How is it that NHL players are drafted by the pros and then can play college afterwards?

Question

I thought once you're drafted into the pros, you can't play college. I know its like that in the NBA, NFL.

Answer 1

There is an agreement in place between the NHL, the NHLPA, and the NCAA which allows players who have been drafted to play in the NCAA so long as they have not signed a professional contract.

Once a drafted player (like Kyle Turris) has attended a day of classes, he is ineligible to sign an NHL contract until his school term ends (or he drops out).

Once he signs a professional contract, he loses the right to play NCAA hockey............his scholarship however to attend school is still intact.

Of the four major team sports, hockey has the highest graduation rate among NCAA schools (all divisions)

Answer 2

This became till now the draft, yet stuntman Evil Knievel performed minor professional hockey for various years yet never made it to the NHL. Going lower back some years, former NHL goaltenders Gerry Cheevers of the Orr-Esposito era Bruins and Doug Favelle, Bernie discern's backup with the Flyers, have been intense-scoring lacrosse gamers Going 'formerly, Lionel Conacher became an NHL all famous person and gained 2 Stanley Cups, became a Canadian easy-heavyweight boxing champion, performed semi-professional baseball, and performed professional soccer for the Toronto Argonauts in Canada, the group that kicked off Doug Flutie's profession.

Answer 3

You can't play NCAA college sports of any kind if you agree to a contract. Getting drafted is beyond your control (supposedly, even though you must sign up for the draft).

Answer 4

Many kids play college hockey in the States after they're drafted - they just cannot sign a contract which will then make them ineligible by NCAA rules.

If these kids come thru the Major Junior Hockey ranks (OHL/WHL/QMJHL) they too cannot play in any American University since the NCAA deem them a "professional" league as well - which btw is B.S. IMO.

Answer 5

Well if you don't sign a contract, you can still play in college, but once you sign, your no longer a NCAA player.

Answer 6

Not sure, but I would guess that it's because you're not getting paid until you actually play for the team that drafted you. Must be different rules for different sports.