Justin Bourne is the son of a New York Islanders legend and an accomplished player in his own right. In the past two years, however, he has made an even bigger name for himself in journalism, covering hockey with insight reserved for those who have played the game at a high level.

After writing for USA Today, Yahoo! and other publications, Bourne launched Backhand Shelf, a blog on TheScore.com, this season. Late last week the former Alaska Anchorage forward used his blog to explain the decision-making process he went through when he decided to pursue college hockey. He takes readers to Kelowna Rockets camp and his decision not to play in a WHL exhibition game.

I played Junior B hockey that winter, led my conference in points (beating Chuck Kobasew’s team record), and finished second overall in the league to Andrew Ebbett. That summer, I signed a card with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL, trained my butt off, and committed to earning that scholarship.

I scored 131 points over my 120 game Junior A career, and we won a BCHL title. After fly-down visits to three different NCAA schools, I accepted a full Div. 1 scholarship (to the University of Alaska Anchorage) just like my family had hoped – just like I had hoped.

So here I sit, with a primary education in hockey, but a different title on my business card, and I couldn’t be happier. I got an education (an education your love of hockey forces you to get, if you want to play), found my best friends and really, myself. College was an experience I can’t explain, an experience I’d never give back. I was fortunate to have the opportunity. (I was more fortunate that I lived with guys capable of installing a keg-orator line from the garage to the kitchen sink, giving us water taps labelled hot, cold and beer.)

When most players have to make the decision between major junior and college, they take what they can get. Most don’t reject one for the other; their talents, age and size direct them one way or the other. Only a lucky few get to choose.

Click here for the full story. It's worth a read for any prospect considering their options.