Great article on the advantages of taking the NCAA Hockey route

A big thanks to Grizzlies Owner/Business Manager Reza Binab for passing on this article regarding Junior players taking the NCAA route and then to the professional ranks.

Good insight and a good read.

Education/ Why College Hockey

College hockey offers players the unique opportunity to pursue a professional hockey career at the highest levels while earning a college degree from some of the world's most prestigious institutions of higher learning.

More than 85 percent of college hockey players grauate with a college degree, setting themselves up for success after their hockey career. Each year Division I hockey programs award more than $30 million in scholarships, unquestionably the most significant education program in the sport.

"Best of both worlds. Ivy was not a prerequisite, but it seemed to make the most sense in terms of those two worlds (education and hockey). My family stressed being well-rounded (and) that included a passion for hockey and sports and our upbringing about school." - Dominic Moore, Harvard/Tampa Bay Lightning.

"What you learn off the ice is very valuable as far as developing you as a person. It helps you deal with adult life, and when you get to the NHL that's what this is, a adult life." - Michael Cammalleri, Michigan/Montreal Canadians

"My family did a lot of work researching; education was always a big thing in our family. At the time the whole process was a bit overwhelming, but I couldn't have made a better decision." - Brendan Morrison, Michigan/Calgary Flames

College hockey is played primarily on weekends to maximize class and study time, allowing student-athletes to enjoy a full college experience while becoming part of the campus community.

Every U.S. college boasts thousands of alumni in every professional field: business, law, engineering, government, medicine, sports and entertainment. Alumni networks, combined with a degree, put graduates in an ideal position to transition into their post-hockey careers.

Even for those players who reach the highest level, very few play in the NHL past their mid-30s. That leaves decades of life ahead - and college hockey prepares its athletes for both the NHL and what lies beyond.

Brendan Morrison:  BCHL  TO  NCAA  TO  NHL

NHL Opportunities

College hockey is a proven route to the NHL, and the influence of the college game is only growing. In fact, a hockey player taking the college hockey route to the NHL is just as likely to be selected in the NHL Draft as a player in Canadian major junior.

In 2010-11, 30% of all NHL players were former college hockey players. That number represented a jump of 34% from 10 years earlier.

Zach Parise, Chris Drury and Tim Thomas are just three of the elite NHLers who played college hockey. Thirteen former college players took part in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game and the top players at each position in the 2010 Olympic Games - Jonathan Toews, Brian Rafalski and Ryan Miller - were all former college players.

The growth in college players at the NHL level shows no signs of slowing. Since the end of the 2010-11 college season, 41 players have already signed NHL contracts. The Central Scouting Service lists 94 current or future NHLers in its final rankings for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Quite simply, there is ample evidence to show that playing college hockey is a proven path to the NHL.

"I definitely matured my two years there. It was definitely the best two years I could have spent in college. I met a lot of great people there and with a great coaching staff, it was phenomenal. I give all that credit to them to making me a better player." - Chris Higgins, Yale/Vancouver Canucks

294 Former college players in the NHL in 2010-11, 30% of the league and up 34% from 10 years earlier

"For me, college hockey was obviously the best step I could have taken to get to the next level." - Jonathan Toews, North Dakota/Chicago Blackhawks

"It's a reflection of college hockey in general being so much stronger and Ivy teams being a part of that. The quality of players has gotten better and the powers that be are not afraid to give these players a chance. We have 11 college guys on our team right now; 10 years ago you'd never see that happen." - Dominic Moore, Harvard/Tampa Bay Lightning.