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).