Michigan Daily reports Trouba offered $200K by Kitchener
Link:
http://michigandaily.com/blog/hot-commodity-trouba-5050-between-michigan-ohl
This has the potential to be major news, as my understanding is that OHL signing bonuses (bonii?) are technically verboten. I hope the Daily has covered their bases here. If it's true, kudos to the Daily for shining some sunlight in a dark place.
Also, via Michigan Hockey Net, what happened the last time a US player (Cam Fowler) was reported to be mulling a huge signing bonus from the OHL:
It surprises me a bit that the OHL President isn't at least a little sensitive to this this issue, since he played NCAA hockey.
Every year, same thing. Max Domi redux. The fact is that the OHL will almost always get the true elite and if Red keeps recruiting that level of player, Domi, Troubadour etc. then this will keep happening.
The competition is not superior. NCAA players are older and more physically developed as opponents for an 18-year old. The advantage primarily comes earlier--the competition at age 16 is better than you will find anywhere else. Also, you get to play more games.
A players at Michigan will play in environments every bit the equal of those in the OHL (and fewer of them will be 3/4 empty tombs like Mississauga or Brampton). Further, events like the Frozen Four, UM-MSU at the Joe, and the occasional outdoor game have no equal in Canada. However, the NCAA doesn't get an "edge" here over London, Windsor, or Kitchener because those teams do have good, live fanbases.
To support your point, here are two articles that were linked to by Corey Pronman (Hockey Prospectus) discussing level of competition. The NCAA holds up quite well.
http://www.coppernblue.com/2010/7/6/1554759/on-nhl-equivalencies
OUR PETS' HEADS ARE FALLIN OFF
New plan:
1. Start Kickstarter
2. Purchase OHL franchise (what's Saginaw up to these days?)
3. Draft ALL the commits
4. ???
5. Profit (in an NCAA approved, not jeopardiizing tax status way).
I know it's probably included in Step 4, but if the Saginaw MGoBlog Spirit draft all the Michigan recruits, who do we actually get to play in the OHL? Does JimLahey have junior eligibility left?
they are getting off cheap. I am sure a degree @ UofM is double that these days depending on what kind of degree you are trying to earn. I would have offered 4 hundred K if they have that kind of money to throw down.
The United States of Hockey weighs in this morning with a pretty good take:
http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012/07/03/report-kitchener-put-in-big-money-offer-for-trouba/