I do not follow Hockey - so help me a little - how does that work? So they are drafted in the 10th round by the Bruins. They go to college for 4 years and at the end they just have to report in "spring training" for work with Boston and don't get drafted? Hockey is a bit odd. All players who will be 18 years old on or before September 15 and not older than 20 years old before December 31 of the draft year are eligible for selection for that year's NHL Entry Draft. In addition, non-North American players over the age of 20 are eligible. However, if a player doesnt sign a contract he can re-enter the draft. However, once they are over 20 they are no longer able to be drafted and can only become free agents. This basically makes it so most high school kids/young adults sign a contract with the team that drafts them. Then that team holds the rights to the player throughout their college career. If after one year of playing college hockey that player decides to turn pro, he does and goes right to that team. It is interesting to see some players playing in the NCAA tournament and then join their pro team for the end of the season/playoffs. Many players are drafted when they are playing 'juniors'. This is basically a league before heading to college. Then they go to college and once the college season is over they can join the big club or get sent to the minors. EDIT:I am pretty sure my numbers are correct, I didn't look them up recently and have only talked with a friend of mine who wasn't drafted and is basically in the free agent aspect of it.