Question about drafted college hockey players

[popeyoung5]

I am in southern Cal. and the gophers are on FCS live almost every game. Awesome talent. They mentioned 17 of these players were drafted by the NHL in high school. Can they leave the gophers and play in the NHL at anytime? Thanks.. Go Gophers!

[CrocShots]

Yes, they can leave whenever they wish. Usually the NHL club dictates to them if they need more development in college, would be better on their AHL team, or would be better on the pro club.

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Usually they make a decision about whether the player should be playing AHL or college hockey at the start of the season and stick to it. I would be very surprised if any players left midseason (though Okposo did leave to play for Bridgeport in the Islanders' system over winter break one year). If someone really impresses their NHL club, they are more likely to call them up after the college season ends (the pro season goes longer) than to pull them midseason.

[popeyoung5]

Thanks for the education. I am flying in for the North Dakota game. "CAN'T WAIT"