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CHL Draft Survives Court Challenge: What Parents Need to Know Now
Plus: Observations and insights on hockey recruiting services.
Welcome to All Access Hockey.
A court just killed the lawsuit trying to end the CHL draft system, but this story's far from over.
Here's what we'll cover in less than 5 minutes:
Why the lawsuit failed (and what it means)
The real story behind recruiting services
Let's dive in!
The CHL Draft Lives On
A huge lawsuit just tried to blow up major junior hockey. It failed, but there's a fascinating story here.
The Goal: Kill the CHL Draft
Two former players wanted to end the junior draft system. Their dream? Make it like college hockey - players choose teams, transfer freely, no draft required.
Why It Failed
The judge basically said: "Wrong court, wrong players."
The lawsuit was filed in New York, but:
No CHL teams are in New York
The players weren't from New York
They never played in New York
It's like trying to sue McDonald's in France when you've never been to France or eaten French McDonald's. The court wasn't buying it.
The Bigger Picture
This wasn't just about drafts. It was about player rights in junior hockey. The NCAA model is appealing - choose your school, transfer freely, maintain leverage.
But dismantling a 50+ year system needs more than a lawsuit in the wrong state. The CHL won this round by basically saying "you can't touch us here."
What's Next?
This won't be the last attempt to change junior hockey's draft system. But future challengers will need stronger jurisdiction and better arguments.
For now, the CHL draft system rolls on. And somewhere, a 15-year-old kid is excited and anxiously waiting to see which team picks him.
The Real Deal on Recruiting Services: What Hockey Parents Need to Know
When I talk to hockey parents, one question keeps popping up: "Are recruiting services worth it?"
Let's cut through the noise and talk about what these services actually do (and whether you should care).
Think of recruiting services like a GPS for your hockey journey. They claim to know the shortcuts, the traffic jams to avoid, and the best routes to your destination. But like any GPS, some are better than others.
Here's what they're selling:
Expert guidance (they know the landscape)
Network access (they know people)
Time savings (they do the work)
Exposure (they get eyes on your player)
But here's what parents really need to know:
The Good:
These services can open doors. They handle the grunt work - from video editing to coach connections. For busy families, that's valuable time saved.
The Not-So-Good:
It's expensive. Like, "maybe we should skip this year's family vacation" expensive. And success isn't guaranteed.
The Truth:
Your kid still needs to be good enough. A recruiting service can get coaches to watch, but they can't make coaches like what they see.
Before You Write That Check:
What's their track record? (Get specific names and placements)
How do they measure success? (Offers? Commitments? Just exposure?)
What exactly are you paying for? (Get it in writing)
How customized is their approach? (Cookie-cutter doesn't cut it)
Here's what smart families do:
They use recruiting services as a tool, not a solution. They understand that these services complement good hockey - they don't replace it.
Bottom Line:
Recruiting services can help. But they're like expensive hockey skates - they might give you an edge, but they won't teach you how to skate.
Make sure your player is ready for the spotlight before paying someone to shine it on them.
(Because in hockey, like in life, there are no shortcuts to the top.)
Mike
P.S. Got a burning question? Hit reply to this email with "Question:" and yours might be featured next week! We read every single one.
That’s all for now! Hope you enjoyed it.
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