In a landmark decision that sent shockwaves through the hockey world, the NCAA Division I council voted Thursday to make Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players eligible for NCAA Division I hockey starting in 2025. The ruling, which goes into effect on August 1, 2025, has the potential to dramatically reshape the talent landscape in both college and major junior hockey.
Previously, the NCAA had deemed anyone who played in the CHL—comprised of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—as ineligible because some players in those leagues had signed NHL contracts. CHL players also receive a small monthly stipend, which was against NCAA amateurism rules.
New Doors Open for Young Hockey Talent
The rule change means that starting in 2025, players can compete in the CHL without losing their NCAA eligibility, as long as they are not “paid more than actual and necessary expenses.” This opens up exciting new possibilities for young hockey players looking to keep their options open.
“We believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers following their time in the CHL,” the CHL said in a statement.
The decision effectively drops the NCAA’s long-standing view of the CHL as a “professional” league, albeit with strict rules around player compensation to maintain amateurism status. The NCAA has clarified that “necessary expenses” cover costs essential for hockey participation, such as:
- Meals and lodging
- Transportation
- Equipment and supplies
- Coaching and ice time fees
- Health insurance and medical treatment
Mixed Reactions from NCAA Coaches
The reactions from NCAA coaches have been mixed. Some worry that the rule change could lead elite players to choose the CHL over NCAA commitments. In the past, the NCAA eligibility rules had pushed some top Canadian prospects to play college hockey.
“It has forced kids’ hands at an early age to decide which path they want to take,” noted WHL commissioner Dan Near.
However, others see the move as creating a deeper, more competitive talent pool for NCAA hockey. In recent years, several NHL stars have emerged from the NCAA ranks, including 2021 No. 1 pick Owen Power out of Michigan and 2022 playoff MVP Cale Makar, who played at UMass.
Antitrust Lawsuit May Have Forced NCAA’s Hand
The impetus for the rule change may have come from legal pressure. In August, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed against the NCAA on behalf of CHL players, alleging that the NCAA’s CHL prohibition amounted to an illegal “group boycott” under antitrust laws.
The NCAA had previously identified this as a potential legal vulnerability. Rather than battle it out in court, allowing CHL players became the prudent path forward.
Looking Ahead to a New Era
As the hockey world digests this seismic shift, many questions remain. How will the CHL and NCAA adapt their recruiting pitch to players? Will more Canadians choose the NCAA route, or will college teams aggressively scout CHL talent? Could this lead to a bidding war via “necessary expenses”? Time will tell.
One thing is certain: the hockey development landscape will look very different come 2025. Junior players now have new options to carefully consider as they chase their hockey dreams. Where those dreams take them—whether to the grand college hockey stage or the gritty proving grounds of the CHL—the road ahead has taken an intriguing new turn.
