[News] NCAA allows CHL players effective Aug 1, 2025

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by devo22

could easily see this kill both USHL and BCHL in the long run. Wasn't their path to NCAA their biggest selling point? Hard to see them being relevant going forward.

Yes, for some elite players.

But most players are in the BCHL and USHL because they cannot make Tier 1.

There is still largely the same number of players for the same number of leagues.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Doesn't CHL have rules limiting the number of non-Canadian players?

CHL import rules only apply for players that don't have citizenship or PR status in Canada or the US.

If the CHL adds top teams from the USHL, they shouldn't have an issue with US players flooding training camps and rosters of Canadian teams

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Zoller

CHL to NCAA will be a very attractive option for athletes

In light of this the upcoming CBA should make a point of making it more difficult for players to use the NCAA to skip teams that they were drafted to.

[Funkhouser]

Ideal scenarios for NHL

Ownership of rights and NHL contracts:
-permit NCAA players to sign their entry level contracts (but defer payment to a trust), and play in prospect tournaments
-give teams 4 years control of all draftees, regardless of league. Upon expiry of control, players can re-enter the draft. If undrafted, they are UFAs.

Eligibility for the AHL
-NHL teams cannot send D+1 prospects to the AHL - players must return to a CHL/NCAA team of their choosing
-NHL teams have the option to send D+2 prospects to the AHL or return to a CHL/NCAA team of their choosing


This would essentially make the CHL the top league for players 15-19, and the NCAA the top league for players 18-22.
From a business model, it would be wise for the CHL, USHL, BCHL to consolidate and create a NA junior league.
It would also be wise for Canadian USports to join the NCAA.

[Bubba17]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

unfortunately, this new rule does not allow for college players to sign NHL contracts but continue playing in the NCAA

Silly and arbitrary. 'Pro' players (players paid to play) from European junior leagues are eligible for NCAA.

This seems so weird to me. NCAA players in all sports can sign NIL deals for millions of dollars but because they sign NHL deals they are not allowed to play. Can someone explain the difference?

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by boogerz

CHL import rules only apply for players that don't have citizenship or PR status in Canada or the US.

If the CHL adds top teams from the USHL, they shouldn't have an issue with US players flooding training camps and rosters of Canadian teams

Oh OK this would probably not limit many players at all then. The USHL has done a very good job of producing players that get drafted by NHL teams, so perhaps a merger of sorts would create an amazing developmental environment?

[sureLoss]

Looks like a lot of players are now leaving the BCHL. For those that don't understand the BCHL left the Hockey Canada umbrella a couple of years ago. BCHL players that want to transfer to a Hockey Canada affiliated league need to be reinstated by Hockey Canada.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1857124367752437994

https://twitter.com/user/status/1857441561405014356

[Reggie Dunlop]

I wonder if the AJHL will take their defector teams back? LOL

[socktape]

I wonder if this will also affect the rules regarding sponsorship etc. in the near future. This has been more of an issue in other sports such as basketball and football. If you are an international student your visa won't allow you to earn income. The new sponsorship structure that the ncaa has only applies to US students. Something to also consider if you are in a position to profit from your playing for a university or CHL team.

[chedder]

I know a few 19 year olds in the whl who thought it was either off to Canadian university or try for Europe pro leagues. They are now looking at full rides at prominent NCAA hockey schools for next fall.

I think the CHL will now have all of the best 16-18 year olds who will then go to college in the us if they have any sort of scholastic aptitude.

The worst off after this are Canadian university hockey programs. The talent level is going to drop a fair bit. Maybe not the end of the world. It'll end up like Canadian usports football.

[sureLoss]

on HNIC Friedman says that OHL has voted to add Muskegon and Youngstown from the USHL but USA Hockey has indicated it will not give permission for the two teams to join the OHL. So things are in limbo right now.

[Groot]

So how does this change affect someone like Zayne Parekh or the Flames? He's not AHL eligible for another season after this, but with the new rule cannot play in NCAA next year as he's signed his entry level contract. Will those motivate players to delay signing an ELC? Does that put a bigger risk of players like Parekh opting out of signing their contract so they can play against better competitors in the NCAA?

[Sample00]

How will this affect an independent league such as the USPHL's NCDC.

https://www.ncdchockey.com/about-history

They have many NCAA commitments in the past and are now looking at making strides into Canada. The USPHL Premier Division has already entered into the Quebec and Ontario markets.

Recently there has been a discussion about the NCDC division entering Alberta and possibly British Columbia.

https://x.com/ReviewOfHockey/status/1867309083864252539

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Groot

So how does this change affect someone like Zayne Parekh or the Flames? He's not AHL eligible for another season after this, but with the new rule cannot play in NCAA next year as he's signed his entry level contract. Will those motivate players to delay signing an ELC? Does that put a bigger risk of players like Parekh opting out of signing their contract so they can play against better competitors in the NCAA?

Well the NHL/CHL agreement that prevents 18/19 year olds from playing in the AHL is designed to protect CHL teams from losing star players to the AHL. But if the a lot of top prospects will use this to bypass the agreement, maybe the NHL/CHL agreement is modified to allow them to go to the AHL.

Originally Posted by Sample00

How will this affect an independent league such as the USPHL's NCDC.

https://www.ncdchockey.com/about-history

They have many NCAA commitments in the past and are now looking at making strides into Canada. The USPHL Premier Division has already entered into the Quebec and Ontario markets.

Recently there has been a discussion about the NCDC division entering Alberta and possibly British Columbia.

https://x.com/ReviewOfHockey/status/1867309083864252539

Most likely less NCAA scholarships will be offered to players in this league. They will instead be given to CHL players.

[Iniggywetrust]

The Penticton Vees, who have been a perennial powerhouse are rumoured to be folding and a new WHL franchise is coming to the city. Most likely fall out from the NCAA decision.

[Lubicon]

Fallout from the decision has begun. BCHL has lost 37 players (and counting) to the CHL since the decision came down and it trickles down, some AJHL players continue to leave for the BCHL as spots open up.

https://bchlnetwork.ca/crunching-the...junior-hockey/

https://www.rmoutlook.com/local-spor...-club-10032185

[sureLoss]

USHL asking for $50k transfer fee for players wanting to join CHL

https://twitter.com/user/status/1882105257053839588

[Aarongavey]

What happens to Mews status with the Flames when he goes NCAA next year? Do the Flames have 4 years to sign him then? Can he become a UFA by just staying for his 4th year in the NCAA or does he go back in the draft in 2026 if he is not signed.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

What happens to Mews status with the Flames when he goes NCAA next year? Do the Flames have 4 years to sign him then? Can he become a UFA by just staying for his 4th year in the NCAA or does he go back in the draft in 2026 if he is not signed.

Is the Mews thing confirmed?

I'm not sure, but I think because he was drafted out of the CHL, that CHL rules about re-entering the draft would apply, if he was unsigned after 2 years.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Is the Mews thing confirmed?

I'm not sure, but I think because he was drafted out of the CHL, that CHL rules about re-entering the draft would apply, if he was unsigned after 2 years.

What's the "Mews thing"? Are you guys mixing up Jamieson and Mews or did I miss something?