Ontario Hockey League Lowers Age Floor to 15

The Ontario Hockey League, which is one of the three major junior leagues that comprise the Canadian Hockey League, has decided to lower the age floor for its entry draft from 16 to 15. Specifically, the rule allows "exceptional" 15-year olds to participate, with "exceptional" being a euphemism for "draftable." The impetus behind this decision appears more economical than philosophical: it is speculated that highly-regarded 14-year old John Tavares of Toronto was headed for the rival United States Hockey League (which does not have an age floor) unless the OHL changed its rule. Tavares will now be the number one pick in the 2005 OHL Draft. (Cressman, "OHL Opens Door to Top 15-year olds," London Free Press, 5/5/2005; Bender, "Exceptional Player Ruling Dismays Young Londoner," London Free Press 5/6/2005).

It is interesting how the presence of a rival league induced the OHL to lower its age floor in order to meet the labor market, whereas the unrivaled NBA and NFL seek higher age floors, even though phenomenal talent and production exists beneath those floors.

Related posts:
Mike: Gary Roberts on Impact of Clarett v. NFL and NBA Draft Issues
Greg: More on Age Limits in Professional Sports
Greg: Tales of Woe, Gore and Age Limits
Mike: Damaging Goods: The NFL Age Floor and Frank Gore
Greg: Clarett and Williams Drafted--Legal Case Revisited
Mike: Jermaine O'Neal: Racism Motivating Efforts to Ban Teenagers

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