BUFFALO

The NHL draft is more than a dream come true. It’s a fork in the road.

In the days following the biggest day of their lives later this month, some prospects will shift their focus to tackling this question: Where am I going to play hockey this fall?

Zach Werenski, a potential top 10 pick, is a perfect example. The Michigan Wolverines defenceman over the weekend admitted that he’s “open” to possibly leaving behind college hockey life for a chance to play major junior.

Development is paramount in a player’s late teens and Werenski’s future NHL team will have great influence on where he’ll be plying his trade during the 2015-16 season.

Werenski said he will not sign off on a transfer before the June 26 draft.

“I was really comfortable (in Michigan) and I had a good year,” the Grosse Point, Mich., native said at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. “I plan on going back as of now.”

However, if his new bosses recommend the Ontario Hockey League on the basis that it is a better fit than the NCAA, bet on Werenski switching squads.

“I think it’s always good to have options,” said Werenski, who doesn’t turn 18 until July. “I’m comfortable at Michigan, like I said, but I’m open to” reassessing.

The London Knights, who own his major-junior rights, have been pitching Werenski since drafting the two-way defenceman 24th overall in the 2013 OHL draft.

Zach Werenski says he's open to possibly coming to play for London in the OHL. — John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) June 6, 2015

Of course, not every prospect is willing to take a detour. Case in point: Another projected first-rounder was asked the same question at the Combine but firmly stated he has no intentions of jumping ship on the school route.

Unlike conflicted Werenski, Connor insists he’ll be following through with his commitment to college hockey over major junior, even if his future NHL team prefers the latter.

Different strokes for different folks.

“Nope,” forward Kyle Connor said Saturday when asked about potentially ditching the same program Werenski’s enrolled in at Michigan. “I’m going to university.”

Over the course of a week in Buffalo, 25 teams interviewed Connor. His whereabouts this fall was a topic of discussion in these meetings.

Connor, a speedy forward who racked up 34 goals and 80 points suiting up for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL this past season, has the option of joining the Saginaw Spirit. The OHL club snagged him in the 14th round of the 2013 draft.

Asked Kyle Connor (Sag Spirit property) if he'd consider ditching U of M for OHL if NHL team asked him to. "Nope. I'm going to university." — John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) June 6, 2015

“It had a lot to do with growing up in Michigan,” he said of choosing to catch on at the storied Wolverines program headed by legendary coach Red Berenson.

Werenski, who met with 20 teams during Combine week, more than held his own this past season, scoring nine goals and 25 points in 35 games for the Wolverines.

He’s described by scouts as a mobile, puck-mover and is widely considered the third-best defenceman in the draft class behind Noah Hanifin and Ivan Provorov.

In person, you can't help but notice Werenski’s imposing frame. At 6-foot-2, 206 pounds, he’s a truck. A year working out with 20-somethings played a factor.

“A lot of thought (went) into the decision I made,” he said of fast-tracking. “I was just confident enough to play college hockey and mature enough to go to college and handle everything that came with it.”

Werenski is a unique case. He took five summer classes after Grade 11 in order to qualify for college a year earlier than his peers.

Despite being born eight months later than Connor, Werenski has given himself a head start, having already completed his freshman year of college.

But now, with an NCAA season in the rear-view mirror, the prospect factory that is London has emerged as a legitimate option.

The Knights have made a habit of convincing college players, agents and NHL teams that they offer a more streamlined development model highlighted by a pro-like schedule and a history of success.

Recently, they netted Matt Tkachuk, son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk, as well as Max Jones. Both were originally college-bound, both are ranked high for the 2016 NHL draft and both know Werenski well.

Tkachuk and Werenski’s draft classmate Mitch Marner, who came second in OHL scoring this season as a member of the Knights, “are trying to persuade” the Wolverine to jump ship, according to Werenski.

“I’m just going to take it day by day,” he said, “and after the draft I’ll think about it more.”

Two 2014 first-rounders, Columbus Blue Jackets picks Sonny Milano and Peter Quenneville, were in the same boat last year.

Milano (Boston College) played this past season for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL while Quenneville (Quinnipiac) became a member of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.

Don’t be surprised this fall if at least one top prospect takes the major-junior route at the fork in the road.

“I’m just going to make the best decision for me,” Werenski said.

RULES OF ASSIGNMENT

Why is Top Prospect X playing in Development League Y? Let us explain.

A prospect who does not make the NHL the season after being drafted has a number of options.

The NHL team often will strongly suggest a destination they see as most beneficial to the prospect's development.

But it is not a black-and-white decision. There’s murky waters to wade through.

For instance, a player cannot be assigned to the American Hockey League unless A) he is 20 or B) he has not played in North America. Therefore, a 19-year-old Canadian Hockey League player must either go back to his major-junior team, or get loaned to a European pro team.

Another technicality: A player cannot transfer from the CHL to the NCAA because the college loop considers major junior to be “professional”, thus voiding the prospect's “amateur athlete” status.

John.Matisz@sunmedia.ca

@MatiszJohn