Why USHL and NAHL?

[Pounder]

Obviously, I'm in the mood to stir the pot. It'll pass, but the question begs.

The USHL and NAHL are strictly amateur. Players in both leagues retain NCAA eligibility. Why are these teams on the board?

I've wondered about Canadian Major Junior before, as well. They hardly get any mention here, just the occasional poster who stops by to ask if anyone gives a darn. Mind you, these players are paid per diem, therefore the NCAA considers them professional and thus ineligible. I've seen a LOT of players whose names you'd recognize come from Portland Winter Hawks and their opponents (mentioning Portland in this vein, given recent performance, pretty much tells my age... but being hip is overrated).

[Paul S]

You know I've wondered the same thing. The NAHL and USHL are on a same level as the BCHL which is a direct feeder of talent into the WHL. The Canadian guys are all paid per-diem, housing, plus earn a year of school tuition for each year in the league. This last tuition re-imbursement has been a big cost on the books.

The thing is that there are forums who are strictly for hockey and junior hockey, even on the teams pages sometimes that are used.