Tempe, Arizona – In a significant move that could reshape college hockey, the NCAA Division I Council is considering a proposal that would allow players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to compete at U.S. colleges. This proposal was introduced on Tuesday and is scheduled for discussion at the council’s meeting in November. If approved, this change would take effect on August 1, 2024.
The proposal focuses specifically on allowing CHL players to participate in NCAA hockey, provided they do not receive any pay beyond actual and necessary expenses associated with their involvement. Josh Whitman, the chair of the council and athletic director at Illinois, remarked that this initiative aligns hockey more closely with other NCAA sports regarding allowable pre-enrollment activities.
This development follows a class-action lawsuit filed on August 13 in Buffalo, New York, which challenges the NCAA’s previous ban on players from the CHL’s Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Attorney Stephen Lagos, involved in the lawsuit, expressed hope that the NCAA would take action to end the ban during the upcoming meetings, stating, “We believe that all players, and hockey more generally, would benefit from this change.”
The potential change in NCAA regulations could increase competition for college-age talent between the CHL and the NCAA, which are both major contributors to the NHL draft pool. Moreover, lifting the ban may lead to a wave of Canadian players joining NCAA programs, possibly displacing some American players. Riley Masterson, a player invoked in the lawsuit, saw his eligibility vanish after participating in two exhibition games for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires at the age of 16.
Recent reports indicate that the NCAA has not yet responded to the lawsuit. In a related development, Braxton Whitehead has become the first CHL player to commit to an NCAA Division I hockey program, opting to join Arizona State University. Whitehead plans to play for the WHL Regina Pats this season and is set to join the Sun Devils in the 2025-26 season. Notably, CHL players typically receive a stipend of no more than $600 per month for living expenses, which is not classified as income for tax purposes.
The changes ahead could have a lasting impact on the landscape of college hockey, shifting the dynamics of player recruitment and eligibility in the sport.
