NCAA Now Accepting CHL Players into Division I Competition

“The effective date for this rule change is August 1, 2025. CHL players remain eligible to compete at NCAA Division III hockey; any CHL player was previously disqualified by the NCAA as it included players signed professional contracts by NHL clubs playing there. CHL players receive a monthly stipend that’s capped at $250. As per NCAA Bylaw 12.2.3.2, any individual who previously competed on an professional team shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics in that sport. “Despite changes to the rule, players who sign NHL contracts and then return to the CHL are ineligible for NCAA Division I hockey competition. Players may still participate in NHL training camps – provided those teams do not pay “beyond actual and necessary expenses. “In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Canadian Hockey League expressed support for rule changes governing hockey practices. “While we will take time to review this rule change thoroughly, we believe this to be a positive development that will give CHL players more opportunities to continue both their hockey and academic careers beyond their time in the league,” reads a statement issued by Hockey Canada. “This legislation will give young players and their families more choices when selecting a development path for themselves, including opening up more players worldwide to participate in the Canadian Hockey League — one of the top development leagues for 16-20 players globally. “This decision should send shockwaves through both the NCAA and CHL.” Though dropping restrictions would expand NCAA hockey talent pools across-the-board, some NCAA coaches remain concerned that elite talent might opt out and switch over to Canadian major junior hockey instead of university hockey due to reduced pressure of losing eligibility if they opt not to sign their NCAA contract. WHL Commissioner Dan Near recently told ESPN: “This situation has forced children’s hands at an early age to decide their path of travel,” noting former NHL stars Paul Kariya (Hockey Hall-of-Famer) and Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews were Canadian-born players who chose NCAA over professional hockey. Since 2016, 15 Canadian college athletes who were taken first overall at the NHL draft include Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar (UMass), Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (2021 No.1) from Michigan (Buffalo Sabres), 2024 No.3 Kyle Field. Macklin Celebrini of Boston University was selected by the San Jose Sharks with their No.1 selection as Macklin Celebrini had strict compensatory guidelines in his contract agreement with them. According to this NCAA ruling, CHL can no longer be classified as professional but must follow specific compensation protocols in terms of player benefits. The NCAA defines necessary expenses as expenses “that are necessary or required for participation in practice or competition, such as meals, lodging, transportation costs, apparel purchases for practice and competition, supplies required by coaches for coaching sessions as well as equipment purchases necessary for practice or competition, entry fees as well as medical coverage (health insurance).” Rules include any apparel the player may receive after being selected in the Canadian Hockey League draft. As per NCAA ruling, to maintain eligibility in NCAA competition an individual should return or pay back any celebratory items sent them by professional clubs which drafted them, according to CHL ruling. Teams and coaches alike had long anticipated this change between these leagues — especially since name, image and likeness rules were relaxed under NCAA membership in 2021. Anyone passionate about hockey and developmental leagues has likely taken note of what’s been transpiring within the North Island League and Transfer Portal spaces, trying to gauge its consequences on future growth of junior hockey players,” Near stated. “This could be seen as the start of something bigger. Supporters of changing NCAA CHL eligibility rules pointed to well-compensated athletes in other sports – like Olympic swimmers – who maintained eligibility while remaining paid athletes. Therefore, an anticipated class action suit against the NCAA wasn’t unexpected.” In 2023, upon reviewing its policies and examining possible “group boycott” threats from Canadian junior players, the NCAA identified legal vulnerability regarding such boycotting strategies. As per Arizona State University Division I program policy, all WHL teams were subject to this rule until it was officially dropped before filing of this suit in September by Braxton Whitehead of Regina Pats of WHL for 2025-26 season from ASU division I program – this being first such commitment since a proposed class action suit was filed against them by players involved. Whitehead told ESPN at the time: “[ASU’s slogan is] ‘Be the Tradition,’ so I think they love me being an innovator throughout this process and forging ahead in NCAA and CHL relations,” Whitehead explained at that time. She remains optimistic that rules changes will take effect prior to 2025-26 season. Ryan S Clark contributed greatly towards this report.