Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

The Victoria Royals bold draft gamble on Eli McKamey just paid off big time. This situation raises so many interesting questions about the future of Canadian junior hockey. Is this a sign of things to come with more top prospects choosing the NCAA route, then returning to the CHL via unique circumstances like this? How much did the Penticton Vees WHL expansion influence McKamey's decision, or was the Royals' persistence the key factor?

This also has me thinking, could we see more WHL teams targeting players committed to the BCHL, knowing there's a chance they could land them later on? It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy.

What do you think this means for the balance of power in the WHL? Will this move make the Royals instant contenders? And what about the new Penticton WHL team losing out on their former star? I predict this will spark a new era of recruiting battles between the WHL and the NCAA. Let the games begin. Your thoughts?