@used2lurk posted:The most elite (the kids I know in this example) were straight from HS to college. That is the case with the high end players.
The most elite American hockey players go straight to college. But a majority of D1 college rosters are loaded with 20yo freshman.
Boston University has been a ranked team most years for fifty years. Before Jack Parker retired he commented on the evolution of hockey recruiting. He started by recruiting as many Boston area kids as possible. Then, the number of programs moving into D1 expanded. Teams recruited on “Do you want to skate fourth line for BU or first line for us.” Parker said he had to go regional recruiting all over the northeast. As D1 hockey expanded again teams started recruiting 20yo Juniors players as freshmen. Parker was against it at first. BU fell out of the rankings. Parker changed to recruiting part elite 18yos and 20yo Juniors players. He realized as elite as an 18yo may be fast and skilled. But, it’s hard to physically compete with 20yo men in the corners.
If you look at college hockey rosters it’s the one sport that doesn’t typically list date of birth.