CALGARY, Alberta – Another outstanding season sees more than 2,030 CJHL alumni pursuing their academic and hockey careers at colleges and universities across North America(% of all players at that level in parenthesis):
· 594 in NCAA Division I (37%)
· 595 in NCAA Division III (29%)
· 849 in Canadian universities and colleges (67%)
“Each year the CJHL and its leagues develop and graduate hundreds of elite-level student-athletes who go on to pursue their hockey and academic dreams at universities and colleges all over North America,” said CJHL President and Chairman Kirk Lamb. “There is no denying that the development model within our leagues is clearly working for players and their families, largely because we allow players time to make fully-informed and confident hockey and education decisions without sacrificing athletic or academic development along the way..”
Over 849 former CJHL players spent the 2014-2015 season competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), Alberta Colleges Athletic Association (ACAC) and BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL). This number represents more than 67% of all players playing university and college hockey in Canada.
On the other side of the border, 594 former CJHL players are competing in NCAA Division I this season. These CJHL alumni represent 37% of all NCAA Division I players. In NCAA Division III, another 595 CJHL alumni can be found on NCAA Division III rosters (29% of all NCAA Division III players).
“Playing in the CJHL was an incredible experience,” said Michigan Wolverine Zach Hyman. “The CJHL and OJHL prepared me for the NCAA and laid the foundation for my future pro career. Being selected as the CJHL Player of the Year is something I will always cherish.”
In 2014, 17 CJHL alumni competed in the NCAA Championship Game, 14 of which became National Champions as members of Union College. In total, 34 CJHL alumni were on the rosters of the four NCAA teams that competed at the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four.