From Exceptional Status To The ECHL - The Sean Day Story

On March 21st 2013, defenceman Sean Day became just the fourth player in Canadian Hockey League history to be granted exceptional status in order to play in the Ontario Hockey League at 15 years old. 7 years later, Day had spent his past two seasons primarily in the ECHL and had just seen his Entry-Level contract with the New York Rangers terminated.
So how did Day go from exceptional status to the ECHL? Watch to find out!
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[@NRSagerOOLF]

Former junior hockey reporter who covered the OHL during Sean Day's days in the league. Some of the facts about Sean Day's time in the OHL here are incorrect and the conclusions drawn are off base, although you have the gist of it correct, that he was overhyped. The sneaking suspicion at the time he entered the OHL was that Hockey Canada signed off on his exceptional status because he was a dual citizen whom they were afraid would play internationally for Team USA. (Under IIHF rules, if you play for a country at the world U20, that's who you play for in the world championship and Olympics. Jamie Oleksiak, now of the Dallas Stars, is another dual Canadian-American citizen whom Hockey Canada might have included on a U20 roster to have him for the future.) I am not being a negative guy here; I think the most positive thing you can do for strangers on the internet is be honest. 1) Day did not "decide to stick around the OHL for a few more seasons" after he was drafted by the New York Rangers in 2016. The CHL/NHL agreement states an 18- or 19-year-old player drafted from an OHL team must be returned to major junior hockey if he does not make the NHL roster. 2A) The context for Day's moves within the OHL (Mississauga to Windsor in fall 2016, Windsor to Kingston on 1 Jan 2018 is off base. Junior hockey teams for the most part have a four-year 'cycle' of building up to contend for the league title and Memorial Cup and a teardown to start anew. In Day's case, his move from Mississauga to Windsor was pretty standard: he was an 18-year-old who had taken a tumble down the draft board and it is commonplace to see those players ask for a move to a contending team. In his case, he joined Windsor which was the Memorial Cup host team (the Memorial Cup consists of three league champions and a host franchise which is named 2 years ahead of time). 2B) So the following season, 2017-18, Windsor was a down-cycle team (they finished with a .515 points pct.) and Kingston was in an up cycle (.596 points pct. and an advancement to the third round of playoffs for the first time in 25 years). As a 19-year-old with a good chance of turning pro - NOT a 20-year-old overage as stated - Day was a prime candidate to be moved as a rental. In other words, the move was not related to attitude. Anyway, great video.. I really think the conveyor belt that is the CHL failed Day.

[@TylrVncnt]

Great comment and clarification thank you!

[@evman1094]

I didnt know it was international stuff that led HC to approve his exceptional status. I had always heard they were worried he was going to leave for the USHL and go the NCAA route if he didn't get exceptional status. Learn something new every day

[@pennsylvanianrrfoamer]

Here are some idea to pitch to you: - Slovakia's 82-0 win over Bulgaria during the 2010 Women's Olympic hockey qualification - Scott Foster emergency backup goalie gets to play a portion of an NHL game - David Ayers emergency goalie stuns hockey world by playing most of an NHL game - Armenia's team permanently disqualified from the IIHF - Lokomotiv Yaraslav plane crash - Great Britain's gold medal win over Canada in Olympic hockey - Ben Johnson's story of how his dream of making the NHL was ruined by rape charges - Miracle on Ice - Rise and Relocation of the Minnesota North Stars - NY Islanders move to Brooklyn's non-hockey venue

[@stryfe604]

You're only partially right about Day. His biggest flaw was that when he was 13 he was massive compared to the rest of his peers. He was bullying them and that's what got him attention. He had a rough tool box but relied heavily on the fact he was a lot bigger than everyone he was playing with. Once he got to the OHL he wasn't the big kid anymore. He couldn't adapt and it took awhile for him to figure out a complete new style where he wasn't able to bully people on the ice.

[@jacoblaurain8911]

I don’t disagree with you. But having watched this guy growing up, his skating was absolutely elite from a young age. It seemed natural and flawless for him to carry the puck coast to coast and try to make a play. Even as a 13-14 year old playing with 16-17 year olds, he dominated in this area.

[@tomjanssen1912]

Jacob Laurain I’ve seen a lot of younger highly skilled players at younger ages drop off the map being around high level hockey...if you can’t make consistent plays and have some hockey sense, you’re pretty much cooked. Hockey sense means a lot. I like what this guy said. You can’t push development too fast. Too bad for this kid.

[@KyranGaming95]

Day didn't make it because he has a brain the size of a walnut.

[@frankscarpaci4561]

Ivan your 100% correct, I coached Sean from age 8 -14 at little caesars, he was a massive talent but his maturity held him back and that's why I alway tried to keep him at his own age group. The hockey griner got to him and his parents, they bought into the hype and the rest is history.

[@asherwilliam5389]

i know it's quite off topic but does anybody know a good place to watch newly released series online?

[@therealmcromano319]

Considering Tampa’s record with developing lower end talent (Johnson, Gourde) this is a great chance for Sean Day to pull off the greatest redemption story in NHL history. However, I believe this is his final chance.

[@sainlovesluppi487]

Rangers: We are terminating Day's contract with the team Everybody: ..... Lightning: WHAAAAAAT!?! THERE IS A FORMER RANGERS PLAYER OUT THERE WHO CARES IF HIS CRAP SIGN HIM QUICKLY!

[@jamespfluger5405]

It do really be like that tho

[@kevensoucy9354]

If he develops.. Thats a steal for even trying

[@tjmmjt857]

Keven Soucy man as a rangers fan i was hype af to draft him but getting to see him play in the AHL was so disappointing. Hartford Wolfpack had a dismal defense during his tenure until this past season and he did absolutely nothing to improve his play and earn a spot

[@kevensoucy9354]

@@tjmmjt857 Syracuse is known to develop player..

[@keelingt531]

Da how it be bro

[@TheMightyOdin]

He still made more money before he was 20 than I will in my lifetime.

[@RobTalksHockey]

Love this direction dude. Keep it up!

[@OddManRush]

Didn't realise you watched my videos Rob! Keep up the KZbin grind bud, you're honestly killing it!

[@mr.fire8566]

Hi rob

[@robertlamb5138]

I remember watching Sean Day here in Windsor and he did have a positive impact on the Spitfires and I hope that he has success in Tampa Bay. Its a good point that as fans we expect too much of these kids at such an early age.

[@hockeyrulez87]

Hopefully he finds his game with the Lightning organization

[@Ozymondias99]

He made more money then most of us doing what he loved. Cant complain about that.

[@dickkaye198]

From what I can gather, he has been making $70K per year. That is standard for regular AHL players. He got some bonuses. But Cap Friendly says he has made $418K in four pro seasons, or $105K per year. So not far off from what regular people make, though pretty good for a guy in his twenties. The big money would come if he made the NHL, where the minimum if $600K+ per year.

[@adamknuese9929]

Another stellar video!

[@saint0wen]

This just in: Defensemen don't score as many points as forwards. Hard to believe, I know.

[@tjmmjt857]

For everyone below commenting on how defenseman aren’t based on point totals you have to realize Day’s best aspect of his game was offense. Even in juniors his defensive skills were very questionable

[@ethanburns8209]

Sean day looks like the bad guy from hello neighbor

[@trevorfoster4340]

I remember watching him in Mississauga. I was billit family with the team. He was entertaining to watch but he didn’t throw his body around very much and he came back after the Christmas break overweight bc of what happened. I wish him all the best and hope he makes the NHL one day

[@jaredsmith1829]

I liked Sean Day, sad to see that he didn’t have that IT factor or any motivation. Also hoping he renew his hockey career with the Tampa Bay Lightning!

[@Andyanddiana467]

Day and Luke Green were beasts in EA’s NHL legacy, lol. I used to purposefully tank to draft them cause they were so good.

[@111highgh]

Get a girlfriend.

[@Andyanddiana467]

@@111highgh Huh? I'm married with a kid, but okay...

[@rocktheworldlove]

My brother and I both played him at some point growing up (right between our birth years) and the kid was just hyped up for his size. It was always "he has so much potential" while his 6'4 ass gets burned in the D-zone by guys who wouldn't even get drafted. Oh, but he had a good slapshot. Give him exceptional status lmao

[@USAF-mt1tu]

I'm from Maine. I watched this kid. He has potential he just needs time

[@rogerszmodis]

He’s a spare forward at best at the NHL level. But, if anyone thought that was going to happen he would be in the AHL. But he’s a 0.3 ppg minus player even at that level.

[@USAF-mt1tu]

@@rogerszmodiswould you say the same as Quick? Tim Thomas?

[@rogerszmodis]

USAF1998 what do you mean?

[@USAF-mt1tu]

@@rogerszmodis both got their start in the ECHL

[@rogerszmodis]

USAF1998 goalies are weird and sometimes they don’t mature until their mid 20s. A 22 year old defenceman who isn’t making progress though? I’ve seen weirder things happen in game, but that would be a surprise. He still has time but he has to dominate the E next season to have a shot IMO.

[@nicolasrenaud-millet9688]

In 2021-22 he have 2 match in the nhl the kid have grow up 💪

[@kosmicwizard]

You make some good points, I agree that he should have played AAA for one more year, and Hartford / NYR should have left him in the ECHL to finish out the year that he was an all star.

[@ECESW]

The reason why Day was traded to Frontenacs was due to Spits not likely making playoffs (which they did with a barely .500 record) and it was his last year of OHL eligebility. Spits received picks in return that would help the team in the future.

[@KrisVic91]

Hey, I'm just starting to get into Ice-hockey, more or less because of your videoes. Is there any reason that hockey fans don't like the newest hockey games? Nhl 2019, 2020? Don't think I've saw them on your channel so was just wondering. Cheers Kris.

[@laffytaffyking4490]

If you are new to them they are good games but if you have been playing for the last 10+ years you're kind of upset over the lack of effort they put into upgrading the games

[@isaiahcarlen2831]

Basically why people are upset is because EA copy and pasted the new gane in and add no new modes or features. The be a pro is wayyyy worse than every other sports game with no story, no world junior or gm connected game modes and lack of effort put into revamping the game modes they keep

[@KrisVic91]

@@isaiahcarlen2831 ahhh ok so just like fifa then? I ordered Nhl2k9 😊.

[@HomeboyRoj]

@@KrisVic91 Basically the same as Fifa yeah. The AI also makes atrocious mistakes every single game. Part of that can probably be chalked up to hockey AI being damn hard to get right, but you can't look past stuff like there not being separate coding for stuff like 3v3 overtimes or how the AI constantly manages to handle the puck with their backhand. All that said, I still have fun playing NHL games, and I think you will too. It's just that we want more from EA, but you know all about that if you're a Fifa player. Welcome to the world of hockey btw! :)

[@KrisVic91]

@@HomeboyRoj ahhh I'm bored of fifa and football tbh. Excited to get my nhl2k9 in the post! Ever played the nhl2k games? And haha thanks bro.

[@danvesche4156]

I did see him play at compuware. He played with many great players. However his size skating skills were incredible. He was legit. At the time.

[@mitchellcraven4469]

The Alexandre Daigle story would be great too

[@done1675]

Or the Pavel Brendl story.

[@JaredtheRabbit]

Or the Patrik Stefan story.

[@AEMoreira81]

@@JaredtheRabbit -- Stefan at least played 455 NHL games. He may have been damaged goods before he was drafted. Brendl is the true bust of that 1999 draft.

[@Ozymondias99]

Or the Manon Rheume story

[@WolfpackJT]

Played against him in roller hockey when he was like 15. Big, hard shot but overall I thought he was over hyped.

[@GoalHornGuy]

I met Sean day once

[@kuxuh1176]

Finally Made his debut

[@waynehough13]

can’t see him making it in the NHL now but hope he can have a decent career somewhere. was worth a risk for the Rangers taking him, could have turned out to be a steal but just didn’t work out

[@AEMoreira81]

How often is an entry-level contract bought out? With K'Andre Miller likely on the team at some point in 2020-1, Nils Lundkvist, Matthew Robertson, and Zac Jones in the pipeline, and an already young defense (Tony DeAngelo is 24, and Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren are 21, with Libor Hajek, also 21, started in the NHL before being sent down in January, spending the rest of the season in Hartford), Sean Day had no room in New York.

[@tjmmjt857]

And then they signed K’Andre Miller was signed so you are spot on

[@JRKIXASS]

Plus lots of draft picks, more guys to sign every year. You move up or move out.

[@dewey9499]

I watched Day a lot when he was 15 years old because he played against my cousin on Oakville and I personally believe he didn’t deserve exceptional status at all. He didn’t stand out at all, his skating was impressive but he didn’t jump out at you the way the other exceptional players did that I saw like Ekblad and McDavid.

[@wst8340]

Oakville🇨🇦

[@chrisslaunwhite685]

He’s still no Alexandre Daigle or Patrik Stefan. Defenceman are tough too and he’s plenty young enough to rebound so I wouldn’t write him off quite yet!

[@FlameWingPhoenix]

Its widely acknowledged, that hes lazy he had the talent but didn't want to work on his game and couldn't take criticism

[@sambenjamin9636]

You should do Marian Gaborik, long interesting career with plenty of highlights. I'd like to see kinda what happened to him

[@dinodinoslav]

Injuries/health issues and gold digger girlfriend/wife...

[@sambenjamin9636]

@@dinodinoslav Gold digger wife? Isnt she a model with like hella followers?

[@dinodinoslav]

@@sambenjamin9636 She was never a model, she was one of the "professional dancer partners" for celebrities in Slovak version of "Dancing with stars". After that she dated multi millionaire/billionaire jr. (dumb son of very rich guy, one of the top ten richest Slovaks), after he dumped her, she "caught" poor Marian - he was not the same guy thereafter... She never really worked one day in her life, posting pictures on Instagram is not a job, just like dancing as teenager...

[@Jame5man]

Why does Sean Day look terminally unimpressed with everything in his action shots?

[@amoran5584]

lol I noticed that too

[@wifferstess2824]

I know your story is about a player who was given exceptional status at the junior level. What makes it hard and really sets the real pros from the the wannabes is the ability to handle But there's just as many guys who crashed out once they hit the pros because they weren't ready mentally, maturity, etc. Happens in any professional league. But I think the biggest fall from grace still has to be Ryan Leaf of the NFL.

[@telet7543]

Could you please do whatever happened to RJ Umberger?

[@AJR-zg2py]

Brian Campbell's shoulder. That's what happened.

[@telet7543]

AJR 1986 Yeah, Umberger was only out for a game which is surprising considering how bad of a concussion it looked like he had.

[@AJR-zg2py]

@@telet7543 There is no way he should have returned and I honestly believe he never truly recovered from that hit. His brain was turned to pudding after the Campbell hit.

[@AEMoreira81]

The Hard Times of RJ Umberger!

[@telet7543]

AJR 1986 I agree, I guess they didn’t have a very good understanding of concussions back then in hockey.

[@maxrcrypto]

Do what happened to Nashville Predators. They've declined every year since making the finals

[@josephd5715]

The exit of coaches Barry Trotz and Lane Lambert might be a factor?

[@UserName-ts3sp]

Joseph Dawson they didn’t go the cup with trotz

[@tommythe3rd964]

This guy is a defenseman, right? He's not expected to produce goals and points, although it is good to contribute. To judge the guy on goals, assists and points does not paint any kind of picture of how good or bad is he at his position. If he is a stay at home defenseman, these numbers are great, what's the plus minus look like?

[@ericveneto1593]

Yeah, he didn't mention his position until halfway through the video

[@youtubeislame8773]

Offense aside, his track record is not great for a kid who got exceptional status. Even if he is a defenseman. He wasn't ready for that jump to the ohl and it really negatively affected his playing career

[@AscendedXSaiyan]

You can judge a defenseman on those merits if they're an offensive minded defenseman, which Day was.

[@bluebear1985]

Since you mentioned the Orlando Solar Bears, you just reminded me of Jared Staal, who is presently an assistant coach with the team. He had too much pressure on him with his playing career, considering his three older brothers had already made the NHL, and all three were first round picks! Jared would be picked in the second round though. He spent only a brief period in the league, and would spend most of his time in the AHL and ECHL, with even one in the EIHL. At least he got to spend one NHL game playing on the same line as two of his brothers.

[@tjmmjt857]

Didn’t know Jared got into coaching good for him!

[@mggailitis7231]

I really enjoy these videos, but it's not fair at all to use the accumulation of points (or lack thereof) to the overall value of a defenceman. They're not there to score points.

[@tjmmjt857]

Facts, however his best aspect was his offensive upside he never was good defensively and once he got to tougher leagues his best aspect offense never materlized further

[@mattywatty5083]

Umm.... Elite skating, exceptional status defencemen are indeed expected to put up points bud, and lots of them. Why do you think every single team is hunting for that slick skating, shooting, passing, high scoring, stud D-man? (Pssst... It's so they can win Stanley Cups) Like, do you even hockey bro?

[@DeAngelo77]

I’m a Rangers fan, but I hope Day can carve out an NHL career. It’s not going to be with us. We have way too much depth (Fox, DeAngelo, Trouba, Lindgren, Miller, Lundkvist, Jones, Rykov, Robertson, Hajek, etc.), and unfortunately, Day’s upside is a #6 d-man on a bad team or a #7/8 on a good team. Hopefully I’m wrong and he becomes a good top 4 d-man wherever he goes, but it’s a stretch.

[@Domo604]

Great video but absurd amount of commercial interruptions (6 of them in a 20 minute video really?) perhaps double check the algorithms

[@pandaqc6237]

I think if he wasnt given exceptional status, he whould've developed better and maybe break into the NHL

[@tlevy1397]

He says StAAtis

[@justinfendelet8675]

there wasnt a rule in the WHL OR WCHL70s or 80s ....BLAINE FOAMRADAS AND GLEN GOODALL PLAYED IN 80S AT 14!! among others

[@GKEV604]

Heard he ate his way out of the league

[@TheHockeyMane5191]

Then you have brad lambert playing in the finnish Liga a men's league at 16

[@AEMoreira81]

European leagues allow professional players to start at 16. Players like Alex Ovechkin and Adam Larsson started playing professionally 3 years before their NHL draft eligibity. Lambert (who is Canadian-Finnish) isn't eligible to be drafted until 2022.

[@TheHockeyMane5191]

@@AEMoreira81 yeah I know dude? He's playing for Finland internationally

[@AntiSocialORIGINAL]

You made alot of EXCUSES..FOR THIS BUST.. but..maybe do a JORDAN TOOTOO story.. a NATIVE AND WHAT HE HAD TO OVERCOME. .the racism...the suicide of his own brother...etc. he had more to overcome

[@Maxthethird3]

Yeah I’m all for this

[@FireRayquaza24]

Why are you yelling

[@TheSkeletor612]

How is he a bust? He was a third rounder! Lol

[@AEMoreira81]

@@TheSkeletor612 -- He was granted exceptional status in the CHL (juniors). The list of players granted such, position, draft position and year (NHL), and stats as of the end of the 2019-20 season (for those not yet eligible, other details are given): 1. John Tavares, C (1st, 2009), 814 games, 345-424--769, -30 2. Aaron Ekblad, D (1st, 2014), 458 games, 71-141--212, +29 3. Connor McDavid, C (1st, 2015), 351 games, 162-307--469, +43 4. Sean Day, D (81st, 2016), 0 games (see video) 5. Joe Veleno, C (30th, 2018), 0 games (1 professional season completed with a bad Grand Rapids Griffins team) 6. Shane Wright, C (Eligible 2022) - was better than PPG with Kingston of the OHL last year as an OHL rookie 7. Connor Bedard, C (Eligible 2023) - was the first pick of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft with Regina, as a freshman with the West Vancouver Warriors (CSSHL), he put up 84 points in 36 games As you can see, with the exception of Ekblad and Day, all of those granted the status have been centers. Ekblad would probably have better stats if not for concussions early on in his career.

[@wayne3340]

I'll do you one worse. Ever heard of Patrick White? Canucks took him early in the 1st round. Straight to oblivion from there.

[@sylvainmercier3441]

Sorry bud but if I want goals I'm looking at winger not defensemen. Defensemen most important stat are +/-. No point being a defensemen if you get scored on every time your on the ice. So went you talk defense please give proper stat.

[@marcpell133]

If a 15 year old isn’t playing AAA hockey in Ontario he shouldn’t get exceptional status. No one can convince me AAA hockey in the states is at par, it just flat out isn’t.

[@glynnrobitaille5353]

That is completely wrong. For Day's age group, there were 2-3 (Honeybaked, Little Caesars, and maybe Compuware) Detroit area AAA teams that were widely considered the best teams in the world for the 98 birth year. They literally brought teams over from Russia because the regular US and Canadian competition was not good enough. This coming from direct experience, lol.

[@reyhaze5044]

Golrish is right

[@JN-yf6zj]

Sean Day? I want IGUADALA!!!!!

[@indianheadlogan]

More like the bad day story, amirite??

[@nathanvault1524]

Ntdp and ushl aren't major junior smh

[@Blue-dx4sd]

Uhh yeah they are

[@nathanvault1524]

@@Blue-dx4sd no no then aren't,they are true junior hockey. Major junior is the 3 leagues of the chl. The difference is that in major junior ncaa eligibility is lost where as in tier 1 2 and 3 juniors in the US and junior A and B in Canada eligibility is still kept after playing in the league because you are still considered an amateur. Simplest terms major junior leagues are professional regular juniors are amateurs (in the eyes of the ncaa)

[@bjnt92281]

Wanna bet he ends up in Seattle and lives up to the hype.

[@nickgratton551]

you dont bring up shit about the guys family has nothing to do with hockey or sean

[@kosmicwizard]

Ha, this guy doesn't even seem to know the difference forwards and defensemen.

[@Infoseek777]

Womp womp wommmmmppppp.......lol

[@Dripilize]

State us

[@wa2k99]

Typical ranger heartbreak

[@tjmmjt857]

What? Things have been pretty great for rangers lately.

[@k.s.7104]

This commentary is really a waste of time. His personal struggles aside what this piece totally fails to mention is that the transition from junior hockey to even the American League is very hard. The AHL is no cake walk even for good players coming from major junior. Most NHL prospects have to come through the AHL to earn their way and pay their dues. Many even have to spend time in the ECHL just to make the jump from junior or collegiate hockey to be able to even cut it at the AHL level. Again one has to look at Day's own determination to deal with his own personal issues and his own desire to square away his game to become an NHL mainstay. Is this video a really a fair assessment of how his career will turn out? Some guys hit roadblocks in their NHL path. Day clearly now has had a taste of the big show a couple times. His roster spot with Tampa's Syracuse Crunch has him right there with opportunities before him to take his career where HE wants looking forward. He has that pathway to an NHL career still in front of him. However his Junior career (its behind him now) turned out there is no shame tidying up your game at the AHL or even ECHL levels. Playing for Syracuse in the AHL means your opportunity is within reach, it's not a bad thing 👍.

[@JRKIXASS]

The narrator, who seems to know nothing about North American hockey is a chump. Sean Day is a player that was mismanaged from the start. He was nowhere near other "execptional talent". He is a big kid that can skate smooth, which is rare. Completely lacking in basic hockey skill, which is the reason for coaches. Had Cigar face Sather, and his boy Gorton not drafted him so high, he may have gone undrafted. This might have gave him a good kick in the ass for the next draft. If Day was half as good as advertised, why do the Rangers have 2 of the worst LD in the NHL in Smith and Staal? He would be ready to replace them by now. Maybe Tampa can get him going, but I think he will be in Orlando with Coach Berehowsky. And he will drive Blake nuts! That said, I hope it works for Day.

[@anonymousanonymous1338]

First I think

[@ziggymorris8760]

The Rangers have a history of horrible draft picks, but the NHL rigged a good one for them this draft.

[@HBKshowstopper]

Lately the Rangers have had some good picks (aside from Lias Anderson). Maybe the draft was rigged, but they haven't had a first overall pick since 1965 so they were overdue regardless.