March 5, 2021

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

A year ago, 786 Canadians in College were listed, compared to a total of 412 Canadian players on NCAA men’s Division I hockey rosters in the 2020-21 season.

For college players, draft status was always based on age as much as on a player’s graduating class. Obviously, juniors at four-year schools are eligible. If a player turned 21 within 45 days of the draft (regardless of his class), he is eligible. This year a lot of 21-year-old sophomores are eligible.

The 2020 college season was essentially wiped out, so college players return this spring with their college eligibility restored as if 2020 never happened. Juniors will still be juniors. We have not not heard of the draft eligibility rules changing in any way.

For college players, draft status was always based on age as much as on as a player’s graduating class. Obviously, if juniors are eligible. If a player turned 21 within 45 days of the draft (regardless of his class), he is eligible. This year a lot of 21-year-old sophomores are eligible.

Okotoks Dawgs grad OF Ryan Humeniuk (Stonewall, Man.) of the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks was our No. 100, former Saskatoon D-Backs 1B Nolan Machibroda (Saskatoon, Sask.) of the Lubbock Christian University Chaparrals was No. 200, Team Ontario Astros RHP Tahj Smith (Brampton, Ont.) of the Lourdes Grey Wolves was No. 300, former Ontario Blue Jays INF Kyle Taran (Mississauga, Ont.) of the Simpson University Red Hawks, Mid-Island Pirates alumn C-OF Connor Caskenette (Duncan, BC) of the Cochise College Apaches is No. 500 and former Regina Pacers’ C Reece Lysack (Regina, Sask.) of the Bismarck State College Mystic was No. 600.