[StlBluesfan4ever]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=432044

MONTREAL -- There were a number of high-school standouts in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters for the 2009 Entry Draft.

Since the 2003 draft, 113 high school players have been tabbed by NHL teams. In 2008 15 (7.1 percent) of all North Americans drafted were high schoolers. This year, a record 19 were selected (11.1 percent), including Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School defenseman Nick Leddy, the top scholastic skater chosen, who went No. 16 to the Minnesota Wild.

"There's a little pressure (being selected as the hometown guy), but I guess you can always rise to it," Leddy said. "That's the kind of player I am. In pressure games, I always seem to play big."

[VICE™]

High schoolers are growing in popularity because you can draft them in later rounds.

They won't be as developed as other players, but they could also have a lot of raw talent and potential. Not to mention they would be going to College teams in a year or two where their development jumps by leaps and strides.

[DonCherries]

I think that there is a reason behind all of the high schoolers and that it is bad for the game. The reason is that for some reason hockey is a sport that youth can succeed. A lot of young players in the NHL have been able to succeed from the get go. And in hockey the teams can help develop players once they draft them. And being able to hold onto their rights for so long allows teams to draft youth. it's bad for the game because fans watching the draft don't always get to see their picks immediately unlike the NFL and NBA where the draft is one of the most popular events of the year.

[Dangle]

Originally Posted by FAHQALL

High schoolers are growing in popularity because you can draft them in later rounds.

They won't be as developed as other players, but they could also have a lot of raw talent and potential. Not to mention they would be going to College teams in a year or two where their development jumps by leaps and strides.

there were some that got drafted in 2nd round

[VICE™]

Originally Posted by DonCherries

I think that there is a reason behind all of the high schoolers and that it is bad for the game. The reason is that for some reason hockey is a sport that youth can succeed. A lot of young players in the NHL have been able to succeed from the get go. And in hockey the teams can help develop players once they draft them. And being able to hold onto their rights for so long allows teams to draft youth. it's bad for the game because fans watching the draft don't always get to see their picks immediately unlike the NFL and NBA where the draft is one of the most popular events of the year.

Most of the time, outside of the first round, you don't get to see the picks immediately in the NHL no matter where you pick from. Even inside the first round the players don't make it right to the NHL.

Those that succeed in the NHL from the get go are usually what? Top 5 draft choices? Saying that drafting high schoolers is bad for the game is silly.