BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
A GROWING NUMBER OF NHL PLAYERS ARE COMPLETING THEIR DEGREES WHILE PLAYING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
As the St. Louis Blues were advancing to the 2016 Western Conference Final, rookie defenseman Colton Parayko was facing players like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.
Then, when he left the rink, he had to contend with three online classes from the University of Alaska, where he was completing his business administration degree.
“People think I’m crazy for doing this, but I’m not crazy,” Parayko told ESPN.com. “I’ve been going to school and playing hockey for the past three years. This is nothing new for me. The way I see it, it’s be crazy not to finish my degree.”
Parayko is among a growing number of NHL stars who are completing their university degrees despite leaving school early to sign NHL contracts. His captain last season, David Backes, recently completed his Minnesota State degree. Chris Kreider graduated from Boston College last spring.
The growth in online education has made it easier than ever for players to finish their coursework. Others come back to campus in the summer and take classes while utilizing the school’s facilities to work out. Since the vast majority (73%) of former NCAA players in the NHL spent at least three years on campus, those who don’t yet have their degree typically don’t have too far to go.
Boston Bruin Torey Krug and Calgary Flame Johnny Gaudreau are two who are still working to complete their degrees. Michigan State head coach Tom Anastos jokes that he still receives summaries of Krug’s grades while the school covers all costs for the defenseman making $4 million this year.
No matter a player’s salary, though, they know hockey won’t last forever. A degree will prove invaluable in the long run, and in many cases it will fulfill a promise made when these NHLers first committed to play NCAA hockey.
“I owe it to myself to f inish what I started,” Parayko said. “But I also owe it to my coaches who took a chance on me and gave me a scholarship so I could have this opportunity, both in the NHL and to get a degree.”