from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,

Jack Rathbone put up 31 points in his 28 games as a sophomore defenseman for Harvard this past season, and the Crimson had every reason to be excited about him returning to campus in the fall.

All of that joy was swept away this past week when Rathbone, 21, opted to turn pro with Vancouver, the club that drafted him 95th overall in 2017. No telling if he sticks in Vancouver, but he certainly won’t be hanging around the Square anymore.

Don’t be surprised if more Division 1 programs suffer a talent drain in the coming weeks, with more schools and leagues undoubtedly delaying starts or potentially canceling seasons outright because of the pandemic.

It’s hard enough for teenagers and young twentysomethings to remain patient and delay signing bonuses and the start of their career paths to fame and fortune. Now a substantial number of them, if leagues pull the plug for 2020-21, are left to wonder how their games will develop if they are forced to miss a season.

more and other topics too...