Logic suggests DI college hockey adherence to NHL sized ice and to rules and their enforcement modeled after NHL standards all contribute to schools recruiting players whose goal is getting to the NHL, makes these players more attractive to the NHL, and expedites the departure of these athletes from colleges and universities. These are not the only causes of a rash of early departures. Recruiting athletes who lack the academic preparation or the desire necessary for academic success probably contributes to early departures. Huge salary increases enjoyed by NHL players are likely another contributing factor to early departure.
I suggested that college hockey emulating NHL [or major junior] ice size, rules, and rules enforcement would probably contribute to the early departure rate. I never claimed early departures varied directly with ice surface area, or even that ice sheet size is a necessary condition for an early departure, although such a claim would certainly legitimize your request for statistics. If you wish to seek objective evidence of causes leading to early departures I suggest you first investigate the changes in NHL signing bonuses and player contracts over the past few years, and an investigation into any changes in academic standards for admission and for scholarships might be enlightening.
