just under 10% of the total NAHL draft came through players that were protected in the USHL.
1 player was drafted from the AAU sanctioned WSHL.
2 players were taken from the NA3HL.
135 players taken from high end AAA, Prep and High School programs. That is the vast majority of players taken. Of those, the majority of players taken came from the Tier 1 Elite Midget AAA, and High Performance Midget AAA leagues. Only a few came from the NAPHL, or had NAPHL ties going further back in their resume’s.
It is no coincidence that the Tier 1 Elite League and HPHL also lead in the number of players drafted in the USHL ever year. Which translates to the most NCAA commitments and NHL players.
Now I understand that the NAHL talks about all of the “tendered” players from the NA3HL and NAPHL.
Parents need to realize that the NAHL teams are required to “tender” a player from the NA3HL and from the NAPHL. That does not mean anything more than those players can not enter the NAHL draft. It does not guarantee a roster spot or anything other than an invitation to camp.
The NAPHL is becoming a better AAA league, it has progressed over the last few years and is well run, but it is not the recruiting ground most used by the NAHL or the USHL.
While I enjoy the draft every year, I feel it is disingenuous to call it an entry draft. It is clearly not an entry draft, when USHL players and other veteran Junior players are eligible. The NAHL could take a lesson from the USHL and do a Phase One and Phase Two draft. One for rookies one for those with Junior experience.
My opinion appears to be shared by players and parents based upon the feedback we get at TJHN. According to many, NAHL Pre Draft Camp numbers were down this year simply because players and parents did not believe it was true opportunity.
While these are my opinions, I understand some may have differing ones. This is good to create a discussion based on facts. I welcome that discussion, and I welcome your fact based comments and emails.
Joe Hughes
